Move Out Cleaning & Move-In Cleaning in Seattle, WA
Move-In & Move-Out Cleaning from $419 per visit. Free itemized quote before anyone arrives.
A move-out or move-in cleaning in Seattle is a top-to-bottom clean of an empty home, inside the oven, refrigerator, cabinets and closets included, priced flat per visit by home size. Buyers and renters who want every surface wiped before the boxes arrive book a move-in cleaning service so they can unpack directly into clean drawers and shelves. Tenants handing back keys and sellers preparing for open houses use the same detailed approach. Every visit follows a standard checklist, comes with a free itemized quote, and covers the city and neighboring communities.
How much does a move out cleaning service cost in Seattle?
A move-out or move-in cleaning in Seattle starts from $419 per visit. For comparison, a standard house cleaning for an occupied home starts from $259. The empty-home service costs more because a cleaner opens every cabinet, closet, and appliance, scrubs baseboards and tile grout, and leaves no corner skipped before a walkthrough. We quote a flat rate per visit based on bedrooms, bathrooms, and the overall condition of the home, so the total price is known before anyone arrives, while an hourly quote can grow when the job runs long. There are no add-on fees for deep tasks: inside the oven, inside the refrigerator, emptied cabinets, closets, and baseboards are built into the initial quote. You can request a free itemized quote online or over the phone to see the exact price for your address.
What move out cleaning in Seattle involves that a generic one does not
Housing across Seattle is split between different property types, where 37% are single-family detached houses and 20% are in large apartment buildings with 20 or more units. By contrast, in nearby Mercer Island, 67% of homes are single-family houses. Tenants in large apartment buildings often face strict check-out lists from leasing offices, while single-family buyers check entryways and stair banisters first. FEMA ranks King County among the most frequent areas in the country for winter storms with snow and ice, which means slush and grit come in at every door during colder months and leave dull film on floors. After summer wildfire smoke events, fine ash settles on window sills and inside intake vents. Wiping window tracks and entry floors before the final walkthrough keeps these distinct regional marks from slowing down your move or raising questions with a landlord.
Getting the security deposit back in Seattle
Under Washington state law, a landlord has 30 days to return a security deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. This clock starts on the date the rental agreement ends and the tenant vacates the premises, or 30 days from when the landlord learns of an abandonment. You can review full rules on normal wear and tear on our Washington move-out and move-in cleaning page. Taking dated photos of every room after the clean provides clear evidence alongside your receipt.
How long it takes, and when to book cleaning services in Seattle
A studio or one-bedroom move-out cleaning typically takes 2 to 4 labor hours, while a two-bedroom home requires 4 to 6 labor hours. A three-bedroom property around 1,500 to 2,000 square feet takes 5 to 8 labor hours, and large homes over 3,000 square feet need 8 to 14 or more labor hours. A two-person crew roughly halves the time spent on site. Cleaning appliances alone can add 2 to 3 labor hours during a move-out cleaning. Booking a few days ahead gives you the best choice of times. Plan the clean for the final day after movers load the truck, making sure water and power stay connected.
Cleaning services in Seattle and nearby cities
Our cleaning company covers every neighborhood in King County and nearby areas. If you are leaving one property and buying another, a move-out cleaning at your old address and a move-in cleaning at your new home can be combined on a single quote. Addresses outside the primary service list are confirmed when you request a free quote.
Move out cleaning in Seattle: FAQ
What is the starting price for a move-out cleaning in Seattle?
A move-out clean starts from $419 per visit for smaller homes. The final price depends on the total number of bedrooms, bathrooms, and the overall condition of the home, rather than square footage.
Is it worth cleaning an apartment before moving out?
Booking a move-out cleaning makes sense when the security deposit at stake is larger than the cost of the clean or when your lease requires a clean unit. It is not necessary if your lease contract automatically deducts a set maid fee regardless of how clean you leave the space.
What does a move-out cleaning include?
The service covers the interior of the oven, refrigerator, cabinets, and closets. It also includes washing baseboards, scrubbing bathrooms from top to bottom, and cleaning all floors throughout the empty home.
Do you charge by the hour for a move-out cleaning?
No, every job receives a flat rate fixed in advance based on bedrooms, bathrooms, and initial conditions. Hourly estimates from a cleaner can be hard to compare because the final cost depends entirely on how quickly a crew works on site.
How long does a landlord in Washington have to return a security deposit?
A landlord has 30 days after the lease ends and the unit is vacated to return the security deposit or provide an itemized statement. Visit our Washington page for full details on deposit return rules and tenant rights.