In Rhode Island a security deposit can't be more than one month's rent, and your landlord has 20 days after you move out to return it with an itemized list of any deductions. Cleaning deductions are the most frequent reason tenants don't get all of it back, and they're the easiest to avoid. Here is what inspectors actually look at, in the order they look.
Before you start
- Re-read your lease. Many require “professionally cleaned” carpets or a receipt for a professional clean; keep every receipt.
- Take dated photos of every room after cleaning. They are your evidence if a deduction is disputed.
- Empty the home first. Cleaning around boxes doesn't count, and movers leave fresh scuffs and dust.
- Turn on every light and open the blinds — dirt hides in dim rooms.
Kitchen (where most deductions come from)
- Oven: inside, racks, door glass, and the drawer underneath
- Stovetop and hood: burners, drip pans, knobs, and the filter under the hood
- Fridge and freezer: emptied, shelves and drawers washed, seals wiped, and pulled out to clean behind and beneath
- Dishwasher: filter cleaned, door edges wiped
- Microwave inside and out
- Cabinets and drawers: emptied, wiped inside and out, crumbs vacuumed from corners
- Sink, faucet and disposal descaled and deodorized
- Backsplash, counters and the tops of upper cabinets
Bathrooms
- Toilet inside and out, including the base and behind it
- Shower and tub: soap scum, grout, drain hair, and the shower door tracks
- Mirror, vanity, inside of drawers and the medicine cabinet
- Exhaust fan cover dusted
- Floor mopped and corners detailed
Bedrooms and living areas
- Closets: shelves and rods wiped, floor vacuumed, hangers removed
- Walls: scuffs and nail holes — most leases allow small nail holes but not large patches; check yours
- Baseboards, door frames, switches and outlet covers wiped
- Windows inside, sills and tracks vacuumed, blinds dusted
- Ceiling fans and light fixtures
- Carpets vacuumed; professionally shampooed if the lease requires it
Often forgotten
- Inside the washer and dryer, and the lint trap
- Air vents and return grilles (replace the HVAC filter — it's cheap and inspectors notice)
- Garage, patio or balcony swept; trash and recycling bins emptied
- Light bulbs replaced where burned out
- Remove all personal items, including from the attic and under sinks
Your last-week timeline
- 7 days out: confirm the walkthrough date with the landlord and book the clean for the day after your movers.
- 3 days out: patch nail holes, replace bulbs and filters, and clean anything you're doing yourself.
- Moving day: after the truck leaves, do a walk-through with the lights on and note anything the movers scuffed.
- Cleaning day: empty home, cleaner works top to bottom, you take photos when it's done.
- Walkthrough: bring your photos and the cleaning receipt.
DIY or hire it out?
A move-out clean of a 3-bed, 2-bath home takes a professional 5 to 6 hours with the right products and takes most people a full weekend. If your deposit is larger than the cost of the clean (it almost always is), hiring it out is the safer bet — and you get a receipt to show the landlord.
Our move-in / move-out cleaning is a flat price based on the size of the home: about $380 for a 3-bed, 2-bath. It includes everything on this list except carpet shampooing and exterior windows.
Frequently asked
Should the cleaning happen before or after the movers?
After. Movers track in dirt and leave dust where furniture stood. Book the clean for the day after your move-out, ideally the day before the walkthrough.
Do you clean inside the oven and fridge on a move-out clean?
Yes, both are included, along with inside cabinets, drawers and closets.
Can you provide a receipt for my landlord?
Yes. Every paid invoice comes with a receipt from Stripe that lists the service and address.