The moving experts at LOVESPACE offer their advice on the best ways to give their property a quick clean that will improve the chances of getting a deposit back.
Renters can often underestimate the task of cleaning a property to a professional standard, however, if a suitable amount of time is allotted to preparing the property it is more than achievable.
Here are the key considerations for a rental deep clean
Plan in advance
A deep clean will take a lot longer than the speedy spring clean you’re used to. Make sure to set aside ample time to get the job done, if you think it might take just a few hours, give yourself a whole day to allow for any hiccups should there be any.
Top to bottom
Before starting the cleaning process it's best to go from top to bottom. That means from upstairs to downstairs and from ceiling to floor. As you’re cleaning, dust and dirt will fall from the top to the bottom, not only does this make your cleaning more effective but it saves you from cleaning a room twice.
Check the cupboards and drawers
Make sure to empty all cupboards and drawers before cleaning, as this will make it easier to remove any marks left by pots, pans and food products. It’s best to use a gentle cleaner like dish soap and water, as too many harsh chemicals or too much water can damage the cabinets.
Hole in the wall
For all the pictures you weren’t meant to put up, now is the time to cover the holes. This can be done simply with a filler and a palette knife. Clean any excess plaster with a small knife and spray the hole with a tiny amount of water – ensuring not to get the surrounding walls too wet. Then fill the hole with your filler using an appropriate knife and aim to make it’s level with the rest of the wall. Once dry, sand the area to smooth out any bumps and then paint the area.
Defrost and descale
If the property was supplied with white goods, you must ensure that they’re left in the condition you found them in. You can descale the kettle by filling it with equal parts white vinegar and water and bringing it to a boil. Discard any limescale and rinse thoroughly to get rid of the vinegar smell. When it comes to the freezer, ensure that it is completely clean using a disinfectant product and then unplug the appliance and leave the door open so that any ice build-up melts.
Go natural
Baking soda and white vinegar are going to be your best friends when you’re moving out. Not only do these ingredients do a professional job of removing dust, dirt and stains but they don’t leave a harsh chemical smell behind them.
Test the carpet
It's best to err on the side of caution when it comes to using cleaning products in rental properties, especially when it comes to upholstery. Before using any product to clean the entire carpet, pick a small non-visible section to test the product on beforehand. Some chemicals may cause a reaction with the carpet so it’s advisable to test in a small area before you spread it over the entire floor and potentially cause some costly damage.
No streaks
Although this may not be the most essential part of your clean, a streak-free, shiny surface can make all the difference. You can make your own streak-free solution by using 1 part of vinegar. This can be used with a microfibre cloth on windows, doors and mirrors to get them sparkling again.
A spokesperson for LOVESPACE, said: “With everyone feeling the financial strain at the moment finding ways to do tasks like deep cleaning your property could save a few pounds.
“Although you may clean your home on a weekly basis, there are specific criteria that landlords will be looking at and expecting to be in immaculate condition or at the very least how it was when you moved in.
“It’s important to remember that you don’t need any fancy equipment to do a deep clean, at least nothing too dissimilar to what you would use for a normal clean.”
