Will Molly Maid Do Dishes? What to Know Before Your End of Tenancy Clean

People get stressed when moving out, and honestly, figuring out what your cleaning crew actually does just adds to the chaos. Molly Maid is famous for their thorough cleaning, but here's the thing—dishes are usually a gray area. If you’re banking on them to handle your dirty pots and pans, it's not as straightforward as you might think.

Most cleaning packages, especially for end of tenancy jobs, focus on wiping down surfaces, scrubbing inside cabinets, cleaning appliances, and making your space look move-in ready. The whole point is to impress landlords or letting agents, not necessarily to catch up on last night's stack of plates in the sink. So, if you’ve got a pile of dishes waiting, it’s worth knowing if that’s something Molly Maid will touch or if you’ll need to handle it ahead of time.

• What Does Molly Maid Normally Clean?
• Do Dishes Come Standard?
• Special Requests and Extra Tasks
• Best Practices for a Stress-Free End of Tenancy Clean

What Does Molly Maid Normally Clean?

When people book Molly Maid for end of tenancy cleaning, they're usually expecting a top-to-bottom fresh start for whoever moves in next. Their teams are trained to handle the big ticket items landlords check, but not every tiny detail is covered under standard service.

The main targets? Kitchens get the royal treatment—think wiping down counters, cleaning the inside and outside of microwave ovens, scrubbing sinks, degreasing stoves, and even cleaning the inside of your fridge if it's empty. Cabinets and drawers are wiped out too, but personal items and leftovers need to be cleared out before the crew gets there.

In bathrooms, it’s all about sparkle. Sinks, toilets, bathtubs, showers, taps, mirrors, and tiles get cleaned and disinfected. No one is left wondering if the place is actually clean—first impressions count big time here.

Living rooms and bedrooms aren’t left behind either. Teams dust skirting boards, wipe horizontal surfaces, vacuum carpets, mop floors, and remove cobwebs. Light switches, doors, and baseboards get some attention too. Any built-in cupboards or closets will be emptied and cleaned inside.

Here’s a quick snapshot of what’s usually included:

• Countertops wiped and sanitized
• Appliances cleaned outside, sometimes inside if empty
• Sinks and taps scrubbed
• Cabinets and drawers wiped inside and out
• Toilets, showers, and baths cleaned
• Mirrors and glass surfaces cleaned
• Floors vacuumed and mopped
• Dusting of ledges, skirting boards, and light fixtures

It’s worth pointing out that rubbish removal, deep carpet cleaning, and things like mold removal might not be included unless you specifically ask and pay a bit extra. Always double check your quote and agree on any extras before booking. Saves everyone headaches later on.

Do Dishes Come Standard?

If you call up Molly Maid and book their end of tenancy cleaning, don’t expect the dishes to vanish from your sink as part of the standard package. Here’s the deal—washing dishes is rarely included in basic cleaning services. The main focus is getting your flat or house ready for handover: floors, bathrooms, inside cupboards, ovens, and all the main surfaces. Dirty plates and pans? Not their primary concern unless you work it out with them in advance.

This isn’t just a Molly Maid thing. A lot of cleaning companies see dishwashing as a personal chore, not part of professional cleaning. It’s actually stated in most of Molly Maid’s job lists and FAQs—the kitchen sink will be emptied and wiped, but lingering dinnerware isn’t part of their checklist unless flagged up front.

Here’s a quick look at what usually Molly Maid handles in a kitchen clean (excluding dishes):

• Wiping all countertops and cabinet fronts
• Scrubbing sinks and taps
• Cleaning the inside and outside of microwaves and ovens
• Wiping down the fronts of appliances like refrigerators and dishwashers
• Mopping floors and dusting lights or vents

Some Molly Maid branches might offer an add-on for dishes if you ask and if the job is small—think a few mugs and plates, not a three-day backlog. But this is never guaranteed. It's best to clarify on the call or when you book online if you’re hoping dishes will be sorted.

If you want your inspection or inventory check to go smoothly, tackling the dishes yourself before Molly Maid arrives really is the safest bet. That way, their team can deep clean the sink and all surrounding surfaces without anything in the way.

Special Requests and Extra Tasks

So, what if you really need those dishes done? Here’s the scoop: Molly Maid usually sticks to a standard cleaning checklist, but they’re pretty flexible if you have something extra in mind. The catch is, you can’t just assume it’ll all get done automatically—especially when it comes to dishwashing, which isn’t usually part of their base offer.

If sparkling clean dishes matter to you—for instance, maybe your rental checklist says the kitchen should be “fully cleared and cleaned”—you’ve got to flag it ahead of time. Most Molly Maid teams will offer extras like dishwashing, oven deep cleaning, or fridge interiors, but they charge for these add-ons. Just mention what you need when you book or talk to the team before arrival.

• If your move-out is on a strict timeline, mention dishwashing (and any other extras) when you first call or email. This gives Molly Maid a chance to prep and quote accurately.
• Don’t leave piles of dishes until cleaning day. Some cleaners might refuse the job if it turns out to be more than expected or cuts into booked time for other tasks.
• If you’ve just got a few plates and mugs, sometimes the crew will wash or load them into the dishwasher at no extra cost. But don’t count on it for a mountain of dirty pots.

For reference, here’s what typical add-ons with Molly Maid can look like in terms of cost or time impact:

The bottom line is, Molly Maid wants to help, but clear communication and honest expectations go a long way—especially if you want a custom clean before your final walk-through.

And just to point it out—if you want to make sure the Molly Maid team has time for these jobs, it’s way easier (and cheaper) to ask at booking than to spring surprises on the day.

Best Practices for a Stress-Free End of Tenancy Clean

If you want your end of tenancy clean to go off without a hitch (and keep your deposit intact), there are a few things you can't skip. Planning really pays off, especially when using a service like Molly Maid. A lot of landlords cling to strict cleaning standards, so little details count.

First things first—declutter before your cleaners show up. They can't clean what they can't see, so pack up your stuff and empty drawers and cupboards. If you're leaving dishes behind, you might want to wash and put them away yourself unless you've cleared it with your cleaning team in advance.

Check your tenancy agreement for specifics. Some properties need carpets steam cleaned or ovens deep cleaned, and Molly Maid can usually add that for a fee if you ask early enough. It also helps to know the areas they won't touch—like washing dishes unless requested, or handling personal laundry.

• Make a checklist of must-clean areas—think fridge, oven, bathroom tiles, window sills, and skirting boards.
• Ask for a quote up front and spell out any extra tasks so there are no surprises. If you want dishes done, mention it when you book.
• Do a quick walk-through after the cleaners finish. If anything’s missing or not quite right, let them know before handing over the keys.

Fun fact: According to several UK letting agencies, about 60% of deposit disputes are linked directly to cleaning. A little prep with your cleaning crew can save a lot of stress later on.

Finally, don’t forget those hidden spots – under the sink, inside drawers, and along baseboards. Landlords (and inventory clerks) actually check these! Spending a few minutes checking behind your cleaner pays off.