After completing hundreds of move-in and move-out cleanings across the Wasatch Front, I have a pretty clear picture of what Utah landlords and property managers actually look at during a final walkthrough. More importantly, I know what costs tenants their deposit and it is not always what you would expect.
How Much Does a Move-Out Cleaning Cost in Utah?
Let me start with the number everyone wants to know. Our move-in/move-out cleanings range from $285 to $800, with an average of $533 per job. That is for a thorough, professional deep clean that covers everything a landlord will inspect.
Is that a lot of money? Consider this: the average security deposit in the Salt Lake City metro is $1,000-$1,500 for a 2-bedroom apartment. If a landlord deducts $400-$800 for cleaning because you did not leave the unit in acceptable condition, you have lost the same amount, and you still had to spend your own time scrubbing. A professional move-out cleaning is the single most reliable way to protect your deposit.
What Do Utah Landlords Actually Check During the Walkthrough?
I have talked to dozens of property managers we work with across Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties. Here is what they consistently inspect, ranked by how often it leads to deposit deductions.
Are the Appliances Clean Inside and Out?
This is the number one issue. Landlords open the oven, pull out the refrigerator drawers, check behind the stove, and look inside the microwave. Grease buildup in the oven and a dirty refrigerator are the most common reasons for cleaning deductions on the walkthrough form.
We pull out every appliance, degrease the oven interior, clean refrigerator shelves and gaskets, and wipe down all exterior surfaces. This single step is responsible for more saved deposits than anything else we do.
Are the Bathrooms Free of Buildup and Mildew?
Landlords check for soap scum on shower doors, grout discoloration, toilet bowl stains, and mildew around caulk lines. A bathroom that looks “lived in” signals to the property manager that the tenant did not maintain the unit.
We scrub tile grout, treat mildew with professional-grade products, descale faucets and shower heads, and clean behind toilets. Bathroom deep cleaning takes our team 30-45 minutes per bathroom, and it makes a visible difference.
Are the Floors Clean, Including Edges and Corners?
Vacuuming the middle of a room is not enough. Property managers check baseboards, floor edges, closet floors, and transitions between flooring types. Carpet stains, scuff marks on vinyl, and dust buildup along baseboards are all documented.
For carpet, we vacuum thoroughly but we are not a carpet cleaning company and if there are deep stains, we recommend a dedicated carpet extraction service before we arrive. For hard floors, we mop every surface, including closets, pantries, and laundry areas.
Are the Walls and Light Fixtures Clean?
Scuff marks on walls, dusty ceiling fans, greasy light switch plates, and cobwebs in corners all show up on inspection forms. According to the Utah Fit Premises Act (Utah Code 57-22), landlords must return deposits within 30 days and provide an itemized list of deductions, meaning they must document everything.
We wipe down all light switch plates and outlet covers, dust ceiling fans and light fixtures, clean window blinds, and spot-clean walls. For significant wall damage (nail holes, paint scuffs), we let the tenant know that touch-up paint may be needed beyond what cleaning can address.
Is the Garage, Patio, or Storage Area Clean?
Tenants frequently forget about exterior and storage spaces. Garage floors with oil stains, patios with dirt buildup, and storage closets with dust and debris are all fair game for deductions. We sweep and mop garage floors, wipe down shelving in storage areas, and clean patio surfaces.
When Should You Schedule a Move-Out Cleaning?
Timing matters. Here is what I recommend based on our experience:
Schedule the cleaning for the day after you move all belongings out, but at least 24 hours before your final walkthrough. This gives us clear access to every surface (no furniture in the way) and gives you a buffer in case the walkthrough reveals anything that needs a touch-up.
Do not wait until the morning of your walkthrough. If we find something that needs extra attention such as severe oven buildup, mildew that requires treatment time, carpet issues because you want time to address it.
What Is Included in a Clean Casa Move-Out Cleaning?
Our standard move-out cleaning covers:
- Kitchen: Oven interior and exterior, refrigerator interior (shelves, drawers, gaskets), microwave, dishwasher interior, countertops, backsplash, sink, cabinet fronts, floor
- Bathrooms: Shower/tub (scrub tile, grout, glass doors), toilet (including behind and around base), vanity, mirrors, floors, mildew treatment
- Living areas: Dust all surfaces, ceiling fans, light fixtures, blinds, baseboards, window sills, switch plates, vacuum and mop all floors
- Bedrooms: Closet interiors (shelves, rods, floors), dust all surfaces, vacuum and mop
- Additional: Interior windows, garage sweep, patio/balcony, laundry area
We bring all supplies and equipment. The tenant does not need to provide anything.
What Should You Do Before We Arrive?
Three things that save you money and help us do the best possible job:
- Remove all personal belongings. We cannot clean behind or under items that are still in the unit. Empty closets, clear counters, and remove everything from the refrigerator.
- Handle repairs separately. Nail holes, paint touch-ups, broken blinds, and damaged fixtures are repair issues, not cleaning issues. Address those before or after our visit.
- Note any pre-existing damage. If there is something already there when you move in, make sure it is documented on your original move-in inspection form. We clean, but we cannot fix damage — and we do not want you held responsible for something that was not yours.
How Do I Book a Move-Out Cleaning?
Call us at (385) 455-1808 or request a quote at cleancasa.co. We will need to know the property size, location, and your walkthrough date. We typically book move-out cleanings 5-10 days in advance, but we can often accommodate shorter timelines.
Our team of 26 covers the entire Wasatch Front from Ogden to Spanish Fork, including all of Salt Lake, Utah, Davis, and Weber counties. We have completed more than 6,000 cleanings, every team member is background-checked and insured, and we show up on time.
Moving is stressful enough. Let us handle the cleaning so you can focus on your new place — and keep your deposit where it belongs: in your pocket.
Always on time, always on budget, always a clean casa.