Are you moving out of a rented property soon? If that is the case, you are probably busy with a ton of organizational tasks. But there is one thing that should take priority and that is move-out cleaning. If you hope to get back your security deposit, cleaning the place to a good standard is an important task to address.
In certain cases, it will even be mandatory to have professionals clean the property before you move out. You should check your tenancy agreement for such a clause and contact a cleaning company for the task if you have to.
Always use cleaning companies that make sure to follow the cleaning checklist of your landlord strictly in order to avoid any deductions from your rental deposit. One of the best move out and end of tenancy cleaning companies in London in that regard is skycleaners.co.uk. Their end of tenancy cleaning services deal with an extensive checklist of tasks in every room to a very high standard and also have a 5 day cleaning guarantee to make sure that both landlords and tenants are satisfied and there are no deductions from the tenant’s rental deposit fee. If you’re anywhere in the Greater London area feel free to request a free quote from them at +44 7879 101049 or on their website.
If the tenancy contract doesn’t mandate professional cleaning and you are willing to invest the time and effort, then it is time to get down to it. Creating a cleaning checklist is the best way to organize your efforts. Here are the main tasks you should address during move-out cleaning:
Remove nails from the walls and fix the holes
If you have decorated the walls of the place with your own framed pictures and you are taking them with you, it is time to address the holes. You should never leave the rented property with holes from nails and other inventory on the walls, as that can take a large chunk from your security deposit. Other things like hat racks, towel hooks, shower caddies and furniture anchors also leave markings and holes that should be patched up. Fill in the holes repair the damage and touch up the paint before you get down to any other cleaning tasks.
Wipe down doors and door frames
Doors and door frames are some of the most neglected items when it comes to cleaning. The good news is that it is easy to clean these areas to give an entire room that extra sparkle factor for a walk-through. Grab your microfiber cloth and deal with every door and door frame in the house. While you are at it, go for the cabinet doors as well as the hardware.
Dust those ceiling fans
Ceiling fans aren’t the easiest to clean during your normal cleaning rounds, but you need to dust them as part of a move-out cleaning routine. One way of doing this is by using an old pillowcase that you put a fan blade into and then wipe with a wet cloth. All of the dust gets collected in the case and doesn’t fall all over the room. You can also dust them with your vacuum cleaner if it has long enough handles and bendable dusters.
Clean glass surfaces
Invest some effort in cleaning the windows and mirrors of the home. Sparkling clean glass surfaces give off an entirely new vibe to the place. Don’t forget about curtains, blinds and other window treatments as those have likely accumulated a lot of dust and dirt.
Clean the cupboards and cabinets
This is one of the big tasks of move-out cleaning you should address. Empty every cupboard and cabinet in your kitchen, living room and other areas of the home. Wipe down the crumbs and gunk from the inside. Keep an eye out for pest baits and air fresheners left inside. And while you are at it, you should replace cabinet liners with new ones. That way you will make every cabinet look even cleaner and ready for a fresh start.
Deep clean the bathroom
The bathroom is one of the areas in the home that should get the most attention. It is definitely in need of a deep clean, which means you must address the shower area and bathtub, the sink and the toilet. Work around the grout lines with a toothbrush to remove any gunk. Scrub down the sink and toilet till it shines. You can use a DIY product made out of white vinegar and water in a spray bottle.
Baking soda is also a great solution for the bathroom if you don’t want to work with commercial products. Once you wipe down the entire area, it should be gleaming. Go through the grimiest places a few times till you get a satisfactory result.
Make the appliances look like new
No doubt it may be difficult to clean the greasy surface of the oven, but it is a must-do task. If you are an avid cooker, the appliances you use are probably pretty messy so tackle each one individually. Check the manufacturer’s instructions on the best way to clean them. As for the oven, you can utilize a paste from baking soda and water. Coat the interior and let it sit for a few hours till it softens up and then just wipe with a wet cloth. If that doesn’t cut it, you may need to use a more powerful commercial cleaning product or rely on end of tenancy cleaning services, which can take care of the problem.
Dust the baseboards and trim
Quite often neglected during regular cleaning rounds, the baseboards and trim of the home accumulate a lot of dust and dirt over time. It will make quite a difference when you clean them. The way to do it is simple – a wet dust mop is more than enough to get the job done.
Take care of floors
The final step to move-out cleaning is to vacuum and mop the floors. Begin by vacuuming thoroughly, paying special attention to carpets and rugs. Don’t forget hard-to-reach areas, such as under furniture and around the corners of the room. Be on the lookout for any stains on the carpets, especially if you have a pet at home. Better that you find them than your landlord upon inspection.
You need to go through all of these steps when you are moving out to ensure you are in good standing with your landlord. Don’t forget about end of tenancy cleaning services if you ever feel overwhelmed and worried about the task.