A move has a lot of moving parts, and cleaning tends to get squeezed into the last day. Vacate cleaning works best when it is planned around your move rather than fitted in at the end. This guide is about timing: when to book, what order to do things in, and how to avoid a last-minute scramble.
Why timing matters
A property is easiest to clean when it is empty. Furniture, boxes and belongings get in the way of wardrobes, floors, skirting and cupboards. But you will not want to hand back keys before everything is cleaned, so the sequence matters. Plan the clean to fall after your belongings are out and before your handover.
A simple move-out timeline
Three to four weeks before
Check your lease for your notice and handover dates, and work out which day you will be out. Start a list of everything that needs doing: utilities, mail redirection, removalists, cleaning. Writing the clean on that list from the start stops it being an afterthought.
Two weeks before
Book your clean. Bookings with us are usually within two to four business days, but your preferred day may fill up, so it is better to have a date locked in before removalists are confirmed. If you want carpets or windows done, tell us at the same time so we can quote it as one job.
The week of the move
Pack the things you do not need. Start with the areas you use least and leave the kitchen and bathroom until last. Use up perishables so the fridge and pantry can be emptied, and run down the contents of the freezer.
Move-out day
Once the furniture is out, the property is ready for a proper clean. Everything that needs cleaning is now accessible: inside cupboards, drawers and wardrobes, the oven, the floors and the windows. Leave any cleaning products you want used, and let the cleaner know about anything specific.
After the clean
Carry out a final walk-through before you return the keys. Take a few dated photos of each room for your own records. If anything was missed, let us know.
Common timing mistakes
Most move-out cleaning problems come down to timing rather than effort. The first is leaving the booking until the last day, when the dates you want may already be taken. The second is cleaning before the furniture is out, which means doing the job twice, because floors, skirting and the insides of cupboards cannot be properly reached. The third is forgetting that carpets and windows are separate jobs with their own time needs. Carpets need to dry, and most are walk-on dry within a few hours, so they are best done early in the day rather than at the very end. The fourth is handing back keys before you have checked the result. Build a little buffer between the clean and your handover so there is time to look over the property and address anything that needs attention.
What to do on a tight schedule
Sometimes the dates are simply tight. If your lease ends soon, call rather than filling in the form, because most quotes take under five minutes by phone and we can tell you straight away what is possible. We are open Monday to Friday 7am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm, so a weekend move-out is not a problem. Public holidays are by arrangement.
Sorting out what to clean yourself
Not everything needs a professional. Clearing belongings, emptying the fridge and bins, and taking down your own hooks and fixings are jobs only you can do. The heavy work is a different matter: the oven, range hood, bathroom descale, tracks and flyscreens take time and the right products. Doing your part first, then handing over the heavy cleaning, usually keeps the schedule manageable.
Cleaning checklist for move-out day
On the day itself, a short list keeps everything on track:
- Confirm the handover time with your property manager
- Make sure the property is empty before the cleaner arrives
- Leave access to the oven, cupboards, wardrobes and garage
- Point out anything you want checked, such as a stain or a sticky door
- Keep your phone handy, as we are on 0401 398 705
If your move-out date changes
Leases and moves do not always go to plan. If your handover moves earlier or later, let us know as soon as you can so we can rebook the clean. Call rather than email, because the person who answers can actually make a booking and tell you which dates are open. Saturday and Sunday are available within our opening hours, and public holidays are by arrangement.
Moving from the north or across town
Because we are based in Bundoora, the northern suburbs get our fastest response, but we cover all 386 Melbourne metro suburbs, from Werribee to Lilydale. You can check your suburb on our suburbs page. Whether you are leaving a unit in the CBD or a house in the outer east, the same vacate clean applies.
What we do on a vacate clean
Our Bond & End of Lease Cleaning starts from $280 and covers:
- Inside all cupboards, drawers and wardrobes
- Oven, cooktop, range hood and dishwasher
- Bathroom and laundry fully descaled
- Windows, tracks, sills and flyscreens
- Garage sweep and cobweb removal
- A 7-day re-clean guarantee, in writing
We clean to the REIV exit condition standard. If your property manager raises a cleaning issue within 7 days, we come back and fix it free of charge.
Carpets and windows
If the carpets need treating, book it with the same visit. Carpet steam cleaning uses truck-mounted hot water extraction, starts from $35/room and includes spot and stain treatment. Pet odour treatment is available. Window cleaning starts from $8/window. We quote bundles as one job, which makes the timing simpler for you.
Where we work
We are based in Bundoora and cover all 386 Melbourne metro suburbs, with the northern suburbs getting our fastest response. Every cleaner holds a current National Police Check.
Frequently asked questions
When should I book a vacate clean?
As soon as you know your move-out date. Bookings are usually within two to four business days, so booking early gives you a safe margin.
Should I clean before or after the removalists?
After. A property is easiest to clean when it is empty.
Can you work on weekends?
Yes. We are open Saturday 8am to 5pm and Sunday 9am to 4pm. Public holidays are by arrangement.
Does the clean include the oven and windows?
The oven, cooktop, range hood and dishwasher are included. Windows, tracks, sills and flyscreens are also part of the Bond & End of Lease Cleaning inclusions.
What if something is missed?
If your property manager raises a cleaning issue within 7 days, we come back and fix it free of charge.
Can I get a price quickly?
Yes. Most quotes take under five minutes by phone on 0401 398 705.
Lock in your move-out date. Call 0401 398 705 or request a free quote.
Related pages
- End of Lease Cleaning in Melbourne: The Room-by-Room Tenant Checklist
- Bond Cleaning in Melbourne: Be Ready for the Agent Inspection
- Bond Back Cleaning in Melbourne: Giving You the Best Chance at Your Deposit
- End of Tenancy Cleaning in Melbourne: From Notice to Handover
- End of Lease Cleaning in North Melbourne
- End of Lease Cleaning in South Melbourne
- Bond Cleaning in Bundoora: A Local Team With a Written Guarantee
See also our services, contact page and free quote form.