The Cleaning Company Canadians Trust
Sweepy Maids is the insured, background-checked cleaning company that treats your home and business like its own. With clear hourly pricing, the same trusted team every visit, and over 10,000 spaces cleaned across BC, Alberta and Ontario, we make a spotless space the easy part of your week.
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Trusted by Businesses Across Canada
Some of the businesses that trust Sweepy Maids with their cleaning.
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Spotless Spaces, Courtesy of Sweepy Maids
When you bring in the professional cleaners at Sweepy Maids, you can count on a home or business that looks refreshed and genuinely spotless, no matter how busy life gets. Finding time for a thorough clean is hard. That is where we come in. Whether you are a professional short on hours, a family that wants weekends back, or a business that needs reliable upkeep, our expert team delivers high-quality results you can see and trust, every single visit.
Home and Commercial Cleaning Services
From a one-time deep clean to standing weekly upkeep, one trusted company covers every space. Every booking is fully equipped and handled by the same vetted team.
Deep Cleaning
The top-to-bottom reset: inside appliances, baseboards, grout lines, and every spot a routine clean skips.
- Hourly Rate Pricing
- Discounts for Regular Services
- Consistent Cleaning Team each Service
- Professional, Police Checks and Insured
- All Equipment and Supplies Provided
House Cleaning
Your whole home, room by room, dusted, vacuumed, mopped, and sanitized to a spotless finish.
- Hourly Rate Pricing
- Discounts for Regular Services
- Consistent Cleaning Team each Service
- Professional, Police Checks and Insured
- All Equipment and Supplies Provided
Move-In & Move-Out Cleaning
Leave it spotless for the next tenant or your damage deposit. We clean to inspection standard so you get your money back.
- Hourly Rate Pricing
- Discounts for Regular Services
- Consistent Cleaning Team each Service
- Professional, Police Checks and Insured
- All Equipment and Supplies Provided
Carpet Cleaning
Deep extraction that lifts stains, pet hair, odours, and allergens out of carpets and upholstery.
- Flat Rate Pricing
- Discounts for Regular Services
- Consistent Cleaning Team each Service
- Professional, Police Checks and Insured
- All Equipment and Supplies Provided
Steam Cleaning
A deeper, chemical-light sanitize that uses high-heat steam to cut through grime and kill bacteria.
- Hourly Rate Pricing
- Discounts for Regular Services
- Consistent Cleaning Team each Service
- Professional, Police Checks and Insured
- All Equipment and Supplies Provided
Airbnb Cleaning
Fast, consistent, guest-ready turnovers so every stay starts spotless and earns five-star reviews.
- Hourly Rate Pricing
- Discounts for Regular Services
- Consistent Cleaning Team each Service
- Professional, Police Checks and Insured
- All Equipment and Supplies Provided
Cleaning At Its Very Best
Our professional team understands that a clean space is a healthier one. That is why every Sweepy Maids visit is handled by insured, background-checked cleaners using eco-friendly products, following the same standard each time. It is the consistency behind our 4.7-star rating and the reason so much of our work comes from repeat clients and referrals across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
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Drag the slider on real customer transformations.
How to Book Your Clean in Three Steps
Book with us by choosing the service you need, then tell us your preferred date and time. Simple.
Choose Your Service
Be clear about what you need cleaned and pick the specific service that fits your space.
Pick Date & Time
Let us know when suits you. We schedule around your calendar to get you a high-quality clean from our expert local cleaners.
Relax & Enjoy
Sit back while our professionals handle everything. You come back to a spotless space and your time returned.
Our Deep Cleaning Checklist
Transparent. Standardized. Photo-documented after every job. Know exactly what your deep clean covers before we arrive.
- Inside microwave degreased
- Range hood & filter scoured
- Backsplash scrubbed
- Trash bin sanitized
- Drawer fronts polished
- Window sills cleaned
- Walls spot-cleaned
- Cabinet fronts hand-wiped
- Inside oven (add-on)
- Sink scrub & sanitize
- Small appliances wiped
- Floor machine scrubbed
- Light fixtures dusted
- Baseboards hand-wiped
- Stovetop deep degreasing
- Refrigerator exterior detail
- Countertops disinfected
- Dishwasher exterior polished
- Toe-kicks wiped
- Switches sanitized
- Tile grout scrubbed
- Mirror streak-free shine
- Tub scrub & rinse
- Trash sanitized
- Exhaust fan dusted
- Door frames hand-wiped
- Stair railings polished
- Under-furniture cleaning
- Trash points emptied
- Window tracks cleaned
- Air vents dusted
- Entryway disinfected
- Edge-to-edge vacuum
- High dusting & cobwebs
- Light switches sanitized
- Hardwood steam mop
- Mirror & glass detail
- Door frames hand-wiped
- Stair railings polished
- Under-furniture cleaning
- Trash points emptied
- Window tracks cleaned
- Air vents dusted
- Entryway disinfected
- Edge-to-edge vacuum
- High dusting & cobwebs
- Light switches sanitized
- Hardwood steam mop
- Mirror & glass detail
- Door frames hand-wiped
- Stair railings polished
- Under-furniture cleaning
- Trash points emptied
- Window tracks cleaned
- Air vents dusted
- Entryway disinfected
- Edge-to-edge vacuum
Optional Add-Ons
Inside oven · Inside fridge · Interior windows · Laundry · Wall washing
Biohazards · Mould remediation · Exterior high-rise windows · Heavy junk removal
Your Local Cleaning Company Across Canada
From Vancouver Island to the Greater Toronto Area, local teams, national standards.
Sweepy Maids Surrey HQ
7664 126a St, Surrey, BC V3W 4A9, Canada
Our Local Offices
Offices in British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
Local Guide
Amazing and professional move-out service. The team was incredibly efficient. They left the place absolutely spotless and made the whole process stress-free. Highly recommend.
Vancouver
We called them last minute. They were quick to respond, easy to book, and did quality work for our move-in cleaning. Carpets were fresh and the house was cleaned very well. I would book them again.
Vancouver
Why Homes and Businesses Choose Sweepy Maids
- Sweepy Maids is a licensed cleaning company delivering superior residential and commercial cleaning. When it comes to cleaning, disinfecting, and sanitizing, our crew leaves no corner untouched.
- Founded in Surrey, BC by cleaning specialist Parth Katyal, we now serve 19 cities across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario, with over 10,000 spaces cleaned.
- We hold a 4.7-star Google rating, backed by a track record of dependable cleaning across British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario.
- We use eco-friendly, non-toxic, pet-safe products and modern techniques, so your space is spotless and safe for kids, pets, and sensitive households.
- We offer time-efficient cleaning for homes, rentals, offices, and commercial spaces, with recurring discounts and no hidden costs.
- We take pride in never compromising on cleaning quality, and it shows in how many of our clients come back.
Schedule Your Appointment
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question before booking? Here are quick answers to what clients ask us most.
Our Latest Articles
Tips, guides, and insights from our cleaning team to help you keep every space its best.
