By Tania Gordon, Owner of MJM Cleaning Services — Wayzata, MN
The Short Answer
Move out cleaning is a thorough, top-to-bottom cleaning of a home or apartment after you’ve moved your belongings out, designed to return the property to a move-in-ready condition before you hand over the keys. It’s more intensive than a standard cleaning and focuses specifically on the areas landlords, property managers, and buyers inspect most closely — inside appliances, inside cabinets, baseboards, grout, and every surface that shows how the home was treated during your time there.
Move in cleaning is the same type of service from the other direction: a deep sanitization of the space before you unpack, making sure someone else’s dust, residue, and history are gone before your family settles in.
Both are common in the Minnetonka and Lake Minnetonka area, and I’ve done hundreds of each. Here’s what they actually involve, what they cost, and what you should know before you book one.
Why This Guide Exists
Most articles about move out cleaning were written by national moving companies or booking platforms that have never cleaned a house in Minnesota. They give you a generic checklist and a national price range.
That’s not what you need when you’re sitting in an empty house in Minnetonka, keys due tomorrow, wondering whether to clean it yourself or call someone. You need someone who has stood in that situation hundreds of times and can tell you what matters, what doesn’t, and what your landlord is actually going to check.
Move Out Cleaning vs. Move In Cleaning: Same Work, Different Purpose
People search for both of these terms, and I want to be clear about how they relate.
A move out clean is for the person leaving. The goal is to meet lease requirements, protect your security deposit, and leave the property in a condition that won’t trigger deduction charges.
A move in clean is for the person arriving. Even if the previous tenant hired a cleaning service, you don’t know how thorough it was. A move in cleaning service gives you confidence that every surface is genuinely clean before your family unpacks.
The physical work is similar, but the priorities shift. A move out clean focuses on areas landlords scrutinize: oven interiors, cabinet interiors, bathroom grout, baseboards. A move in clean focuses more on sanitization, because you’re preparing a space for someone to live in. In both cases, the cleaning is performed on an empty or near-empty property, which is what makes the work thorough in a way that cleaning around furniture never can be.
Move Out Cleaning vs. Deep Cleaning: Not Exactly the Same Thing
This question comes up constantly, and the existing answers online are vague. Let me settle it.
A move out clean is a type of deep clean, but they’re not identical.
A regular deep clean happens in an occupied home. Furniture is in place, closets are full. The focus is on detailed cleaning of surfaces and areas neglected during routine maintenance. It works around your life and your things.
A move out clean happens in an empty home. With nothing in the way, we reach every surface, every corner, every baseboard that’s been behind a couch for three years. The focus shifts toward areas that matter for property handover — inside every cabinet, every appliance, window tracks, closet shelves, door frames. These are things a landlord will open, inspect, and check.
Think of it this way: a deep clean gets your home cleaner than normal maintenance allows. A move out clean gets the property back to a blank slate. Same level of effort, different context and priority list.
What Is Included in Move Out Cleaning — Room by Room
I’m going to walk through this the way I’d walk through an empty house with my team, explaining what we’re about to do and why.
Kitchen
The kitchen is the room that triggers more deposit deductions than any other. It’s where landlords look hardest and where the most time-intensive work happens.
We start with the oven. Inside the oven is the single most common deduction item I see on deposit statements in this market. Baked-on grease and carbonized food drippings don’t come off with a quick wipe. Our team pulls the racks, treats the interior, and scrubs until the oven looks like it did at move-in. The range hood and its filters get the same treatment — that greasy film that builds up over months of cooking is one of the things landlords notice immediately.
We clean the inside of the refrigerator and freezer, including shelves, drawers, and door seals. We open every cabinet and drawer and wipe them inside and out. Countertops, backsplash, sink and faucet, dishwasher interior, exterior of all appliances, light switches, outlet covers, baseboards, and the floor.
