Move-out cleaning timeline: the 7 days before you hand over the keys
The last week of a tenancy is chaos. Here's a simple day-by-day timeline so the cleaning and the inspection don't get left to the final panicked night.
7 days out — book it
Lock your move-out clean now. Month-end slots fill fast across Edmonton, and you want the clean scheduled for after your stuff is out but before your final inspection. Confirm the date with your landlord for the walkthrough too.
3–4 days out — declutter and pre-clean
Get as much out as you can and knock down obvious mess. The emptier the unit on cleaning day, the better it cleans and the better it prices. Note any pre-existing damage now so it doesn't get blamed on you.
1–2 days out — the deep clean
This is the inspection-grade clean: oven, bathrooms and grout, cabinet interiors, baseboards, floor edges, windows and tracks. If you've booked WHITEBOX, this is when we come in on the empty unit, clean to the checklist, and photograph every room.
Move-out day — document and hand off
- ✓Walk the unit and photograph every room after cleaning.
- ✓Do the move-out inspection report with your landlord and get a copy.
- ✓Return all keys, fobs and remotes.
- ✓Leave the fridge open if the power's off; confirm taps are off.
- ✓Give your forwarding address so the deposit and statement of account can reach you (10-day window).
After — keep your proof
Hold onto your cleaning invoice, checklist and photos until the deposit is resolved. If cleaning is ever questioned, that record is your evidence of the condition you left. General information, not legal advice.
When should I book move-out cleaning?
About a week out, especially around month-end when Edmonton slots fill. Schedule the clean for after your belongings are out but before the final inspection.
Should I clean before or after I move my stuff out?
After. An empty unit cleans far better and prices better, and it's the only chance to reach behind appliances and into closets and tracks.