Cleaning Services
10Nov
A Cleaning Schedule Template for Schools and Daycares
Schools and daycares get dirty in ways most workplaces never do. Small hands touch everything, toys end up in mouths, lunches get spilled, and illnesses can move through a room quickly. A written cleaning schedule turns all of that into a clear list of who cleans what, and how often, so nothing important is left to memory on a busy day.This guide gives you a ready to use schedule template organized by frequency: after each use, daily, weekly, and periodic. It's based on published child care cleaning guidance from Vancouver Coastal Health, with a separate section for schools. Use it as a starting point, then adjust it to match your licensing requirements, your building, and the ages of the children in your care.Quick Answer: A school or daycare cleaning schedule should group tasks by frequency. After each use: diaper change surfaces, potties, and eating tables. Daily: toilets, sinks, washroom floors, high touch surfaces, and sweeping or vacuuming. Weekly: washing smooth floors and deeper cleaning of shared spaces. Periodic: carpet cleaning with steam or hot water, and full deep cleans during breaks. Always clean surfaces before sanitizing them, and follow your health authority's licensing requirements. Key TakeawaysOrganize by frequency. "After each use," "daily," "weekly," and "periodic" are easier to follow than a long, unsorted list. Clean before you sanitize. Vancouver Coastal Health's child care guidance says a surface can't be properly sanitized until it has been thoroughly cleaned. Some tasks happen after every use. Diaper change tables, potties, and eating surfaces need attention each time they're used. Carpets need a set schedule. VCH's guidance calls for steam or hot water cleaning every 3 months in infant and toddler rooms. Your licensing officer has the final word. Requirements can differ by health authority and province, so confirm your schedule with them.This template is general guidance based on published health authority resources. Child care facilities should follow their own licensing requirements and health authority guidance, which take priority over this article. What a School or Daycare Cleaning Schedule Should Cover A complete schedule covers every space children and staff use:Classrooms and play areas, including tables, chairs, shelves, and toys Washrooms, potties, and diaper change areas Eating areas, kitchens, and high chairs Nap areas, cots, cribs, and sleep mats High touch points such as door handles, light switches, railings, and taps Floors and carpets Offices, staff rooms, and entrancesCleaning vs Sanitizing: Why the Order Matters Cleaning uses soap or detergent, water, and scrubbing to remove dirt and germs from a surface. Sanitizing uses a product to reduce the germs that remain. According to Vancouver Coastal Health's child care guidance, a surface cannot be properly sanitized until it has first been thoroughly cleaned. VCH also notes that sanitizers used on items children may put in their mouths must be suitable for that purpose, and that staff should read the entire product label. Daycare Cleaning Schedule TemplateHow Often Area or Item TaskAfter each use Diaper change table and potty Clean and sanitizeBefore and after each use Tabletops used for eating Clean and sanitizeBetween children and when soiled Cots, cribs, and playpens Clean and sanitizeWhen soiled Sleep mats Clean and sanitizeDaily and when soiled Toilets, sinks, washroom floors Clean and sanitizeDaily Smooth floors Vacuum or sweepDaily High touch surfaces (door handles, light switches, taps) Clean and sanitizeWeekly and when dirty Smooth floors WashEvery 3 months Carpets in infant and toddler rooms Clean with steam or hot waterEvery 6 to 12 months Carpets in other rooms Clean with steam or hot waterPer your toy cleaning guidelines [VERIFY] Toys, especially mouthed toys Clean and sanitize with a product suitable for mouthed itemsFrequencies for diaper areas, tables, cots, mats, washrooms, floors, and carpets are from Vancouver Coastal Health's child care cleaning guidelines. Rows marked [VERIFY] are not specified in that document and should be confirmed with your licensing officer.READ MORE: How Often Should a Commercial Office Be Cleaned? School Cleaning Schedule Template Schools serve older children, and most don't have diapering or nap areas, but the same frequency based approach works well. [VERIFY: check these frequencies against your school district's facilities standards before using them.]How Often Area or Item TaskDaily Washrooms (toilets, urinals, sinks, floors) Clean and sanitizeDaily High touch surfaces (door handles, railings, light switches, taps) Clean and sanitizeDaily Classroom floors Sweep or vacuumDaily Cafeteria tables and kitchen surfaces Clean and sanitize after meal periodsDaily Garbage and recycling Empty and replace linersWeekly Desks, chairs, and shelves Wipe down thoroughlyWeekly Hard floors in classrooms and hallways Mop or machine scrubPeriodic Carpets Professional steam or hot water cleaningDuring breaks Whole building Deep clean, including walls, windows, vents, and floor careWhen to Bring in Professional Cleaners For daily after hours cleaning. Many schools and daycares have staff handle "after each use" tasks during the day, while a cleaning team handles washrooms, floors, and full room resets after children leave. Our guide to in house janitorial vs outsourced commercial cleaning compares the two approaches.For carpets and floor care. Steam or hot water carpet cleaning needs proper equipment. See how often to get professional carpet cleaning and our comparison of steam cleaning vs shampooing carpets.For deep cleans during breaks. Summer, winter, and spring breaks are the best times for detailed cleaning that's hard to do while children are on site. Our guide to the deep cleaning vs standard cleaning price difference in Canada explains how deeper work is priced.Did You Know? Vancouver Coastal Health's guidelines for cleaning and sanitizing in a child care centre recommend cleaning carpets in infant and toddler rooms with steam or hot water every 3 months, and carpets in other rooms every 6 to 12 months. The same guidance says diaper change tables and potties should be cleaned and sanitized after each use, and eating tables before and after each use. Babies and toddlers spend much of their day on the floor, which is why their rooms are on the shortest carpet schedule.READ MORE: In House Janitorial vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning: What's Better for Your Business? How to Put This Template to Work Assign every task to a person or role. A schedule only works when everyone knows who's responsible. Add a name or role beside each row.Keep a simple log. A sign off sheet for daily and weekly tasks makes it easy to see what's been done and helps during licensing inspections.Review it with your licensing officer. Share your schedule with your health authority's licensing officer and update it to match any specific requirements.Decide what to outsource. If staff time is stretched, a cleaning company can take on after hours and periodic tasks. Our cost vs time breakdown, our guide to recurring vs one time cleaning service, and our comparison of cleaning companies vs independent cleaners can help you decide. Whoever you hire, check insurance and WorkSafeBC coverage, as explained in our guide to finding reliable cleaners in Langley.Need help keeping your school or daycare on schedule? Get a free quote from Sweepy Maids and we'll build a cleaning plan around your hours. Frequently Asked Questions How often should toys be cleaned in a daycare? It depends on the toy and how it's used. Toys that children put in their mouths need more frequent cleaning and must be sanitized with a product suitable for that purpose. Check your health authority's toy cleaning guidelines and your licensing officer for exact frequencies. What's the difference between cleaning and sanitizing? Cleaning removes dirt and germs with soap or detergent, water, and scrubbing. Sanitizing reduces the germs that remain. Vancouver Coastal Health's guidance says surfaces must be cleaned before they can be properly sanitized. Can I use this template for a home daycare? Yes, as a starting point. Home based child care has many of the same needs, especially diaper areas, eating surfaces, and floors. Confirm the details with your licensing officer. Should a school or daycare use professional cleaners? Many do, especially for after hours cleaning, carpets, and deep cleans during breaks. Staff usually handle the "after each use" tasks during the day. Where can I find more cleaning schedules? For homes, our room by room deep cleaning guide offers a similar frequency based approach. For businesses, see how often a commercial office should be cleaned and our homeowner's guide to commercial cleaning in Abbotsford. Related Cleaning GuidesAverage Cost of Weekly House Cleaning in Calgary The Complete Guide to Booking Airbnb Cleaning in Vancouver Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Cost in Surrey and Kelowna Move In vs Move Out Cleaning: A Renter's Timeline What to Expect From a Move Out Cleaning Service in Vancouver Move Out Cleaning Checklist to Get Your Full Damage Deposit Back What's Included in a Professional Move In Cleaning?About the Author Parth Katyal is the founder of Sweepy Maids and a cleaning industry specialist with more than 10 years of experience serving Canadian homeowners and businesses. Sweepy Maids started in Surrey, BC and now operates across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Kelowna, Calgary, Brampton, Edmonton, and Montreal, including our Vancity Newton branch. Parth's focus on eco friendly products, bonded and background checked staff, and transparent pricing shapes how Sweepy Maids approaches every space it cleans.
