If you have ever rented in Denver, you know the drill. You spend weeks packing, hire movers or bribe friends with pizza, haul everything out, and then comes the part everyone dreads: the cleaning. You are exhausted, your back hurts, and you still have to make this place look like you never lived there if you want to see your security deposit again.
Denver's rental market is competitive. Average security deposits in the metro area typically run one month's rent, which at current Denver prices often means $1,500 to $2,500 or more. That is real money, and landlords know it. They will nitpick. They will check behind the stove. They will run a finger along the top of the refrigerator.
This checklist covers everything you need to address to pass even the most rigorous walkthrough. Bookmark it, print it, or forward it to your roommates. You will thank yourself later.
Before You Start: The Game Plan
Timing matters. Ideally, you want to schedule your move-out cleaning after all furniture and boxes are out but at least one to two days before your final walkthrough. This gives you time to catch anything you missed and do touch-ups. Here are a few ground rules before you grab the cleaning supplies:
- Take photos before and after. Document every room once it is cleaned. If there is a dispute about your deposit, timestamped photos are your best evidence.
- Review your lease. Some Denver leases specify cleaning requirements, like professional carpet cleaning or specific products for hardwood floors. Know what your landlord expects before you start.
- Check your move-in condition report. If you documented damage when you moved in, make sure your landlord still has that on file. You should not be charged for pre-existing issues.
- Gather supplies. All-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, baking soda, white vinegar, Magic Erasers, microfiber cloths, a mop, a vacuum, and trash bags. A razor blade scraper helps for stubborn sticker residue.
Kitchen Checklist
The kitchen is where most deposit deductions happen. Landlords know that kitchens take the most abuse, so they inspect them the most closely. Leave nothing to chance.
- Clean the inside of the oven thoroughly (remove racks and soak them separately)
- Clean the stovetop, including drip pans and burner grates
- Wipe down the range hood and clean or replace the grease filter
- Clean the microwave inside and out (steam with water and lemon to loosen splatter)
- Empty and wipe down the refrigerator: all shelves, drawers, door compartments, and the exterior
- Pull the refrigerator out and clean the floor underneath and behind it
- Clean the dishwasher interior, including the filter, door edges, and rubber gasket
- Wipe down all countertops and backsplash areas
- Clean inside all cabinets and drawers (crumbs and shelf liner adhesive)
- Scrub the sink and polish the faucet (use vinegar for hard water deposits)
- Run the garbage disposal with ice cubes and lemon
- Degrease cabinet fronts, especially near the stove
- Clean light fixtures and switch plates
- Sweep and mop the floor, including corners and along baseboards
Bathroom Checklist
Bathrooms are the second most scrutinized area. Mold, mildew, and hard water stains are the biggest culprits. Denver's water is particularly hard, so if you have not been staying on top of mineral buildup, it may take some extra effort.
- Scrub the toilet inside and out, including the base, behind the bowl, and the tank
- Clean the bathtub or shower thoroughly, including walls, floor, and fixtures
- Scrub grout lines (a paste of baking soda and hydrogen peroxide works well)
- Descale the showerhead (soak overnight in vinegar if needed)
- Clean the shower door or replace the shower curtain liner
- Wipe down the vanity, sink, and faucet
- Clean the mirror streak-free
- Clean inside the medicine cabinet and any cabinets under the sink
- Wipe down towel bars, toilet paper holder, and any hardware
- Clean the exhaust fan cover (remove and wash if possible)
- Check for and address any mold around caulking
- Sweep and mop the floor, including behind the toilet
Bedrooms and Living Areas Checklist
These rooms are generally easier but have their own gotchas. Wall damage and carpet stains are the most common deposit deductions in living spaces.
