Professional house cleaning checklist (printable)
A professional house cleaning checklist tells every cleaner exactly what "clean" means, room by room, so every home gets the same result. Below are the four checklists cleaners use on the job, standard, deep, move-in/move-out and Airbnb turnover, plus the walk-through to do before you leave. Print them, copy them, or change them to fit your business.
Free. No sign-up.
Jump to: Standard · Deep · Move-in/move-out · Airbnb turnover · Before you leave
Standard Clean checklist
The recurring maintenance clean. Every reachable surface dusted and wiped, kitchen and bathrooms sanitized, all floors done. Work top to bottom, left to right, one room at a time.
Before you start
- Read the job notes: access instructions, alarm, pets, and any rooms to skip or focus on
- Check the Extras on your job sheet (inside oven, fridge, windows…) so you plan the time
- Walk the home first; if you spot damage or a problem, text the office before you start
- Move fragile items out of your way and put them back exactly where they were
Every room
- Light tidy so you can clean: straighten items, stack loose papers (no organizing or moving belongings)
- Remove cobwebs from ceiling corners and light fixtures
- Dust all reachable surfaces: furniture tops and fronts, shelves, decor, picture frames, lampshades
- Dust window sills and ledges
- Wipe and disinfect light switches, door handles, and door frames (high-touch spots)
- Clean mirrors and glass surfaces streak-free
- Vacuum carpets, rugs, stairs, and upholstered furniture (under cushions)
- Vacuum then damp-mop all hard floors, including under the edge of beds and furniture you can reach
- Empty trash cans and put in fresh liners
- Fluff cushions and pillows, straighten throws
Kitchen
- Clear counters, wipe and sanitize all countertops and backsplash, put items back where they were
- Scrub sink and drain, wipe faucet, polish chrome dry
- Wipe the outside of every appliance: fridge, oven, dishwasher, range hood
- Clean stovetop, burners or grates, and control knobs
- Clean microwave inside and out
- Wipe small appliances: toaster, coffee maker, kettle
- Wipe cabinet and drawer fronts and handles (outside only)
- Wipe the table and chairs
- Sweep and mop the floor, including along the toe-kicks
Bathrooms
- Clean and disinfect the toilet: bowl, seat, lid, tank, flush handle, outside, base, and the floor behind it
- Scrub and rinse tub and shower walls, floor, and glass door; wipe fixtures dry
- Clean sink, vanity top, and faucet; polish chrome
- Lift bottles off tub and sink ledges, wipe under them, put them back
- Wipe cabinet fronts and clean the mirror
- Clear hair from the tub, shower, and sink drains
- Shake out the bath mat (or vacuum it) and lay it flat
- Hang towels neatly; put out fresh ones if the customer left them
- Empty trash; sweep and mop the floor
Bedrooms
- Make the beds; change the sheets if a fresh set was left out
- Dust dressers, nightstands, headboard, and lamps
- Vacuum or mop the floor, including under the edge of the bed
- Empty trash
Living areas, hallways, and stairs
- Dust the entertainment center, tables, and shelves; TV screen with a dry cloth only
- Clean glass tabletops
- Vacuum sofas and chairs, including under the cushions
- Vacuum stairs; wipe the banister and railings
- Wipe the inside of the entry door and its glass
- Wipe and disinfect remote controls and game controllers
Not included (unless booked as an extra)
- Inside the oven, fridge, cabinets, or drawers
- Interior windows (sills and ledges are included; glass is an extra)
- Dishes and laundry
- Garage, patio, balcony, or anything outdoors
- Moving heavy furniture or appliances
- Walls and baseboards beyond a light dusting (that's a Deep Clean)
Deep Clean checklist
Everything on the Standard Clean, plus the detail work below. Plan for extra time: the difference is hand-wiping, not just dusting.
Do the full Standard Clean first
- Complete every Standard Clean item in every room (see the Standard tab)
Every room — PLUS
- Hand-wipe all baseboards, door frames, doors, and trim with a damp cloth
- Wipe ceiling fan blades, light fixtures, and vent covers
- Dust blinds slat by slat; wipe window tracks and sills
- Spot-clean scuffs, fingerprints, and marks on walls and doors
- Dust high shelves, tops of door frames, and tops of cabinets (2-step stool reach only)
- Wipe outlet covers and switch plates
- Vacuum and mop under and behind furniture you can slide safely (sofa, chairs, small tables)
Kitchen — PLUS
- Degrease the range hood and wash or wipe its filter
- Pull out the fridge and stove if they slide easily; clean the floor and wall behind and under them
- Wipe the dishwasher door edge, rubber seal, and clean the filter
- Scrub backsplash grout
- Wash the inside of the trash can
- Detail cabinet handles, hinges, and the tops of cabinet doors
Bathrooms — PLUS
- Scrub tile grout and caulk lines for mildew and soap scum
- Descale the shower head, faucets, and glass door
- Wash or wipe down the shower curtain liner
- Clean the exhaust fan cover
- Detail behind and around the toilet base, bolts, and pipes
Bedrooms and living areas — PLUS
- Vacuum the mattress top and fully under the bed
- Wipe closet doors and tracks; vacuum visible closet floor
- Vacuum sofa seams and under cushions; wipe wood or leather frames
- Clean the fireplace surround and screen (no ash removal)
Not included (unless booked as an extra)
- Inside the oven, fridge, cabinets, or drawers
- Interior window glass
- Dishes and laundry
- Garage, patio, balcony, or anything outdoors
- Carpet shampooing or stain removal
- Moving heavy furniture or appliances that don't slide easily
Move-In / Move-Out Clean checklist
Everything on the Deep Clean, in an empty home, plus the items below. The goal is a home that looks ready for a new family and passes a landlord walkthrough. Empty means empty: nothing gets skipped because something was in the way.