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Cleaning Services
06Nov
Why Medical Facility Cleaning Requires Specialized Disinfection
Cleaning a medical clinic, dental office, or physiotherapy practice isn't the same as cleaning a regular office. Patients who may be sick or vulnerable pass through the same waiting rooms, washrooms, and exam rooms every day, so surfaces need more than a wipe that leaves them looking clean. They need the right disinfectant, applied the right way, for the right amount of time, by people who understand why each step matters.That's what "specialized disinfection" really means. It isn't a fancy product or a marketing term. It's a process: cleaning surfaces first, choosing disinfectants authorized for use in Canada, keeping surfaces wet for the product's full contact time, and working in an order that doesn't spread contamination from dirty areas to clean ones. Standard office cleaning often skips some or all of those steps.Quick Answer: Medical facilities need specialized disinfection because cleaning alone removes dirt and microorganisms but doesn't kill them, and disinfection only works properly when surfaces are cleaned first and the product stays wet for its full contact time. Clinics also need disinfectants authorized by Health Canada, frequent attention to high touch surfaces, and staff trained to work from clean to dirty and high to low. A regular office cleaning routine usually isn't designed around any of these requirements. Key TakeawaysCleaning and disinfecting are different steps. Cleaning physically removes dirt and microorganisms. Disinfection is meant to kill or inactivate what's left. Order matters. Surfaces need to be cleaned before disinfection can be effective. Contact time is not optional. Surfaces must stay wet with disinfectant for the time on the product label. Products need authorization in Canada. Health Canada now regulates surface disinfectants as biocides, and authorized products carry an 8 digit identification number. Training is part of the job. Ontario's infection prevention best practices call for a trained, educated, and supervised environmental cleaning program in health care settings.This article is general information, not infection prevention and control (IPAC) advice. Clinics should follow their own IPAC policies, provincial guidance, and any requirements from their regulatory college. What Medical Facility Cleaning Actually Covers Medical facility cleaning includes the spaces patients and staff use every day:Waiting rooms, reception desks, and check in areas Exam rooms, treatment rooms, and procedure areas (non sterile surfaces) Washrooms and staff rooms High touch points such as door handles, light switches, chair arms, counters, and card machines Floors, including hard flooring and any carpeted officesIt typically does not include sterilizing medical instruments or reprocessing medical devices. That work follows separate protocols and is usually handled by clinical staff. Cleaning vs Disinfection: What's the Difference? Cleaning uses detergent, water, and physical scrubbing to remove dirt, organic material, and many microorganisms from a surface. According to Public Health Ontario's best practices, cleaning physically removes rather than kills microorganisms. Disinfection uses a chemical product to kill or inactivate microorganisms that remain. The two work together, and skipping either step reduces how well the other one works. Standard Commercial Cleaning vs Medical Facility Cleaning: Side by SideWhat You're Comparing Standard Commercial Cleaning Medical Facility CleaningMain goal A clean, presentable workspace Clean and properly disinfected surfacesProducts General cleaners Cleaners plus disinfectants authorized by Health CanadaContact time Often wipe and go Surfaces kept wet for the label's full contact timeCleaning order Varies Clean to dirty and high to lowHigh touch surfaces Wiped during routine visits Cleaned and disinfected frequently, at least dailyStaff training General cleaning skills Training in disinfection methods and health care settingsDocumentation Rarely required Checklists and logs often expected by the clinic READ MORE: How Often Should a Commercial Office Be Cleaned? What Makes Disinfection "Specialized" Cleaning comes first. Public Health Ontario's best practices state that items must be cleaned thoroughly before effective disinfection can take place. Disinfectant sprayed onto a dirty surface doesn't do its job properly.Contact time is followed exactly. Public Health Ontario's environmental cleaning resource says the surface should remain wet for the required contact time, and that disinfectant should be reapplied if that time isn't met. Every product's label lists its own contact time.The work follows a set order. Cleaners work from clean to dirty and from high to low, so dirt and microorganisms don't drip down or get carried onto areas that have already been cleaned.High touch surfaces get extra attention. Door handles, light switches, counters, and chair arms are touched constantly. Public Health Ontario's resource recommends cleaning and disinfecting high touch surfaces at least once per day. Where Standard Office Cleaning Falls Short Wrong products or no disinfection step. Many routine office cleans use general purpose cleaners only, which remove dirt but aren't designed to disinfect.Rushed contact times. Spraying and immediately wiping a surface means the disinfectant may not stay wet long enough to work as labelled.No training for health care settings. Cleaners who usually work in offices or homes may not know clean to dirty workflows, how to handle shared equipment, or which areas need extra care. Ontario's best practices call for an appropriately staffed, trained, educated, and supervised environmental services program in health care settings.Did You Know? According to Health Canada, surface disinfectants and sanitizers are now regulated as "biocides" under the Biocides Regulations, which came into force on May 31, 2025. Authorized biocides are assigned an 8 digit identification number, and disinfectants previously sold with a Drug Identification Number (DIN) keep the same number sequence. Products authorized under the old rules have until May 31, 2029 to transition. When you hire a cleaning provider for a clinic, it's reasonable to ask which disinfectants they use and to check that each one carries an authorized 8 digit number.READ MORE: In House Janitorial vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning: What's Better for Your Business? How to Choose a Medical Facility Cleaning Provider Ask about products and processes. Request a list of the disinfectants they use, check each product's identification number, and ask how they make sure contact times are met.Ask about training and supervision. Find out how cleaners are trained for health care settings and who checks their work. Our guides to cleaning companies vs independent cleaners and finding reliable cleaners in Langley cover insurance, WorkSafeBC clearance letters, and other basics to check.Decide between in house and outsourced. Some clinics train their own staff, while others contract a cleaning company. Our guide to in house janitorial vs outsourced commercial cleaning and our cost vs time breakdown explain the trade offs.Set a schedule and a checklist. Agree on daily, weekly, and periodic tasks, and ask for a written