Article Contents
- The honest truth about move-out cleaning
- What tenants consistently underestimate
- What Vancouver landlords actually check
- DIY vs. professional: the real comparison
- What to expect from a professional move-out clean
- The areas that determine whether you get your deposit back
- Common questions about move-out cleaning
- Ready to book your move-out clean?
The Honest Truth About Move-Out Cleaning
Moving out of a rental is stressful enough without worrying about whether you'll get your deposit back. After completing thousands of move-out cleans across Vancouver, WA and Clark County since 2005, we've seen the same scenario play out more times than we can count: a tenant spends an entire weekend cleaning, feels confident they've done a thorough job, and still loses part or all of their deposit.
It's not that they didn't work hard. It's that move-out cleaning is a different kind of clean than what most people do on a regular basis — and the gap between what a tenant considers "clean" and what a landlord or property manager considers "clean" is often significant.
This article shares what we've learned from two decades of move-out cleans in the Vancouver-Portland metro area — what tenants consistently miss, what landlords actually look for, and why the decision to hire a professional almost always pays for itself.
What Tenants Consistently Underestimate
The most common thing we see when we arrive at a move-out clean is how much tenants underestimate the depth and comprehensiveness of what a true move-out clean involves. This isn't a criticism — it makes complete sense. When you live somewhere, you clean at a maintenance level. Move-out cleaning is restoration-level work, and the difference is substantial.
Most tenants clean the surfaces they can see easily. They wipe down counters, clean the toilet, vacuum the floors. What they typically miss are the areas that accumulate grime over months or years of regular use — areas that a landlord doing a walk-through will check specifically because they know tenants miss them.
The areas we most frequently have to address when we arrive at a DIY-attempted move-out clean include:
- Inside the oven — baked-on grease from cooking is one of the most labor-intensive areas to clean and one of the first things landlords check
- Inside the refrigerator — shelves, drawers, door seals, and the coils underneath if accessible
- Baseboards throughout the entire unit — dust and grime accumulate along baseboards consistently and are a standard part of any landlord walk-through
- Inside cabinets and drawers — crumbs, residue, and spills that accumulated over the tenancy
- Window tracks and sills — collect significant debris and are easy to overlook
- Bathroom exhaust fans — dust buildup here is often significant and highly visible
- Top of the refrigerator and kitchen cabinets — grease aerosol from cooking settles here and creates a sticky film
- Door frames and light switches — touched constantly, rarely cleaned thoroughly
- Walls and baseboards around high-traffic areas — scuffs, marks, and grime that built up gradually
From our experience: The areas that most often cost tenants their deposit — oven, refrigerator, baseboards, and window tracks — are exactly the areas that take the most time and effort to clean properly. These are not quick jobs even for professionals. A thorough oven clean alone can take 45 minutes to an hour.
What Vancouver Landlords Actually Check
Vancouver and Clark County landlords have seen enough move-outs to know exactly where to look. A professional property manager doing a walk-through isn't just glancing around the room — they're following a systematic checklist, and they're looking specifically at the areas that tenants are most likely to have missed.
Based on what we hear from landlords and property managers who hire us regularly in Vancouver, here are the areas that determine whether a deposit gets returned in full:
In the kitchen, landlords check the oven interior, the range hood and filters, the inside of the refrigerator including the drip tray, cabinet interiors, the area behind and under appliances if accessible, and the condition of the sink and faucet. Grease buildup anywhere in the kitchen is a common deduction.
In bathrooms, they look at soap scum and mineral deposits on shower walls, doors, and fixtures — Clark County's water is relatively hard, which means mineral buildup on faucets and shower heads happens quickly and requires specific cleaning methods to remove properly. Grout condition, toilet base and behind the bowl, and exhaust fan cleanliness are also standard checks.
Throughout the unit, expect landlords to check baseboards in every room, the condition of blinds, window tracks, door frames, light switches, and outlet covers. Carpet condition (if applicable) and any wall damage are also evaluated.
Important note: Washington State law gives landlords 21 days after you vacate to return your deposit or provide an itemized statement of deductions. Cleaning charges are one of the most common deductions. A professional move-out clean is often significantly less expensive than the cleaning charges a landlord can legally deduct.
DIY vs. Professional: The Real Comparison
We understand why tenants consider cleaning the unit themselves — it feels like a way to save money. But after seeing this play out thousands of times over the past 20 years, our honest advice is to hire a professional. Here's why.
When you attempt a move-out clean yourself, you're doing it during one of the most stressful periods of a move — when you're also coordinating movers, changing your address, setting up utilities at your new place, and managing everything else that comes with relocating. You're tired, you're rushed, and you're cleaning a place you're emotionally ready to leave.
Professionals approach it differently. We arrive with no attachment to the space, a systematic checklist developed over thousands of cleans, and the specific equipment and products required for each surface. We're not guessing whether the oven cleaner needs more time — we've done this enough to know exactly what works and how long it takes.
