Step-by-step guide to end of lease cleaning

by jyoti singh digital marketer

Introduction

Most renters have experienced the end-of-lease cleaning process: you move out of your rental premises, and then you have to clean everything before the landlord can return your bond.

De-clutter

With the end of lease cleaning checklist, you can rest assured that your property will be left in superb condition.

Before we start with the actual cleaning process, there's one last thing to do: de-clutter. This is a good time to get rid of everything you don't need or want anymore. It may seem like a lot of work at first but trust us; it's easier than it seems and can make all the difference between having a successful move out experience and having to deal with an overwhelming mess on moving day!

Walls

Make sure you have a soft cloth, warm water, and mild detergent on hand.
Start by wiping the walls with the wet cloth.
If there is any soap residue left on the wall after cleaning it well with the cloth, use a sponge or cloth to wipe it off.
Make sure that you clean behind appliances and furniture as well so that they are not covered in dust when you move out of your apartment at the end of your lease agreement.

Lights and light switches

Clean light switches, doorbells and fixtures.
Clean light bulbs and coverings (if they are removable).
Clean sockets

Carpets

Vacuum the carpets as soon as possible after you return the property. This is particularly important if your tenant had pets or children, as they can leave behind a lot of dirt and debris.
Use a carpet shampooer to remove any stains that have resulted from spills or pet accidents over the course of your tenancy, or use a steam cleaner if you have one handy (if not then just follow Step 5 below). If you don't have either of those things on hand, then just use an all-purpose cleaner instead; spray generously over areas with staining and rub in with a brush until no more residue remains (you should also do this for hardwood floors).
When all surface cleaning is done, sit down with some music on in order to relax as you vacuum up what's left behind!

Blinds, curtains and drapes

Remove all curtains and blinds
Clean all windows, including glass and frames
Vacuum window tracks
Wash all curtains and drapes in hot water with a mild detergent
Hang them back up

Exhaust fan, extractor and range hood

The exhaust fan, extractor and range hood should be cleaned using a vacuum cleaner or a soft brush. If you are using a vacuum cleaner, make sure that it is not too powerful and will not damage the ducting or the venting.

The range hood can be cleaned with warm soapy water.

Air conditioner filters

Clean air conditioner filters will improve air quality. A clean filter can also help to reduce the strain on your system, which will save you money in the long run.

Before replacing your filters, make sure that they aren't just dirty—if they're too clogged with dust, they may cause damage to your unit and shorten its lifespan. If you suspect that these are the problem, try cleaning them first by vacuuming or dusting off as much debris as possible from each side of the filter and then running it through a washing machine cycle before installing it again (check your owner's manual for more specific instructions).

If replacing is necessary:

Remove old filter(s) from unit and replace with new ones; if there is more than one type of filter installed in an individual AC unit (i.e., a separate heating/cooling system), consider replacing one type every three months rather than both at once to prevent overworking yourself or others assisting in this process; do not forget to turn off power before removing anything!
Clean out interior surfaces where old filters were removed using warm water mixed with mild detergent - use small amounts so that no liquid spills onto electrical components inside unit itself! Always remember safety first when performing any sort of maintenance work around house appliances like this one; always turn off power switch located somewhere near circuit breaker panel at back wall baseboards prior to doing anything else - never attempt any unnecessary repairs without proper knowledge/expertise because it could result injury otherwise!

Oven, grill and microwave

Clean the oven, grill and microwave with a soft cloth and cleaning solution. Don't use abrasive cleaners on the glass as they will scratch it.
Don't use harsh chemicals on the grills.
Don't use abrasive cleaners on the knobs and handles. In fact, don't even get them wet! For that matter, don’t let water sit in any part of this appliance for long periods of time either: moisture is bad news for any mechanical device, especially those containing electrical components (which most do).
Don’t use abrasive cleaners on any part of your oven doorframe or sealant strips around its interior edges—both are delicate pieces that are better left untouched until you move out!

Toilet, bidet and basin

Clean toilet and bidet with disinfectant
Clean basin with disinfectant
Rinse well and dry with paper towel
Wipe down basin with disinfectant and towel dry if necessary (if there is not too much soap residue left behind)
Wipe down sink using a little bit of the same disinfectant on a clean cloth or sponge, then wash your hands

Shower screen, tiles, showerhead and bathtub enclosure

Remove the showerhead and clean it with a soft cloth.

Remove the tiles to clean behind them, using a vacuum cleaner if necessary. If you need to remove the tiles entirely, follow these steps:

To prevent water damage to your bathroom’s walls, place plastic sheeting over them before removing the tiles—ideally with tape so that it doesn’t slip down and expose the wall beneath it.
Remove all grout between each tile using an angle grinder fitted with an abrasive disc or by hand scraping. Once you have removed all of this material, use a damp cloth and bleach solution (1 part bleach: 10 parts water) to wipe down each of your damaged tiles until they are free from dirt and stains.

Dishwasher, washing machine (and dryer) filters and lint traps

To clean your dishwasher, follow these steps:

Remove the racks and take them outside to scrub them with a cleaner made specifically for cleaning appliances. Rinse well and allow them to air dry.
Remove the filter from inside the dishwasher and rinse it off with hot water. Turn off the power from underneath your sink before removing this filter; if unsure how to do this, call an electrician or contact your landlord/leaseholder (if applicable) for assistance in doing so.
If it's safe to operate while wet, run another cycle using only hot water—this will help loosen any remaining debris on both sides of the filter and ensure that every nook and cranny is cleaned out thoroughly before placing back into place again! Remember never touch these filters without first turning off all electricity under sink due to risk of shock hazard or death due away from home where no one else may know what happened until later when they find dead body...or worse yet young child dies after touching something electrically charged because parent was distracted by important phone calls about work instead dealing with potentially deadly situation right then...and even then maybe not even notice until later when smell gets stronger because person isn't breathing anymore...

Doors, doorframes, knobs and handles

Remove door hardware
Clean door handles with a soft cloth and mild detergent
Use a vacuum cleaner to clean the door jambs, as well as any fixtures or knobs on the wall near the door (such as light switches)
Wipe down your doors with a damp cloth and dry them

This checklist will help you clean your rental premises to get your bond back.

The end of lease cleaning checklist should include the following:

Cleaning of all windows, including sills and frames.
Cleaning of all light fittings and globes (including ceiling fans).
Cleaning of all mirrors, including glass shower screens.

It is important to clean the rental premises thoroughly before moving out so you can get your bond back. You may also want to take photos or a video with a tablet or smartphone as proof that you have cleaned thoroughly during your tenancy period for future reference or if anyone disputes the fact that they were not properly cleaned upon move out.

Conclusion

If you need to do an end of lease clean, this list will help you make sure that your rental premises are spotless. It covers all the areas of a house or apartment that need to be cleaned, from walls and floors to blinds and light switches.