checklist. Our guide to recurring vs one time cleaning service can help you decide what should be on a regular schedule.Looking for cleaning support for your clinic or medical office? Get a free quote from Sweepy Maids and ask about our disinfection process and products. Frequently Asked Questions What's the difference between sanitizing and disinfecting? Health Canada regulates both surface sanitizers and surface disinfectants as biocides. In general terms, sanitizers reduce microorganisms on surfaces, while disinfectants are intended to kill or inactivate a broader range of them. Always check a product's label for what it's authorized to do. How often should a medical clinic be cleaned? It depends on patient volume, the type of practice, and the clinic's IPAC policies. Public Health Ontario's resource recommends that high touch surfaces be cleaned and disinfected at least once per day, with more frequent attention in busy areas. Do medical facility cleaners sterilize instruments? Usually not. Sterilizing instruments and reprocessing medical devices follows separate protocols and is generally handled by trained clinical staff, not environmental cleaners. Is medical facility cleaning more expensive than office cleaning? It often costs more because it takes more time, more specialized products, and more training. Our guide to the deep cleaning vs standard cleaning price difference in Canada explains how scope and detail affect price. What about carpets in medical offices? Hard floors are easier to clean and disinfect, but some offices and waiting rooms still have carpet. See how often to get professional carpet cleaning and our comparison of steam cleaning vs shampooing carpets. Related Cleaning GuidesA Homeowner's Guide to Commercial Cleaning in Abbotsford How Often to Deep Clean Your House, Room by Room Average Cost of Weekly House Cleaning in Calgary The Complete Guide to Booking Airbnb Cleaning in Vancouver Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Cost in Surrey and Kelowna Move In vs Move Out Cleaning: A Renter's Timeline What to Expect From a Move Out Cleaning Service in Vancouver Move Out Cleaning Checklist to Get Your Full Damage Deposit Back What's Included in a Professional Move In Cleaning?About the Author Parth Katyal is the founder of Sweepy Maids and a cleaning industry specialist with more than 10 years of experience serving Canadian homeowners and businesses. Sweepy Maids started in Surrey, BC and now operates across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Kelowna, Calgary, Brampton, Edmonton, and Montreal, including our Vancity Newton branch. Parth's focus on eco friendly products, bonded and background checked staff, and transparent pricing shapes how Sweepy Maids approaches every space it cleans.
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Cleaning Services
03Nov
Warehouse Cleaning Checklist: What Professionals Do That You Can’t
Your own team can keep a warehouse tidy day to day: sweeping aisles, emptying bins, clearing spills, and wiping down break rooms. Where professionals earn their keep is the work that needs specialized equipment, trained crews, or safety planning, such as scrubbing and degreasing large floor areas, high level dusting of racking, beams, and lights, and deep cleaning loading docks and washrooms on a schedule that doesn't stop operations.That's the honest version of "what professionals do that you can't." It's not that your staff are incapable. It's that many warehouse cleaning jobs need machines most businesses don't own, chemicals that require training to handle safely, or work at heights that comes with legal safety requirements in BC. A good checklist splits the work so your team handles the daily basics and a professional crew handles the rest.Quick Answer: A warehouse cleaning checklist should cover daily tasks (sweeping, spill cleanup, garbage and recycling, break room and washroom wipe downs), weekly tasks (mopping or machine scrubbing high traffic floors, dusting reachable surfaces, cleaning dock areas), and periodic deep cleaning (floor degreasing, high level dusting of racking, beams, and lights, and detailed washroom and office cleaning). In house staff can usually manage daily and weekly basics. Periodic jobs that need industrial equipment, chemical handling, or work at heights are where professional cleaners are worth bringing in. Key TakeawaysSplit the checklist by frequency. Daily, weekly, and periodic tasks need different time, tools, and people. Daily basics can stay in house. Sweeping, spill cleanup, and bin emptying fit easily into your team's routine. Big floors need big machines. Large area scrubbing and degreasing is faster and more thorough with commercial equipment. Work at heights has rules. In BC, employers must use a fall protection system where a fall of 3 metres or more could occur. Chemical handling needs training. Across Canada, employers must provide WHMIS education and training to workers who handle hazardous products.What Warehouse Cleaning Actually Covers Warehouse cleaning is about more than appearances. A clean warehouse is safer to walk and drive through, easier to audit, and better for the products and equipment stored inside. A full warehouse cleaning scope usually includes:Main floors, aisles, and traffic lanes Loading docks, dock doors, and receiving areas Racking, shelving, beams, and overhead lights Break rooms, kitchens, and washrooms On site offices and meeting rooms Garbage, recycling, and waste collection areasWhy Warehouse Cleaning Is Different From Office Cleaning Offices are cleaned mostly by hand, with vacuums and standard supplies. Warehouses are larger, dustier, and busier, with forklifts, pallets, and high ceilings. Floors may carry oil, tire marks, and debris, and dust builds up on surfaces high above the floor. That's why a warehouse clean relies more on machines, scheduling around operations, and safety planning. If your warehouse includes office space, our guide on how often a commercial office should be cleaned covers that side. In House Team vs Professional Cleaners: Side by SideWarehouse Task Your In House Team Professional CleanersSweeping aisles and clearing debris Good fit, daily Often included in scheduled visitsSpill cleanup Must be done immediately by your staff Not practical to wait forGarbage and recycling Good fit, daily Can be includedBreak rooms and washrooms Daily wipe downs Detailed weekly or periodic cleaningLarge area floor scrubbing Possible with equipment and training Commercial scrubbers and trained operatorsFloor degreasing Possible with training on chemicals Trained crews and appropriate productsHigh level dusting (racking, beams, lights) Requires fall protection and equipment at height Equipped and trained for work at heightsOffice carpets Vacuuming Deep carpet cleaning READ MORE: In House Janitorial vs Outsourced Commercial Cleaning: What's Better for Your Business? Daily and Weekly Tasks Your Team Can Handle DailySweep main aisles, traffic lanes, and work areas Clean up spills right away and mark wet areas Empty garbage and recycling bins Wipe break room counters, tables, sinks, and appliance handles Restock and tidy washroomsWeeklyMop or machine scrub high traffic floor areas Dust reachable shelving, workstations, and equipment Sweep and tidy loading docks and receiving areas Clean washroom fixtures, mirrors, and floors thoroughly