Moving out of your apartment or home in Rockville, Bethesda, Silver Spring, or anywhere in Maryland? Your security deposit is on the line. Maryland landlords are legally allowed to deduct cleaning costs from your deposit — and the threshold for "clean enough" is higher than most tenants expect.
This checklist is based on what Maryland property managers actually inspect during move-out walkthroughs. Follow it exactly, and you'll have a strong case for your full deposit back.
Kitchen — The Most Scrutinized Room
- Oven: Clean interior walls, door glass, and racks. Remove all grease and burnt food. This is the #1 deduction reason in Maryland rentals.
- Refrigerator: Remove all food, clean all shelves and drawers, wipe down door seals. Leave it running or off per lease instructions.
- Range hood: Degrease filter, wipe interior and exterior
- Dishwasher: Run a cleaning cycle, wipe door interior and exterior
- Cabinets: Wipe all interior shelves and exterior doors, including handles
- Sink: Scrub and sanitize, clean disposal, remove lime scale from faucet
- Countertops and backsplash: Remove stains and grease, clean grout lines
- Floors: Sweep and mop, including behind and under appliances
Bathrooms
- Scrub toilet inside and out, including behind and base
- Descale shower walls, doors, and faucets — hard water stains are a common deduction
- Clean inside medicine cabinet and vanity drawers
- Scrub tile grout in shower and floor
- Clean exhaust fan cover
- Wipe all surfaces, mirrors, and light fixtures
- Mop floor including corners
Bedrooms and Living Areas
- Patch and touch up any nail holes in walls (check lease — some landlords expect this)
- Clean all windows — glass, sills, and tracks
- Wipe baseboards, door frames, and light switch plates
- Clean inside all closets — shelves, walls, and floor
- Dust and wipe ceiling fan blades
- HEPA vacuum all carpets — landlords check for embedded dirt and pet hair
- Mop hard floors
- Clean all light fixtures and replace any burned-out bulbs
Final Checklist Before Handover
- Remove all personal belongings — check every cabinet, closet, and storage area
- Return all keys, remotes, parking passes, and mailbox keys
- Take timestamped photos of every room before you leave
- Request a walkthrough with the landlord so you can address any concerns immediately
- Keep a copy of your lease and the original move-in inspection report
Why Professional Move-Out Cleaning Is Worth It
A professional move-out cleaning service typically costs $200–$400 in the Maryland market. Compare that to a potential deposit deduction of $500–$1,500 for cleaning fees in most Montgomery County and Prince George's County rentals. The math is clear.
Capital Clean Care provides certified move-out cleaning throughout Maryland, DC, and Northern Virginia. We include all items on standard landlord inspection checklists and offer a re-clean guarantee if anything is flagged.
Book your move-out cleaning today and get your full deposit back.