Do the full Deep Clean first
- Complete every Standard and Deep Clean item in every room (see the other tabs)
Kitchen — PLUS
- Wipe the outside and tops of every cabinet and drawer; clean the toe-kicks
- Pull out the fridge and stove; clean the floor, wall, and sides behind and under them
- Clean the inside of the microwave and dishwasher, including the seal and filter
- Clean the pantry shelves and floor if the pantry is empty
- Scrub the sink and drain flange until they shine
Closets and storage — PLUS
- Wipe every closet: shelves, rods, walls, doors, tracks, and floors
- Wipe the inside of the utility or laundry closet
- Wipe washer and dryer outside; clean the lint trap and detergent drawer
Walls, doors, and fixtures — PLUS
- Wipe all walls for scuffs, fingerprints, and residue (full walls, not just spots)
- Wipe both sides of every door, plus door tops, hinges, and knobs
- Clean all light fixtures and bulbs; wipe every switch and outlet plate
- Clean vents, return grates, and baseboard heaters
- Wipe all window sills, frames, and tracks
Finishing — PLUS
- Remove leftover trash, hangers, and small items to the bins
- Wipe the entry door inside and out, and the inside of the garage door if attached
- Final sweep and mop of every floor once everything else is done, working toward the exit
Not included (unless booked as an extra)
- Inside the oven, fridge, cabinets, or drawers (add-ons — check the job's Extras)
- Interior window glass
- Garage sweep, patio, balcony, or anything outdoors
- Carpet shampooing or stain removal
- Hole patching, paint touch-ups, or repairs
- Hauling furniture, boxes, or large items
Airbnb turnover clean checklist
For short-term rentals, between a checkout and the next check-in. Everything is reset so the next guest walks into a home that looks unused.
Reset
- Strip every bed; start the washer with sheets and towels first so they are dry in time
- Remake beds with fresh linens, pillows and throws staged the host’s way
- Replace all towels, bath mats, and kitchen towels
- Empty every trash can and recycling bin; replace liners
- Throw out food left in the fridge and cupboards (unless the host keeps pantry staples)
Clean
- Do the Standard Clean in every room: dust, wipe, sanitize, vacuum, and mop
- Run and empty the dishwasher; put every dish back where it belongs
- Wipe inside the microwave and the fridge shelves
- Disinfect high-touch spots: door handles, switches, remotes, faucets, and the thermostat
Restock and check
- Restock the host’s supplies: toilet paper, soap, shampoo, coffee, paper towels, trash bags
- Check for damage, stains, missing items, and anything left behind; text the host with photos
- Stage the home: blinds, lights, thermostat, and the welcome note exactly as the host wants
- Lock up and confirm the door code or key box is reset
Before you leave: the final walk-through
- Walk every room against this checklist; look for streaks, residue, and missed corners
- Re-check the spots customers notice first: kitchen counters, stovetop, toilet, mirrors, entry floor
- Take 3–5 photos: kitchen, main bathroom, living room, plus before/after of anything tough
- Bag the trash and take it to the outdoor bin
- Put back anything you moved
- Check the stove and oven are off; turn off lights, fans, and anything you used; close and lock windows; leave the thermostat as you found it
- Pack all your supplies; leave nothing behind
- Lock up and return the key or code exactly as instructed
- Text the office that you're done, with the photos and any damage or issues you found
How to use a cleaning checklist in your business
- One checklist per job type. A standard clean and a move-out clean are different jobs. Pricing them differently only works if the work is different too. See the price calculator.
- Put the extras on the job, not in the checklist. Inside the oven, inside the fridge and interior windows are paid add-ons. Listing them as "not included" protects you from doing free work.
- Train with it, then check against it. Walk a new cleaner through the list on their first jobs, and use the final walk-through as your quality check.
- Send it with every job. In BookedEZ, each job in the cleaner portal comes with the right checklist for the service booked, so nobody has to remember which list to use.
Building your team? Read how to start a cleaning business, and stock up with the cleaning business supplies list.
Common questions
What should be on a house cleaning checklist?
Every room (dusting, high-touch spots, mirrors, floors, trash), the kitchen (counters, sink, appliance fronts, stovetop, microwave), bathrooms (toilet, tub and shower, sink, mirror, floor), bedrooms and living areas, plus a final walk-through before you leave.
What is the difference between a standard clean and a deep clean?
A standard clean is the recurring maintenance clean. A deep clean adds the detail work: hand-wiping baseboards, doors and trim, blinds, vents, ceiling fans, grout, behind appliances that slide out, and built-up grime.
What does a move-out cleaning checklist include?
Everything in a deep clean, in an empty home, plus inside and on top of every cabinet and drawer, every closet, full wall wipe-downs, both sides of every door, and a final sweep and mop working toward the exit.
Is inside the oven and fridge part of a deep clean?
Not on these checklists. Inside the oven, fridge and cabinets are add-ons charged separately, so the customer chooses them and you get paid for the time.
Can I use this checklist for my cleaning business?
Yes. It is free to print, copy and change. No sign-up needed.