Vacuum office carpets and wipe desks and high touch pointsPeriodic Tasks Where Professionals Make the Difference Floor scrubbing and degreasing. Large warehouse floors collect oil, tire marks, and ground in dirt. Commercial ride on or walk behind scrubbers clean large areas far faster than a mop, and degreasing often involves products that require proper handling.High level dusting. Dust on racking, beams, ducts, and light fixtures can fall onto stock and equipment. Reaching it safely usually means lifts or other equipment at height, which brings fall protection requirements.Detailed washroom, break room, and office cleaning. A periodic deep clean resets areas that daily wipe downs don't fully reach. Office carpets benefit from regular professional care too. See how often to get professional carpet cleaning.Move in and move out cleans for leased space. When you take over or hand back a leased warehouse or industrial unit, a thorough clean helps you start fresh or meet your lease conditions. Our guides to what's included in a professional move in cleaning and what to expect from a move out cleaning service explain the residential version of the same process.Did You Know? Under WorkSafeBC's Occupational Health and Safety Regulation, employers must ensure a fall protection system is used when work is done where a fall of 3 m (10 ft) or more may occur, and a written fall protection plan is required where workers could fall 7.5 m (25 ft) or more without permanent guardrails. On top of that, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety notes that every Canadian jurisdiction requires employers to provide WHMIS training for workers who handle hazardous products. High dusting and floor degreasing aren't just cleaning tasks. They come with safety obligations.READ MORE: How Often Should a Commercial Office Be Cleaned? How to Build a Warehouse Cleaning Plan Split tasks by frequency and skill. Keep daily basics with your team and schedule periodic deep cleaning with professionals. Our guide to recurring vs one time cleaning service helps you decide what should be on a schedule and what can be booked as needed.Decide who does the work. Compare the true cost of handling everything in house against outsourcing. Our guide to in house janitorial vs outsourced commercial cleaning and our cost vs time breakdown walk through the numbers.Vet your cleaning provider. Ask for proof of liability insurance and a WorkSafeBC clearance letter, and ask how crews are trained for equipment, chemicals, and work at heights. Our guides to cleaning companies vs independent cleaners and finding reliable cleaners in Langley cover what to check.Plan around operations. Schedule deep cleaning for off hours, weekends, or slower periods, and clear the areas being cleaned so crews can work safely.Need a cleaning plan for your warehouse? Get a free commercial cleaning quote from Sweepy Maids and we'll recommend a scope and schedule around your operations. Frequently Asked Questions How often should a warehouse be professionally cleaned? It depends on the size of the space, the type of goods stored, traffic levels, and how much dust and debris your operations create. Many warehouses combine daily in house cleaning with weekly, monthly, or quarterly professional deep cleans. Is warehouse cleaning more expensive than office cleaning? It's usually priced on size, scope, equipment, and how often you need service, so it can differ a lot from office cleaning. Detailed work costs more than routine visits, as our guide to the deep cleaning vs standard cleaning price difference in Canada explains. Can professionals clean while the warehouse is operating? Some tasks can be done around operations, but floor scrubbing and high level dusting usually need areas cleared for safety. Most businesses schedule these for off hours or slower periods. Do professional cleaners bring their own equipment? Many commercial cleaning companies bring their own machines and products. Confirm what's included, especially for floor scrubbers and equipment for work at heights. Do you clean warehouses outside Vancouver? For businesses in the Fraser Valley, see our homeowner's guide to commercial cleaning in Abbotsford, and contact us to confirm coverage for your location. Related Cleaning GuidesHow Often to Deep Clean Your House, Room by Room Steam Cleaning vs Shampooing Carpets: Which Is Right for Your Home? Average Cost of Weekly House Cleaning in Calgary The Complete Guide to Booking Airbnb Cleaning in Vancouver Airbnb Turnover Cleaning Cost in Surrey and Kelowna Move In vs Move Out Cleaning: A Renter's Timeline Move Out Cleaning Checklist to Get Your Full Damage Deposit BackAbout the Author Parth Katyal is the founder of Sweepy Maids and a cleaning industry specialist with more than 10 years of experience serving Canadian homeowners and businesses. Sweepy Maids started in Surrey, BC and now operates across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Kelowna, Calgary, Brampton, Edmonton, and Montreal, including our Vancity Newton branch. Parth's focus on eco friendly products, bonded and background checked staff, and transparent pricing shapes how Sweepy Maids approaches every space it cleans.
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Home Cleaning
30Oct
What Landlords Actually Inspect After a Tenant Moves Out
When a tenant moves out, the landlord isn't just glancing around for a clean floor. They're comparing the unit room by room against the move in condition report, looking for anything that is dirtier, damaged, or missing compared with the day the tenant got the keys. Kitchens, bathrooms, walls, windows, and carpets get the closest look, because that's where cleaning and damage problems show up most.Knowing what a landlord actually checks takes a lot of the stress out of moving day. It also helps you focus your time where it matters. In BC, the rules are fairly clear about what tenants are expected to clean and what counts as normal wear and tear. Once you understand that line, you can prepare for the inspection the same way a landlord approaches it.Quick Answer: At a move out inspection in BC, landlords compare the unit against the move in condition report. They typically check the stove, oven, and fridge, bathrooms, inside cabinets and closets, walls for scuffs and marks, inside windows, tracks, and blinds, and the condition of carpets and floors. They're looking for cleaning issues and damage beyond reasonable wear and tear. Natural aging of the unit isn't the tenant's responsibility, but dirt, grease, and damage the tenant caused can be. Key TakeawaysThe move in report is the benchmark. Landlords compare the unit's condition at move out with what was recorded at move in. Cleaning, damage, and wear and tear are different things. Tenants are responsible for cleaning and for damage they cause, but not for reasonable wear and tear. Some items are named in BC's guidelines. Appliances, inside windows and tracks, blinds, wall scuffs, and carpets after a one year tenancy are all spelled out as tenant cleaning tasks. Age matters for damage claims. BC's useful life guideline can be used when working out compensation for damaged items. Showing up matters. Tenants who skip the move out condition inspection may lose the right to have their damage or pet deposit returned.This article is based on rules in British Columbia. If you rent in Alberta, Ontario, or