Moving out at the end of your tenancy is a stressful and generally expensive time, so the last thing you want to do is risk not getting your deposit back. One of your biggest tasks (apart from packing!) is getting your house or flat perfectly clean – and perfect is what your landlord is looking for!
So follow our advice to make sure your property is ready for inspection.
Start with dusting
This may have seemed like an awkward task when your papers and ornaments were all over surfaces and ledges, but now that everything is packed away it should be a breeze. Go over all the window ledges, tops of bookcases and cupboards, tops of radiators, skirting boards and don’t forget the light fittings. You might find that you need to use damp cloths in the kitchen as dust that settles there can end up being quite sticky and greasy from cooking vapours.
Sweep any hard floors
Be sure to brush underneath any furniture or kitchen cupboards to get any stray bits of mess that might have found its way there.
Next, the hoovering
Go over all the carpets paying particular attention to the stairs. If you have any pets in the house then you might need to get a special attachment (there are loads on Amazon) to pick up any fuzz that they’ve left lying around.
Tackle the bathroom
First thing to do is to get some bleach in the toilet so it can start working on any grime, if there are any other stains on tiles or surfaces then get some bleach on them too. Wipe down the sink, the bath and outside of the toilet with some antibacterial spray or wipes. Put the shower curtain through the wash or give it a soak in some cold, mildly bleachy water, depending what the label says. If you have a shower cubicle then clean the glass with window cleaner and pay particular attention to the sealant. It may need some extra attention with bleach or another bathroom cleaner. Clean the mirrors, mop the floor and put any mats or rugs in the wash.
The Kitchen
Start by cleaning out the appliances. Inside the microwave, the oven, the fridge and the top of the cooker/the hob. Brush and wipe inside all of the cupboards and drawers, making sure you’ve got all the crumbs that seem to collect everywhere in a kitchen. Clean the fronts and backs of all cupboard doors as well as the fronts of drawers.
Wipe down all the surfaces and countertops and then clean, unclog and polish the sink. Be sure to check that there are no funny smells coming from the drain. If there are then think about homemade drain treatments or shop-bought solutions.
The lounge and bedroom(s)
Dust and hoover these rooms thoroughly as they will have had a lot of use. If the property came furnished then double-check that all of your belongings have been removed and that you’ve cleaned behind and underneath any big items. Don’t forget to check the curtains if there are any, especially if you have pets as pet hair has a tendency to collect at the bottom.
Things that you may have forgotten
Cleaning the windows can make a huge difference to the appearance of the property, it will let more light in and make sure that the place is looking its best for inspection. Door handles and doorknobs often get forgotten, so give them a quick once-over with some antibacterial wipes. Clean any marks from light-switch plates and the surrounding areas as well as any random smudges on walls.
Excellent work. You’re done. Say goodbye and lock the door!
End of tenancy cleaning can be a huge job, but if you get organised and start early then you can do it in parts. But if you don’t have time or feel like you need a helping hand then we’re the ones to call. Our friendly team will pitch in with you or just take the whole thing off your hands. Give us a call today for a no-obligation quote on 07957 235 574.