When someone asks “what is move in kitchen cleaning,” this is it. The same work performed for the person arriving rather than the person leaving. The difference is that for a move in clean, we’re also paying extra attention to sanitization — you’re about to prepare food in this space.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are the second most scrutinized area in a landlord walkthrough.
We clean the toilet inside and out, which includes behind the tank, around the base, and under the rim. These are the spots DIY movers miss most often, and they’re the spots landlords crouch down to check. Shower and tub get a full scrub — tile grout, caulk lines, glass doors or curtain rods, the drain, and any soap scum or hard water staining. Sink, vanity, and mirror. Inside all bathroom cabinets and drawers. Exhaust fan cover, light fixtures, baseboards, floor including grout lines, and all hardware like towel bars and toilet paper holders.
For anyone searching “what is move in bathroom cleaning,” this is the answer. When you’re moving into a space, the bathroom is the room you want cleaned most carefully because it’s where hygiene matters most. We sanitize every surface your family will touch.
Bedrooms and Living Areas
With the rooms empty, the work here is about the details that show. Inside all closets — shelves, rods, the floor. Ceiling fan blades, which accumulate a thick layer of dust that only becomes visible when the room is cleared out. Window sills and tracks, which collect dead insects, dust, and debris that go unnoticed when curtains are up. Baseboards along every wall. Door frames and the tops of doors, which almost nobody cleans during normal living. Light switches and outlet covers. Interior side of all windows.
For carpeted rooms, we vacuum thoroughly. But I want to be honest about something: carpet stains that are ground in over years of living often can’t be removed by cleaning alone. If there’s a stain that won’t come out, that may cross the line from a cleaning issue into a damage issue, and I’d rather tell you that upfront than let you expect a move out clean to solve it. Carpet cleaning is a separate service, and sometimes replacement is what the landlord will require regardless. Knowing that distinction can save you from a frustrating conversation about your deposit.
Laundry and Utility Spaces
The washer drum gets wiped out and deodorized. Dryer lint trap and the area around it. Behind the washer and dryer if they’re accessible. Shelving in utility closets or rooms. Floors swept and mopped.
Garage and Storage Areas (If Applicable)
Many Minnetonka homes have attached garages or storage areas that are part of the property handover. We sweep the floor, remove cobwebs, wipe down shelving, and clean light fixtures. Oil stains on a garage floor are another one of those damage-vs-cleaning situations. Some can be treated, some can’t. We’ll tell you which you’re dealing with.
The Spots Landlords Actually Flag: My “Landlord Radar” List
I’ve seen enough deposit deduction lists from Minnetonka-area property managers to know exactly which spots get flagged most often. Here are the five areas that professionals catch and DIY movers almost always miss.
The inside of the oven. I’ve said it already, but it bears repeating — this is deduction number one, by a wide margin. Most people look at the outside of the oven, see it looks fine, and close the door. Open it. If there’s burned-on residue, you’re getting charged.
The range hood filter. Pull it out. If it’s coated in a sticky, amber-colored grease layer, the landlord will see it. Most people don’t even know this filter is removable.
The top of the refrigerator and the baseboard behind it. When the fridge is gone, the wall and floor behind it tell a story. Grease splatter, dust buildup, sometimes food debris that fell behind years ago. We pull appliances and clean behind them as part of our standard move out service.
Window tracks. Nobody thinks about window tracks until the property manager runs a finger along one during the walkthrough and comes up with a line of black grime. We clean tracks, sills, and the interior glass.
Bathroom grout, especially in the shower. Mildew-stained grout between tiles is one of the most visible signs of deferred cleaning. It’s also one of the most satisfying things to fix with the right products and technique. Landlords see it immediately.
What Is a Move Out Cleaning Fee?
If you’ve searched this term, it probably means one of two things happened.
Scenario one: You’re a renter looking to hire a professional cleaning service before you hand over your keys. In this case, the “move out cleaning fee” is simply the cost of the service — what you pay MJM or another cleaning company to do the work. It’s a proactive expense that protects your deposit. In the Minnetonka area, that runs $300 to $450 for a standard-sized home and $200 to $320 for an apartment or condo.