Quebec, check your province's tenancy rules, as inspections and deposits work differently. How the Move Out Inspection Works in BC In BC, the landlord and tenant should complete the move out condition inspection together, and the landlord should propose two times to do it. They walk through the unit with the original condition inspection report and note any changes. That report then becomes the record used if there's a disagreement about the deposit. If you want to know how the move in side works, our guide to what's included in a professional move in cleaning covers the start of a tenancy. Cleaning vs Damage vs Wear and Tear BC's Residential Tenancy Branch describes reasonable wear and tear as natural deterioration from aging and other natural forces. A slightly faded wall, light wear on a carpet walkway, or a worn cabinet handle after years of use usually falls into that category. Grease on the stove or a dirty fridge is a cleaning issue. A hole punched in a wall or a large burn on a countertop is damage. Landlords sort what they find into these three buckets, and only cleaning and damage are typically charged to the tenant. What Landlords Check: Side by SideWhat Landlords Check What They Look For Usually the Tenant's Responsibility?Stove, oven, and fridge Grease, food residue, a fridge that hasn't been defrosted and cleaned Yes, BC's guideline names these as tenant cleaning tasksWalls Scuff marks, fingerprints, holes, damage Washing scuffs, yes; nail holes aren't damage if you followed the landlord's reasonable hanging instructionsWindows and blinds Dirty inside glass, tracks, and window coverings Yes, inside windows, tracks, and internal coveringsCarpets Stains, odours, heavy soiling Steam cleaning or shampooing after a one year tenancy or if uncaged pets lived thereBathrooms Soap scum, grime, mould on caulking Cleaning, yesGeneral aging Faded paint, normal floor wear No, reasonable wear and tear READ MORE: Move Out Cleaning Checklist to Get Your Full Damage Deposit Back The Areas Landlords Look at First The kitchen. Ovens, stove tops, range hoods, and fridges are where cleaning problems are easiest to spot. Landlords also open cabinets and drawers to check for crumbs and spills.The bathrooms. Tubs, showers, grout, toilets, and vanities show grime quickly. Landlords look for soap scum, mildew, and buildup around fixtures.Walls, windows, and blinds. Scuffs and fingerprints on walls, dirty window tracks, and dusty blinds are common items on the inspection report. If you're cleaning these yourself, our room by room deep cleaning guide walks through each space.Floors and carpets. Landlords check for stains, odours, and heavy soiling. See how often to get professional carpet cleaning and whether steam cleaning or shampooing carpets suits your flooring. What Usually Doesn't Count Against You Normal aging of the unit. Paint that has faded with time, carpet worn in walkways, and fixtures that have aged naturally are reasonable wear and tear.Nail holes from following the rules. If you hung pictures following your landlord's reasonable instructions, BC's guideline says the holes aren't considered damage and you aren't responsible for filling them.Problems that were already there. Anything recorded on the move in condition report as existing damage or dirt shouldn't be charged to you at move out. That's why a careful move in inspection matters.Did You Know? BC's Residential Tenancy Policy Guideline 40 lists an estimated useful life for common parts of a rental unit, such as 12 years for carpet, 6 years for interior paint, and 15 years for a fridge or range. The guideline may be used when working out compensation for a damaged item, and compensation can be adjusted to account for betterment. In other words, the age of what was damaged can matter when a landlord makes a claim, not just the cost of replacing it new.READ MORE: What to Expect From a Move Out Cleaning Service in Vancouver How to Prepare for Your Landlord's Inspection Clean with the landlord's checklist in mind. Focus on the areas BC's guideline names: appliances, inside windows and tracks, blinds, walls, and carpets where required. Our move out cleaning checklist lays it out room by room.Bring your move in report and photos. Compare the unit's current condition with what was recorded at move in, and take dated photos once everything is clean.Time your clean right. Book the clean after you've moved out and as close to the inspection as possible. Our move in vs move out cleaning timeline shows the best order.Decide whether to hire help. If time is tight, a professional move out clean takes cleaning off the table at inspection. Our cost vs time breakdown and the deep cleaning vs standard cleaning price difference in Canada can help you decide. When choosing who to hire, our guides to cleaning companies vs independent cleaners and finding reliable house cleaners in Langley explain what to look for.Moving out and want to be inspection ready? Get a free move out cleaning quote from Sweepy Maids and let our team handle the areas landlords check most. Frequently Asked Questions What happens if I don't attend the move out inspection? In BC, if a tenant doesn't take part in the landlord's request for a move out condition inspection, the tenant may lose the right to have their damage or pet deposit returned. It's worth attending, even if you've hired cleaners. Can a landlord charge me for normal wear and tear? No. In BC, the tenant is not responsible for reasonable wear and tear, which covers natural deterioration from aging and other natural forces when the unit has been used reasonably. How long does a landlord have to return my deposit? Once you give your landlord a forwarding address in writing, they have 15 days to return the deposit if there are no issues, according to the Province of BC. I'm a landlord. How should I prepare a unit between tenants? Long term rentals usually need a full clean between tenants, and short term rentals need a quick turnover after every stay. See our complete guide to booking Airbnb cleaning and our breakdown of Airbnb turnover cleaning costs in Surrey and Kelowna. Between tenancies, a regular schedule for any common areas also helps, which our guide to recurring vs one time cleaning service and our look at the average cost of weekly house cleaning in Calgary can help with. Do the same rules apply to commercial leases? No. Commercial leases fall outside BC's residential tenancy rules, and cleaning obligations usually depend on the lease itself. For business spaces, see how often a commercial office should be cleaned, our guide to in house janitorial vs outsourced commercial cleaning, and our homeowner's guide to commercial cleaning in Abbotsford. About the Author Parth Katyal is the founder of Sweepy Maids and a cleaning industry specialist with more than 10 years of experience serving Canadian homeowners and renters. Sweepy Maids started in Surrey, BC and now operates across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Kelowna, Calgary, Brampton, Edmonton, and Montreal, including our Vancity Newton branch. Parth's focus on eco friendly products, bonded and background checked staff, and transparent pricing shapes how Sweepy Maids approaches every home it cleans.
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move-in & move-out cleaning
26Oct
What’s Included in a Professional Move-In Cleaning?
