Move-out and move-in cleaning · Madison, WI
Madison area
With more than half of Madison homes rented and a huge August turnover, moving out here is a big event. Learn the Wisconsin 21 day rule, how the city handles move-out trash, and what a One-Time Moving Clean will take care of.
What's Covered
The One-Time Moving Clean covers every surface and area that appears on a typical landlord move-out inspection report, not just the surfaces that are easy to clean. Interior appliances, cabinet interiors, baseboards, window sills, and grout are the most common sources of security deposit deductions. All are standard checklist items.
TotalCare Cleaning will work with buyers, sellers, landlords, property managers, and real estate agents in Madison. Coordination with tenants or management can be arranged directly. We will work around closing dates and move-out deadlines.
Pricing starts at $391 for 1 bedroom through $817 for 5 bedrooms. All priced by the home, all supplies included.
🏠 Throughout the Home
🍽️ Kitchen
🚿 Bathrooms
Trust & Safety
Every TotalCare Cleaning professional will be background-checked and screened before their first job in Madison.
✓ Background-checkedEvery TotalCare Cleaning house cleaning in Madison will be covered by $1,000,000 in general liability insurance. From hardwood floors to granite countertops and custom cabinetry, if anything is damaged during the clean, you are fully protected.
✓ Fully InsuredTotalCare Cleaning does not retain, copy, or transport house keys. Entry and access instructions are handled securely through our booking system. You control access to your Madison property at every step.
✓ Keys Stay HomeIf an area on your checklist was missed, report it in your customer portal or by email by the end of the day after your clean, with a photo, and a professional returns to re-clean that area at no charge. No forms, no friction, no arguments.
✓ Re-Clean GuaranteeWe will follow the same standard operating procedure on every single job in Madison. The TotalCare Cleaning standard is not a marketing claim. It is a documented, auditable procedure that governs every hour of work in your home.
Move-out and move-in cleaning Pricing
Priced by the home, not by the hour. Prices start at the amounts shown, from the current Madison rate card, with supplies included.
| Home Size | What's Covered | One-Time Moving Clean (Move-Out) Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 Bed / 1 Bathabout 800 sq ft | The full TotalCare Cleaning standard, appliances, cabinet interiors | starting at$391supplies included | Join → |
| 2 Bed / 2 Bathabout 1,600 sq ft | The full TotalCare Cleaning standard, appliances, cabinet interiors | starting at$493supplies included | Join → |
| 3 Bed / 2 Bathabout 2,000 sq ft | The full TotalCare Cleaning standard, appliances, cabinet interiors | starting at$538supplies included | Join → |
| 4 Bed / 3 Bathabout 2,800 sq ft | The full TotalCare Cleaning standard, appliances, cabinet interiors | starting at$640supplies included | Join → |
| 5 Bed / 4 Bathabout 4,500 sq ft | The full TotalCare Cleaning standard, appliances, cabinet interiors | starting at$817supplies included | Join → |
Priced by the home, never by the hour. Prices start at the amounts shown; your exact price is set by your home. Home sizes assume the square footage shown, and a larger home, extra half baths or add-ons change the price.
Join the Opening List →Move-out is a big event in Madison. About 54 percent of occupied homes are rented, nearly 65,000 post-secondary students live in the area, and the city runs extra collection routes for the August rush.
This guide explains the Wisconsin rule on deposits, how to get a unit ready, and what TotalCare Cleaning's Moving Clean will include.
Wisconsin rule ATCP 134.06 gives a landlord 21 days to return a security deposit, less any amounts lawfully withheld, with a written statement of anything withheld. That is a fairly short window, so make sure your landlord has your forwarding address in writing before you go.
The same rule says a landlord may withhold for tenant damage, waste or neglect, but not for normal wear and tear. Faded paint and worn traffic paths are one thing. A greasy oven and a shower thick with soap and scale are more likely to draw a charge. In Madison's very hard water, that shower can get bad quickly if nobody wipes it.
If you run into trouble, the Wisconsin DATCP Bureau of Consumer Protection takes consumer complaints online or by mail, including landlord-tenant complaints. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Madison runs extra trash, recycling and large item collections for the student move-out, which ran from August 3 to August 21 in 2026, in the area from the Yahara River to N Allen Street and down to Haywood Drive. If you are in that area, watch for the current year's dates, and use them for your unwanted items.
Outside that window, residents schedule large item pickup through an online work order, choose a Sunday to set items out, and crews collect during the following work week. One important catch is that since January 1, 2025, the Streets Division no longer provides large item collection for multifamily properties with more than 8 units. If you live in a larger building, ask your manager how disposal works there.
Sticking to this matters because no home cleaner takes furniture or debris away, and TotalCare Cleaning is no exception. Get the home empty before the visit.
The One-Time Moving Clean covers the deep scope, including hand washed baseboards, wet-wiped blinds, window tracks, wiped fans and vents, and treated shower glass, then adds the inside of the oven, refrigerator and cabinets. A one bedroom starts at $391.00, a two bedroom at $493.00, and a three bedroom at $538.00. The range across sizes is $391.00 to $817.00.
Scale gets particular attention here, because it is one of the most visible signs of a neglected unit. Mention whether the unit has a softener, as the kitchen cold tap usually stays unsoftened even when one is installed, and that faucet tends to show it.
A simple sequence protects you, whatever your landlord's process turns out to be.
Not everyone moves in August. Middleton's rental share is about 54 percent as well, and buildings of 20 or more units hold about 29 percent of Madison's housing, including a lot of newer construction. Winter moves bring their own concerns, with entry floors that see snow and salt. Clear your walk, since Madison does not issue warnings before citing a property for an uncleared sidewalk, and check your lease to see who is responsible.
Frequently Asked Questions
TotalCare Cleaning will service Madison and surrounding areas with background-checked cleaners and is insured up to $1 million. Re-clean guarantee: if we missed something, tell us by the end of the next day and we come back to fix it. Beyond Clean. TotalCare.