More practically: if you lose even a portion of your deposit because of cleaning charges, you've almost certainly spent more than you would have on professional cleaning. A partial deposit deduction in the Vancouver rental market can easily be $200-$500 or more. A professional move-out cleaning service typically costs less than that and gives you documented proof that the unit was professionally cleaned.
The stress calculation matters too. Attempting a move-out clean yourself and then receiving a dispute from your landlord costs you time, anxiety, and potentially money in ways that are hard to quantify but very real. Hiring a professional eliminates that variable entirely.
What to Expect From a Professional Move-Out Clean
When our team arrives for a move-out clean in Vancouver or anywhere in Clark County, we typically send two cleaners and plan for three to six hours depending on the size and condition of the unit. A two-bedroom apartment that's been reasonably well maintained during the tenancy will typically take three to four hours. A larger unit or one that needs more intensive work can take five to six hours or longer.
We work systematically through every room, addressing the areas that landlords check most carefully. Everything is cleaned — not just the visible surfaces, but inside appliances, inside cabinets, window tracks, baseboards, and all the detail areas that make the difference between a deposit returned in full and a deposit that comes back with deductions.
We bring our own professional cleaning products and equipment. You don't need to provide anything other than access to the unit. Many clients book us for the day after their furniture is out, which gives us full access to every wall, floor area, and corner.
If you have specific concerns about areas of the unit — a stubborn stain, heavy grease buildup in the kitchen, mineral deposits in the bathroom — let us know when you book. We can factor that into the time estimate and make sure we bring the right products for the job.
The Areas That Determine Whether You Get Your Deposit Back
Whether you hire us or clean the unit yourself, here are the areas to focus on. These are the most common sources of deposit deductions in Vancouver and Clark County rentals:
Kitchen
- Oven interior — including racks, door, and broiler drawer
- Refrigerator interior — all shelves, drawers, door seals, and drip tray
- Range hood and grease filters
- Cabinet and drawer interiors
- Countertops, backsplash, and sink
- Top of refrigerator and upper cabinet surfaces
- Behind and under appliances if accessible
Bathrooms
- Shower walls, doors or curtain, and floor — including grout lines
- Mineral deposits on faucets, showerhead, and fixtures
- Toilet — including base, behind the bowl, and tank exterior
- Exhaust fan — remove cover and clean dust buildup
- Cabinet interiors and medicine cabinet
- Tile grout throughout
Throughout the Unit
- Baseboards in every room
- Window tracks, sills, and frames
- Blinds — each slat, both sides
- Door frames and tops of doors
- Light switches and outlet covers
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Inside closets — floors, shelving, and rods
- Walls — scuffs and marks in high-traffic areas
Professional tip: Take photos of every room after cleaning, before you return the keys. Dated photographic documentation is your best protection if a landlord disputes the condition of the unit. If you hire Octomaids, we can note the completion of the clean for your records.
Common Questions About Move-Out Cleaning in Vancouver
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking your move-out clean as soon as you know your move-out date. End-of-month dates fill up quickly, particularly in the spring and summer when rental turnover peaks in Clark County. Two weeks advance notice is ideal; one week is usually manageable. Call us at 360.619.8196 and we'll tell you our current availability.
Do I need to be present during the cleaning?
No — most clients provide us with access via a lockbox or leave a key with us. As long as the unit is empty of furniture and personal belongings, we can complete the clean without you present. Many clients appreciate being able to focus on settling into their new place while we handle the old one.
What if the landlord still finds something after you've cleaned?
We stand behind our work. If your landlord identifies an area that was missed, contact us right away and we'll make it right. Our goal is for you to get your full deposit back — that's the standard we hold ourselves to on every move-out clean.
Do you serve the whole Vancouver and Clark County area?
Yes — we serve Vancouver and all of Clark County including Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, La Center, and Brush Prairie. We also serve the Portland metro area including Beaverton, Tigard, Lake Oswego, and surrounding communities. If you're not sure whether we cover your area, call us and we'll confirm.
How much does a move-out clean cost?
Cost depends on the size of the unit and its condition. We provide free estimates — call us at 360.619.8196 or visit our FAQ page for more information. We'll give you an honest estimate based on what you tell us about the unit.
Ready to Book Your Move-Out Clean in Vancouver?
After 20 years and thousands of move-out cleans in Vancouver and Clark County, we know what it takes to get your deposit back. Our team of two arrives with everything needed to clean your unit thoroughly and systematically — no shortcuts, no missed areas.
If you're moving out of a rental in Vancouver, Camas, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, or anywhere in the Portland metro area, we'd be glad to help. Call us at 360.619.8196 or visit our move-in/move-out cleaning page to learn more and get a free estimate.
According to EPA Safer Choice guidelines, we use cleaning products that are safe for people, pets, and the environment — something we've prioritized since we started in 2005.
What's your biggest concern about your upcoming move-out? Leave a comment below — we're happy to answer specific questions about your situation.