A professional move in cleaning gets your new home clean before a single box comes through the door. It typically covers the inside of every cabinet, drawer, and closet, the inside of the fridge and oven, a full scrub of bathrooms and the kitchen, baseboards, doors, switches, window sills and tracks, and every floor. The goal is simple: you shouldn't have to clean up after the last occupant before you can put your dishes away.Even if the previous tenants or owners cleaned before they left, their idea of clean may not match yours. Cupboards can hold crumbs, fridges can hold smells, and bathrooms can look fine at a glance while grime sits in the grout. A move in clean is your one chance to reach every surface while the home is empty, which is far easier than trying to do it once your furniture and belongings are in place.Quick Answer: A professional move in cleaning is a detailed, one time clean of an empty home before you move in. It usually includes cleaning inside cabinets, drawers, and closets, inside the fridge, freezer, oven, and microwave, scrubbing bathrooms and kitchen surfaces, wiping baseboards, doors, frames, switches, and window sills and tracks, and vacuuming and mopping every floor. Carpet cleaning, inside windows, and wall washing are often add ons, so confirm what's included when you book. Key TakeawaysAn empty home is the easiest home to clean. Move in cleaning reaches every shelf, corner, and floor before your furniture blocks access. Insides matter most. Cabinets, drawers, closets, and appliances get the attention you'd never give them once you're living there. Bathrooms and kitchens get a full reset. These are the rooms most likely to hold the previous occupant's grime. Some services are add ons. Carpet cleaning, interior windows, and wall washing may cost extra depending on the company. Renters should document the unit first. In BC, the move in condition inspection records the unit's condition, which matters when you eventually move out.What Move In Cleaning Actually Is Move in cleaning is a detailed clean of a home you're about to occupy. It's similar in depth to a deep clean, but it's timed for the short window between getting the keys and unloading the moving truck. Because the home is empty, cleaners can work through every cupboard and closet and clean behind and inside spaces that are hard to reach once a home is lived in. How Move In Cleaning Differs From Move Out Cleaning The tasks overlap a lot. The difference is who the clean is for. A move out clean is done for the landlord or buyer, to leave the home ready for inspection. A move in clean is done for you, to make the home ready to live in. Our guide to what to expect from a move out cleaning service covers the other side of the move. Move In Cleaning vs Move Out Cleaning: Side by SideWhat You're Comparing Move In Cleaning Move Out CleaningWho it's for You, the new occupant The landlord, property manager, or buyerWhen it happens After you get the keys, before you unpack After you've moved out, before the final inspectionMain goal A fresh, hygienic start in your new home Leaving the home ready for inspectionInside cabinets, closets, appliances Usually included Usually includedFocus areas Kitchens, bathrooms, storage spaces you'll use Everything a landlord or buyer will checkWho usually pays The incoming occupant The outgoing occupant READ MORE: When Should You Book Move In vs Move Out Cleaning? A Renter's Timeline What's Included in a Professional Move In Cleaning Every company has its own checklist, but a thorough move in clean usually covers the following. [VERIFY: match this list to Sweepy Maids' actual move in cleaning checklist before publishing.]KitchenInside and outside of all cabinets and drawers Inside and outside of the fridge and freezer Inside the oven, stove top, and range hood Inside and outside of the microwave, plus the dishwasher exterior Countertops, backsplash, sink, and faucetBathroomsToilet, including the base and behind it Tub, shower, tiles, grout, and glass doors Sink, vanity, mirror, and inside cabinets and drawers Faucets, fixtures, and exhaust fan coverBedrooms and living areasClosets, shelves, and closet doors Baseboards, door frames, doors, and light switches Window sills and window tracks Light fixtures and ceiling fans where reachableFloors throughoutVacuuming carpets, including edges and corners Vacuuming and mopping all hard floorsIf you want a sense of how this compares to a regular deep clean, our room by room deep cleaning guide breaks down the same spaces for a home you're already living in. What's Usually an Add On Carpet cleaning. Vacuuming is standard, but steam cleaning or shampooing is usually extra. Before moving in is a good time to do it, since the rooms are empty. Our guides on how often to get professional carpet cleaning and steam cleaning vs shampooing carpets explain your options.Interior windows and wall washing. Washing full walls and the glass on the inside of every window takes extra time, so many companies price them separately.Balconies, garages, and storage lockers. Outdoor and storage spaces are often outside the standard scope. Ask if you want them included.[ADD: which of these Sweepy Maids includes as standard and which are add ons, so readers know exactly what to expect.]Did You Know? According to the Province of British Columbia, the move in condition inspection should happen on the day the tenant gets the keys, with the landlord and tenant walking through the unit together. The landlord must give the tenant a copy of the inspection report within 7 days, and the province recommends taking plenty of photos and videos. If you're renting, it's worth completing the inspection and noting any existing dirt or damage before your move in clean, so the report reflects the condition the unit was in when you received it.READ MORE: Hiring a Cleaning Company vs an Independent Cleaner: Pros, Cons, and Cost How to Plan Your Move In Clean Book it for the day you get the keys. The best time is after the home is empty and before the movers arrive. Our move in vs move out cleaning timeline shows how to fit it around your moving day.Choose the right cleaner. A move in clean has a tight window, so reliability matters. Our comparison of cleaning companies and independent cleaners covers what to check before you book.Know what you're paying for. Move in cleans are detailed jobs and are usually priced more like a deep clean than a regular visit. Our guide to the deep cleaning vs standard cleaning price difference in Canada explains why. If you're unsure whether to hire help at all, our cost vs time breakdown can help.Plan what comes next. Once you've settled in, a regular schedule keeps your new home feeling fresh. Our guide to recurring vs one time cleaning service and our breakdown of the average cost of weekly house cleaning in Calgary can help you plan.Getting the keys to a new place soon? Get a free move in cleaning quote from Sweepy Maids and start fresh before you unpack. Frequently Asked Questions Is move in cleaning necessary if the previous tenant already cleaned? It's not required, but many people book it anyway. The previous occupant's clean may have focused on passing an inspection rather than on the inside of cabinets, appliances, and other spaces you'll use every day. How long does a move in clean take? It depends on the size of the home, its condition, and any add ons. A small apartment takes much less time than a large house. Your cleaning company should give you an estimate when you book. Should I clean before or after the movers arrive? Before, whenever possible. An empty home lets cleaners reach every cabinet, closet, and floor without working around boxes and furniture. I'm setting up a short term rental. Is move in cleaning enough? A move in clean is a great starting point for a new rental suite, but short term rentals then need a turnover clean after every guest. See our complete guide to booking Airbnb cleaning and our breakdown of Airbnb turnover cleaning costs in Surrey and Kelowna. Can I book a move in clean for a new office? Yes, many cleaning companies clean commercial spaces before a business moves in. For ongoing service afterward, see how often a commercial office should be cleaned and our guide to in house janitorial vs outsourced commercial cleaning. About the Author Parth Katyal is the founder of Sweepy Maids and a cleaning industry specialist with more than 10 years of experience serving Canadian homeowners. Sweepy Maids started in Surrey, BC and now operates across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Kelowna, Calgary, Brampton, Edmonton, and Montreal, including our Vancity Newton branch. Parth's focus on eco friendly products, bonded and background checked staff, and transparent pricing shapes how Sweepy Maids approaches every home it cleans.