- Remove all nails, hooks, and anchors from walls
- Fill nail holes with spackle and touch up with matching paint if possible
- Clean scuff marks on walls with a Magic Eraser (test in an inconspicuous spot first)
- Wipe down all baseboards
- Clean all window sills, tracks, and blinds
- Clean inside all closets: shelves, rods, and floors
- Dust and wipe down ceiling fan blades
- Clean light fixtures, light switch plates, and outlet covers
- Clean all doors, including the tops and door handles
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly (including closets and corners)
- Mop hardwood or tile floors
- Clean sliding door tracks if applicable
Laundry Area Checklist
- Clean the inside of the washer (run an empty hot cycle with vinegar)
- Wipe down the exterior of both washer and dryer
- Clean the lint trap and the area around the dryer vent
- Wipe down any shelving or cabinets
- Sweep and mop the floor
- Clean the utility sink if there is one
Whole-Home Tasks
These are the details that separate a good cleaning from a deposit-saving cleaning:
- Replace burned-out light bulbs
- Replace furnace and HVAC filters
- Clean all air vents and registers
- Test smoke detectors and replace batteries if needed
- Clean the front door inside and out
- Wipe down the garage interior if applicable
- Sweep patios, balconies, and entryways
- Remove all personal items, including from storage areas
- Take out all trash and recycling
- Do a final walk through every room with fresh eyes
The Carpet Question
Carpets are the single biggest area of deposit disputes in Denver rentals. Many leases require professional carpet cleaning upon move-out, and landlords frequently deduct for carpet replacement even when the damage is arguably normal wear and tear.
Here is what you need to know under Colorado law: landlords can only deduct for damage beyond normal wear and tear. A few minor stains after a two-year lease is generally considered normal. However, pet stains, large discolored areas, or burns are fair game for deductions.
Our recommendation: if your lease requires professional carpet cleaning, get it done and keep the receipt. If your lease does not specify it, a thorough vacuuming and spot treatment of any visible stains is usually sufficient. But if there are stains you cannot get out on your own, professional carpet cleaning is far cheaper than losing hundreds from your deposit.
Common Mistakes That Cost Denver Renters Their Deposits
After helping hundreds of renters with move-out cleanings across the Denver metro, we have seen the same mistakes cost people money over and over:
Forgetting the Oven
This is the number one item landlords deduct for. A dirty oven screams neglect, and it is the first thing most property managers check. Even if the rest of the apartment is spotless, a greasy oven can cost you $75 to $150 in cleaning charges.
Ignoring Blinds and Window Tracks
Denver's dusty climate means window tracks accumulate a surprising amount of grime. Blinds collect dust on every slat. Many renters completely overlook these, and landlords notice immediately.
Leaving Wall Damage Unrepaired
A $5 tube of spackle and 15 minutes of your time can save you $100 or more in deductions. Fill every nail hole, sand it smooth, and if you have leftover paint from when you moved in, touch it up. If you do not have matching paint, at least fill the holes. Landlords are much more forgiving of slightly mismatched paint than of holes in the wall.
Rushing Through the Bathroom
Hard water stains around faucets and on shower doors are extremely common in Denver. They are also extremely noticeable. Take the time to properly descale fixtures. White vinegar or a commercial lime and calcium remover will handle most buildup.
Not Documenting the Condition
This is not a cleaning mistake, but it costs renters their deposits constantly. Take photos and video of every room after cleaning. Email them to yourself so you have a timestamp. Under Colorado law (C.R.S. 38-12-103), landlords must provide an itemized list of deductions within one month. If you have documentation showing the unit was clean, you have leverage to dispute unfair charges.
Your Move-Out Cleaning Timeline
Here is the schedule we recommend for a stress-free move-out:
Two weeks before move-out: Review your lease for any specific cleaning requirements. Book professional cleaning if needed. Begin decluttering and packing non-essentials.
One week before: Finish packing. Begin cleaning rooms that are already empty. Start on walls (spackle, touch-up paint) since these need drying time.
Moving day: Get everything out. Do a rough sweep and clean of all surfaces.
Day after move-out: Return for the thorough cleaning. Work top to bottom, back to front in each room. An empty home is dramatically easier to clean than one full of furniture.
Day before walkthrough: Final inspection. Walk through every room, check every detail against this list. Take all your documentation photos.
When to Hire a Professional
Look, moving is one of the most stressful experiences in adult life. You are managing logistics, utilities, address changes, and a thousand other details. Adding a full-home deep clean on top of all that is a lot to ask of yourself.
A professional move-in/move-out cleaning typically costs far less than what you stand to lose from deposit deductions. Our crews know exactly what landlords and property managers look for because we clean dozens of rental turnovers every month across the Denver metro. We bring the right equipment, the right products, and the experience to get it done quickly and thoroughly.
Plus, many of our clients use the receipt from a professional cleaning as documentation in case of deposit disputes. It demonstrates that you took reasonable steps to return the unit in good condition, which carries weight if things escalate.
Whether you tackle it yourself with this checklist or bring in professionals, the goal is the same: leave that unit spotless and get every penny of your deposit back. If you want help, Denver Clean Home is ready. Call us at (720) 352-8598 or request a free quote online.