Scenario two: You’ve already moved out, didn’t clean (or didn’t clean thoroughly enough), and your landlord has deducted a “cleaning fee” from your security deposit. This is a penalty charge, and it’s usually higher than what you’d have paid a professional service, because the landlord is now hiring someone at short notice, adding their own coordination time, and may inflate the charge beyond what the cleaning actually cost.
The smarter move is always scenario one. Hiring a professional move out cleaning service before your walkthrough costs less than the deposit deduction, and you get to keep control of the process.
I’ve worked both sides of this. I’ve cleaned for renters protecting their deposits and for property managers dealing with tenants who left without cleaning. The deposit deduction is almost always more than our service fee would have been.
Move Out Cleaning in Minnetonka: What Makes This Market Different
Not every market is the same, and Minnetonka’s housing stock creates specific dynamics that national pricing guides don’t capture.
Homes here are larger than the national average. A 2,500 to 4,000 square foot home is common, which means move out cleans take longer and cost more than the $150 to $200 national guides quote. When your quote comes in higher, it’s because your home is bigger than what those averages are based on.
Lake homes around Lake Minnetonka have their own considerations — seasonal humidity, homes closed up during the off-season, and dock storage areas that all add to the scope.
The west metro also has a high concentration of luxury rentals and executive housing serving corporate relocations. Landlord expectations for these properties are exacting. A quick wipe-down won’t pass inspection.
Timing matters too. May through June and October through November are the heaviest move periods in Minnetonka. End-of-month slots fill fast. Booking two to four weeks out is ideal.
Real Pricing for Move Out Cleaning in Minnetonka (2026)
These are the real numbers for this market, not national averages:
| Service | Minnetonka Area Price |
|---|---|
| Standard move-out clean (2,000–2,500 sq ft) | $300–$450 |
| Large home or lake property (3,000+ sq ft) | $450–$650+ |
| Apartment or condo (under 1,200 sq ft) | $200–$320 |
| Add-on: Inside oven deep clean | +$40–$60 |
| Add-on: Inside refrigerator deep clean | +$30–$50 |
| Add-on: Interior window cleaning | +$50–$100 |
MJM’s pricing is flat-rate with all supplies included. No surprise fees. Carpet cleaning is a separate service and quoted independently.
Logistics: The Questions You Have at Midnight
I know who’s reading this. You’re probably in the middle of packing, your keys are due soon, and you’re trying to figure out if you can handle this yourself or if you need to call someone. Here are the answers to the real questions.
Do I need to be there? No. We coordinate key access all the time — whether that’s a lockbox code, a key left with a neighbor, or meeting us at the property to hand off keys. You do not need to be present while we clean.
Should furniture be out first? Yes, always. Cleaning around furniture means missing exactly the spots your landlord will check — behind the couch, under the bed, the baseboards hidden by dressers. Move first, then clean.
When should I book? Ideally two to four weeks before your move-out date. End-of-month slots in Minnetonka fill quickly, especially during summer and fall move seasons. Last-minute bookings are sometimes possible but not guaranteed.
How long does it take? For most homes in this area, three to six hours. Large homes or properties that haven’t been professionally cleaned in a while can take eight to ten hours. We give you a time estimate when we quote the job.
What if my landlord does the walkthrough the same day I move out? Book the cleaning for the day before. Not the same day. You need a buffer for the team to work without time pressure and for any touch-ups if needed.
Can MJM provide before and after photos? Yes. We offer documentation that you can share with your landlord or property manager. For deposit protection, having photographic evidence of the property’s condition after professional cleaning is valuable.
When Move Out Cleaning Isn’t Optional
Sometimes a professional move out clean is a choice. Other times it’s effectively required.