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Cleaning Services
22Oct
Move Out Cleaning Checklist to Get Your Full Damage Deposit Back
The fastest way to lose part of your damage deposit is to leave cleaning to the last hour of moving day. In British Columbia, cleaning the unit when you move out is the tenant's job, and if the place isn't left clean, the cost of cleaning it can come out of your deposit. The good news is that the province spells out what tenants are expected to clean, so you can work through it room by room and hand back the keys with confidence.A clean unit won't protect you from charges for real damage, and normal wear and tear isn't your responsibility anyway. What a thorough move out clean does is take cleanliness off the table, so the only thing your landlord can assess is the actual condition of the home. This checklist is built around BC's rules and the spots landlords most often look at during the final inspection.Quick Answer: To protect your damage deposit in BC, clean the stove top, elements, and oven, defrost and clean the fridge, wash scuff marks and fingerprints off walls, clean inside windows, window tracks, and blinds, scrub bathrooms and kitchens, and vacuum and mop every floor. If you've lived there a year or more, or had pets that weren't caged, plan to have the carpets steam cleaned or shampooed. Then attend the move out inspection and give your landlord your forwarding address in writing. Key TakeawaysCleaning is the tenant's responsibility in BC. If the unit isn't left clean, you can be charged for the cleaning. Wear and tear isn't on you. Natural aging of the unit is not the tenant's responsibility. Dirt, grease, and scuffs are. Appliances, windows, and walls are specifically named. BC's tenancy guideline lists the oven, fridge, inside windows and tracks, and wall scuffs as tenant cleaning tasks. Carpets have their own rule. After a tenancy of one year, or if you had uncaged pets, you may be expected to steam clean or shampoo them. Don't skip the inspection. Missing the move out condition inspection can cost you the right to get your damage or pet deposit back.This checklist is based on rules in British Columbia. If you rent in Alberta, Ontario, or Quebec, check your province's tenancy rules, as deposits and cleaning expectations differ. What Landlords Check at Move Out During the move out condition inspection, your landlord compares the unit with the move in condition report. They'll usually look closely at the kitchen appliances, bathrooms, floors and carpets, walls, windows, and inside cabinets and closets. Anything dirty that wasn't dirty at move in is where cleaning charges come from. If you'd rather hand this job to professionals, our guide to what to expect from a move out cleaning service explains what's typically included.[ADD: the three or four spots Sweepy Maids' crews most often find missed in DIY move out cleans. Real observations from your team will make this checklist far more useful than general advice.] What Counts as Cleaning vs Wear and Tear BC's Residential Tenancy Branch describes reasonable wear and tear as natural deterioration from aging and other natural forces. Faded paint, light carpet wear in walkways, and minor scuffs from normal living fall into that category. Grease on the stove, soap scum in the shower, dirty window tracks, and a fridge full of crumbs do not. Those are cleaning issues, and they're the ones a good move out clean fixes. Your Responsibility vs Not Your Responsibility: Side by SideWhat You're Comparing Tenant's Cleaning Responsibility Not the Tenant's ResponsibilityKitchen appliances Clean stove top, elements, and oven; defrost and clean fridge Appliances wearing out with ageWalls Wash off scuff marks and fingerprints Filling nail holes if you followed the landlord's reasonable hanging instructionsWindows Clean inside windows and tracks Exterior window cleaning on most buildings [VERIFY with your lease]Window coverings Leave internal blinds and coverings clean Natural fading from sunlightCarpets Steam clean or shampoo after a one year tenancy or if you had uncaged pets Normal wear in walkwaysGeneral condition Leave the unit clean Reasonable wear and tear READ MORE: What to Expect From a Move Out Cleaning Service in Vancouver Your Room by Room Move Out Cleaning Checklist Work top to bottom in each room so dust and debris fall onto floors you'll clean last. If it's been a while since your last thorough clean, our room by room deep cleaning guide is a helpful companion to this list.KitchenClean the stove top, elements or burners, drip pans, and the inside of the oven Defrost the freezer, then clean the inside and outside of the fridge Wipe inside and outside of all cabinets and drawers Clean the range hood and filter, microwave inside and out, and dishwasher exterior Scrub the sink, faucet, countertops, and backsplashBathroomsScrub the toilet, including the base and behind it Clean the tub, shower, tiles, grout, and glass doors Wipe the sink, vanity, mirror, and inside cabinets and drawers Clean the exhaust fan cover and light fixturesBedrooms and living areasWash scuff marks and fingerprints off walls, doors, and frames Wipe baseboards, light switches, and outlet covers Clean closets, shelves, and closet doors Clean inside windows, window sills, and window tracks Dust or wash blinds and other internal window coveringsFloors and carpetsVacuum all carpets and rugs, including edges and corners Sweep and mop hard floors throughout If you've lived there a year or more or had uncaged pets, book carpet steam cleaning or shampooing. Our guides on how often to get professional carpet cleaning and steam cleaning vs shampooing carpets explain your optionsFinal stepsRemove all garbage, recycling, and belongings, including from storage lockers and balconies Do a last walkthrough with your move in condition report in hand Take dated photos of every room once cleaning is finishedDid You Know? According to the Province of British Columbia, once you give your landlord your forwarding address in writing, they have 15 days to return your deposit if there are no issues. If a landlord doesn't act within that time, a tenant can apply to the Residential Tenancy Branch, and the landlord may be ordered to pay double the deposit. But the same rules work both ways: if you skip the landlord's move out condition inspection, you may lose the right to have your damage or pet deposit returned.READ MORE: When Should You Book Move In vs Move Out Cleaning? A Renter's Timeline DIY or Professional Move Out Cleaning? Do it yourself if you have the time and the unit is in good shape. A small, well kept apartment can be handled with this checklist and a full day set aside before your inspection.Hire professionals if time is tight or the job is big. Moving day leaves little energy for scrubbing ovens. Our cost vs time breakdown can help you decide, and our guide to the deep cleaning vs standard cleaning price difference in Canada explains why move out cleans are priced as detailed jobs.Choose a cleaner you can count on. A missed or rushed clean right before your inspection is hard to recover from. Our comparison of cleaning companies and independent cleaners covers what to check before you book.Time it right. Book the clean for the day before or the morning of your inspection, after all your belongings are out. Our move in vs move out timeline walks through the best order.Moving out soon and short on time? Get a free move out cleaning quote from Sweepy Maids and let our team work through the checklist for you. Frequently Asked Questions Will a professional move out clean guarantee I get my full deposit back? No one can guarantee that, because landlords can also make claims for damage beyond reasonable wear and tear. A thorough clean makes sure cleanliness isn't the reason money is deducted. Do I have to clean the carpets when I move out in BC? BC's tenancy guideline says tenants will generally be held responsible for steam cleaning or shampooing carpets after a tenancy of one year, and may be expected to clean them if they or another occupant had pets that weren't caged. Check your tenancy agreement as well. Do I need to fill nail holes before moving out? Not always. BC's guideline says nail holes are not considered damage if you followed the landlord's reasonable instructions for hanging items, and in that case you aren't responsible for filling them. What should I do after my new place is set up? Once you've moved in, a regular cleaning schedule keeps your new home in good shape and makes your next move out easier. Our guide to recurring vs one time cleaning service and our breakdown of the average cost of weekly house cleaning in Calgary can help you plan. I'm a landlord or host. What cleaning do I need between occupants? Long term rentals usually need a full clean between tenants, while short term rentals need a quick turnover after every stay. See our complete guide to booking Airbnb cleaning and our breakdown of Airbnb turnover cleaning costs in Surrey and Kelowna. For commercial leases, see how often a commercial office should be cleaned and our guide to in house janitorial vs outsourced commercial cleaning. About the Author Parth Katyal is the founder of Sweepy Maids and a cleaning industry specialist with more than 10 years of experience serving Canadian homeowners and renters. Sweepy Maids started in Surrey, BC and now operates across Metro Vancouver, the Fraser Valley, Vancouver Island, Kelowna, Calgary, Brampton, Edmonton, and Montreal, including our Vancity Newton branch. Parth's focus on eco friendly products, bonded and background checked staff, and transparent pricing shapes how Sweepy Maids approaches every home it cleans.
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