How to Clean Your NYC Apartment to Get Your Security Deposit Back
04.07.2026
To get your security deposit back, clean your apartment back to its move-in condition: scrub the kitchen and bathroom, wipe down walls and baseboards, clean inside appliances, wash windows, and remove every scuff and grease mark. In New York, normal wear and tear isn't deductible, but dirt and grime are. Document everything with dated photos before you hand over the keys.
What you'll need
- All-purpose cleaner and a degreaser (for the kitchen)
- Bathroom cleaner or a bathroom-safe scrub
- Glass cleaner for windows and mirrors
- Microfiber cloths and a couple of sponges (one non-scratch)
- A Magic Eraser-type melamine sponge for wall scuffs
- Vacuum and a mop with a bucket
- Baking soda and a stiff brush for grout and oven grime
- Spackle, a putty knife, and touch-up paint for nail holes
- Trash bags and rubber gloves
Step by step
- Empty and photograph first. Remove all your belongings, then take dated photos of every room, closet, and appliance before you start. These protect you if the landlord disputes the condition later.
- Patch nail holes and marks. Fill picture-hook and TV-mount holes with spackle, let dry, sand smooth, and dab on matching paint. Landlords deduct heavily for walls dotted with holes.
- Attack the kitchen. Degrease the stovetop, backsplash, and the wall behind the stove. Clean inside the oven with a baking-soda paste left to sit, then scrub. Wipe out the fridge, defrost the freezer, and pull the appliances out to sweep behind them if they roll.
- Scrub the bathroom. Work on soap scum in the tub and on tile, clean the grout with a baking-soda paste and stiff brush, descale the showerhead and faucet, and clean the toilet inside and out.
- Wipe walls, doors, and baseboards. Use a melamine sponge on scuffs, fingerprints around switches, and marks along the baseboards. In a small NYC unit these details are the first thing a landlord notices.
- Clean the windows and sills. Do the glass, tracks, and sills. If a window painted shut won't open, clean the inside pane and note in your photos that it doesn't open.
- Dust the radiators and vents. Steam radiators collect dust and dried spills. Wipe them down once they're cold, and clear any dust on top.
- Floors last. Vacuum carpet, sweep and mop hard floors, and spot-clean stains. Work from the far wall toward the door.
- Take a final set of photos. Match the angles from your move-in photos if you have them.
What NOT to do
- Don't use abrasive scrubbers on stainless, acrylic tubs, or glass cooktops. They leave permanent scratches a landlord can charge for.
- Don't mix bleach and ammonia (or bleach and other cleaners). The fumes are dangerous, especially in a small apartment with a window that won't open — ventilate and use one product at a time.
- Don't use harsh chemicals on hardwood or sealed floors. Excess water and the wrong cleaner can warp boards and strip finish. Use a damp mop, not a wet one.
- Don't paint over water stains or repaint whole walls without asking. A mismatched color can cost you more than the scuff would have.
- Don't skip behind and under appliances. That's exactly where landlords look during a walkthrough.
When to call a pro
DIY handles most of a clean apartment, but move-out day is chaotic: you're packing, coordinating movers, and racing a lease deadline, often with almost no storage for supplies. If the oven is caked, the grout is stained, or you simply don't have a free day before handover, a professional deep clean is usually cheaper than a deposit deduction and gives you a receipt to show your landlord. When you'd rather spend the day moving than scrubbing, book a move-out cleaning with CleanWhale.
FAQ
Does cleaning guarantee I get my full deposit back?
No. Cleaning removes dirt-based deductions, but landlords can still charge for actual damage, unpaid rent, or items beyond normal wear and tear. A thorough clean removes one of the most common reasons deposits get reduced.
What's the difference between "wear and tear" and damage in New York?
Normal wear and tear, like faded paint or minor carpet wear, can't legally be deducted from your deposit in New York. Damage and excessive dirt, like a filthy oven or stained grout, can be. That line is exactly why cleaning matters.
How long before I move out should I start cleaning?
Give yourself at least a full day after your furniture is out, since empty rooms reveal marks that furniture hid. In a studio or one-bedroom you can often finish in a day; add time for a caked oven or heavy bathroom scale.
Should I photograph the apartment even after cleaning?
Yes. Dated before-and-after photos are your best evidence if a landlord tries to make a deduction. Under New York law your landlord must return the deposit or an itemized list of deductions within 14 days of move-out.
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