There is nothing more than an end of tenancy cleaning to bite you in the wallet when you're moving from one place to another. An end of tenancy cleaning is named as such because cleaners come into the property you've been living in and clean it from ceilings to floors in every nook and cranny. This cleaning is going to help you to get your deposit back and it's a necessary one to do before you move to another house. You may think that you have to pay for the best of the best to come in and make a difference, but it's something that you can do yourself, and we're going to talk you through just how to do it.
Below, we've put together a simple guide to getting that end of tenancy cleaning done so you can get your home deposit back in full. All you need are the right cleaning and clearing supplies. Sure, you can invest in used buffers to get the floors back to their original shine, but the most important thing is that the house is as clean as possible. So, let's dive in and take a look at what you need to know for the best end of tenancy clean possible!
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The first thing that you're going to ask yourself is whether you SHOULD do it yourself, and the answer really depends on you! If you're juggling children and work, doing it yourself as well as trying to move house may not be the best use of your time. There are plenty of cleaning services out there who offer specific end of tenancy cleanings, but that doesn't mean that you necessarily have the money for it. The most cost-effective option is to do it yourself and if you are staying close by, cleaning will be much easier.
The whole property needs to sparkle and the best thing to measure this with is how clean you would like your home to be. Whatever that level of cleanliness is, do that! However, even the most conscientious among us need a little guidance, so we have a few hints of where to get started when cleaning the property yourself.
- Start with your equipment. We talked about floor buffers, and these are a nice extra touch if you want to get the floor shining before you polish and clean it all. You also need upholstery shampoo, cleaning cloths, rag, scourers and more. Consider spray bottles and other cleaning aids to ensure that you can get into the tiny corners of each room.
- Ceilings need to be cleaned as much as the rest of the house, so you need to consider getting a long-handled mop or brush to get into the corners and clear the cobwebs out. Dusters will also do the same job, as these can clear the corners of the room and get rid of old spiders.
- Check all of the walls for scuff marks and fingerprints. These can either be wiped down or repainted, and you should ensure that all of the walls are clean before you say you are happy with the space.
- All of the doors, handles and locks should be cleaned and it should function well. Otherwise you should replace it like for like - it's cheaper for you to do this from the hardware store than wait for your landlord to do it with the expense of a handyman!
- Call in a window cleaner for this one - you can't very well do the outer windows of the house if you have a few storeys to consider. Otherwise, use vinegar and kitchen paper to do this: no streaks!
