How should you clean your apartment when your lease ends ?

Many tenants find the end of a lease a stressful time, especially when it comes to returning the property in a clean and pristine condition. Landlords often have high cleanliness standards, and you need to consider all the items and installations that need to be cleaned. Sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin.

In this article, we will provide all the information you need to clean your property before your lease ends.

List of items to clean

When you move out of a rented property, you have to leave it as clean as it was when you first moved in. That means you must clean all the items that you used during your stay. Here is a list of items to clean before the end of your lease.

1) Floors

Floors need to be deep-cleaned. If you have a carpet, you need to have it professionally hoovered or steam-cleaned to get rid of any engrained dirt.

Conversely, if you have a wooden floor, you need to clean it with a specially designed product. For example, you can use white vinegar and sodium bicarbonate for this.

2) Windows

Windows must be cleaned both inside and outside, including frames, panes and shutters.

For an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to chemicals, you can use white vinegar diluted in water as a cleaning product.

3) Kitchen

The kitchen needs to be deep-cleaned. You need to clean :

• Cupboards
• Drawers
• Electrical appliances
• Counters
• Basins
• Cooker hood

You must also check that all the devices are working correctly and replace bulbs, if necessary.

4) Joints

The joints in the bathroom and kitchen must be deep-cleaned to get rid of any damp or engrained dirt.

You can use a special cleaning product for joints or white vinegar if you prefer an eco-friendly approach.

5) Built-in storage fittings

All the built-in fittings, such as cupboards, cabinets and shelves, must be emptied and deep-cleaned.

6) Cellar

If you have a cellar, you need to clear it out and clean it. You must also make sure there is no damp and that no fungi are growing.

7) Filling in holes

Before leaving your apartment, you have to fill in any holes that you have made in the property’s walls using putty or plaster.

Cleaning tips and tricks

Here are some practical tips to help you clean the various parts of your property when your lease comes to an end. They facilitate the task of getting it cleaner and dirt-free and returning it in tip-top condition with the keys to the landlord.

Start by sorting through everything

It’s vital to start by separating all the items from the furniture in your rented property and decide what you are going to keep, sell, give or throw away.

You will then be able to clean the surfaces more easily.

Clean the surfaces

First of all, you will need to clean and polish all the surfaces using a product and a soft cloth. That includes counters, shelves, cabinets and cupboards, walls, windows, mirrors, doors and handles.

Secondly, you are advised to clean all electrical appliances, such as the refrigerator, oven, dishwasher and washing machine, on the inside and outside. Don’t forget to unplug appliances before cleaning them.

The same applies to the flooring. You must hoover and sweep all the floors, before washing them with a suitable cleaning product. Make certain that corners and skirting boards are also clean.

Lastly, clean the bathroom, starting with the bathtub, the shower, wash basin, toilets and mirrors with an appropriate cleaning product.

Check the electrical fittings

You need to check all the plugs, switches and bulbs, and make sure that they are all working properly. As a tenant, you need to replace any bulbs that are no longer working.

Vacuum-clean

Hoover the apartment to get rid of any dust and dirt. If necessary, bring in a professional cleaning service to remove any stains.

Get rid of any lingering odours

Use an air freshener or a spray to eliminate any unpleasant odours.