Many luxury rental properties in Minnetonka include lease clauses requiring professional cleaning at move out, sometimes with a receipt as proof. If your lease has this language, a DIY effort won’t satisfy the requirement.
There are also situations where a DIY attempt won’t meet the standard. If you haven’t professionally cleaned the oven in two years, or the shower grout has visible mildew, or there’s a grease layer on the range hood that requires professional degreasing, household spray cleaners and paper towels won’t get the job done.
And I’ll be honest about the flip side: sometimes what a landlord calls a “cleaning issue” is actually damage. Cigarette burns on carpet, deep scratches in hardwood, water staining from a leak — those aren’t cleaning problems. If your landlord is deducting for damage and labeling it as a cleaning fee, knowing the difference protects you. Hiring a professional who can document the property’s condition after cleaning gives you evidence to push back on unfair deductions.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between move out cleaning and deep cleaning?
Move out cleaning is a category of deep cleaning performed on an empty or near-empty property, with specific focus on the areas landlords and property managers inspect during walkthroughs: inside appliances, inside cabinets and drawers, baseboards, grout, window tracks, and door frames. A standard deep clean happens in an occupied home and works around furniture and belongings. The level of effort is similar, but a move out clean is focused on returning the property to a blank-slate condition for handover, while a deep clean is focused on refreshing a home you’re currently living in.
What does move out cleaning include?
A professional move out cleaning includes inside the oven and all appliances, inside the refrigerator and freezer, inside all cabinets and drawers, countertops and backsplash, sink and faucet cleaning, full bathroom scrubbing including toilet, shower, tub, grout, and mirrors, closet interiors, ceiling fan blades, baseboards throughout the home, window sills and tracks, light switches and outlet covers, door frames, and thorough floor cleaning in every room. Specific add-on services like interior window cleaning, carpet cleaning, and behind-appliance cleaning may be included or quoted separately depending on the company.
What is a move out cleaning fee?
A move out cleaning fee refers to one of two things: the cost a renter pays to hire a professional cleaning service before handing over keys (typically $200 to $450 in the Minnetonka area depending on home size), or a charge deducted from a security deposit by a landlord when a tenant leaves without adequately cleaning the property. The deposit deduction is almost always higher than the cost of hiring a professional service proactively.
How long does move out cleaning take?
For a standard 2,000 to 2,500 square foot home in the Minnetonka area, a professional move out clean typically takes three to six hours. Larger homes (3,000+ square feet) or properties in poor condition may require eight to ten hours. The time depends on the home’s size, the number of bathrooms, and how long it’s been since the property was last professionally cleaned.
Do I need to be present for move out cleaning?
No. Most professional cleaning companies, including MJM Cleaning Services, can coordinate key access through lockboxes, key handoffs, or meeting at the property. You do not need to be present during the cleaning. Many clients schedule their move out clean for a day when they’re finalizing their move to the new property.
Is move out cleaning worth it to get my deposit back?
In most cases, yes. A professional move out clean in Minnetonka costs $200 to $450 depending on the property, while security deposit deductions for cleaning frequently run $300 to $800 or more. Hiring a professional service also gives you documentation of the property’s condition after cleaning, which is valuable if a landlord attempts to deduct for issues beyond normal cleaning. The cost of the service is almost always less than what you’d lose from your deposit.
About the Author
Tania Gordon is the owner of MJM Cleaning Services, a family-owned cleaning company based in Wayzata, MN. She and her team have performed hundreds of move-in and move-out cleans across Minnetonka, Plymouth, Orono, Medina, and the Lake Minnetonka area, working with renters, homeowners, property managers, and real estate agents throughout the west metro.
If you’re moving in or out of a home in Minnetonka, Wayzata, Plymouth, or the Lake Minnetonka area, MJM can handle the cleaning so you can focus on everything else. We bring all supplies, offer flexible scheduling and key-access coordination, and can provide before-and-after photo documentation for your records. Book your move-out or move-in clean here, or call us at 800-999-9084.
