When it comes to moving house, end of tenancy cleaning can be the last thing on your mind. In our last 
post we looked at the standards landlords have when it comes to clean carpets. Now we look at the rest of the house. But the task doesn’t have to be an overwhelmingly stressful experience. The best way to tackle it is to take on the house one room at a time.
The Kitchen
The kitchen is probably the room in the house that has seen the most mess over the years (especially for students!) so it’s important to make sure that none of it is left behind. Wipe down all of the surfaces, making sure to remove all stubborn stains. The sink and taps will need to be cleaned thoroughly, getting rid of all lime scale. There are several ways to do this. Soaking a cloth in vinegar and securing it around the taps for about an hour will help lift the lime scale and make it easier to wipe off. You can buy drain unblockers from your local supermarket to unclog that sink. Then, wipe down all of the surfaces in the kitchen, including the doors of the cupboards and the outside of the fridge and washing machine.
Once you have dealt with the externals, it is time to move on to the internals of the kitchen. Make sure nothing is left behind in the fridge or cupboards. End of tenancy cleaning is not just to get your deposit back but also is a curtsey to the next tenants so don’t leave any rotting food or forgotten tins behind. Wipe down the insides of the cupboards and fridge with a store bought cleaning agent, making sure to remove any stains or spills. Then move on to the oven, using an oven cleaning solution to remove those tough grease stains. Don’t forget to check the tiles and grill for grease too.
The Bedroom
Clear out any rubbish from the room. Polish down all of the surfaces and make sure no items have been left behind or forgotten. Vacuum the floors and wipe down the insides of any cupboards. Check the walls for any Blu-Tack stains from posters. You can use a wad of Blu-Tack to remove most marks from walls by rubbing it gently against the mark. Wash the windows and use an odour abolishing spray throughout the room to give it a fresh, clean scent. You can also leave the window open for half an hour to air out the room.
The Bathroom
Start with the toilet. Spread some bleach around the bowl and leave it to sit for about ten minutes. Then use a toilet brush to scrub at the bowl, flushing the residue bleach away afterwards. The sink can be cleaned of lime scale using the same method as in the kitchen. The bath needs to be wiped down thoroughly, removing any stains. Any old shampoo or soap bottles should be thrown away, along with the toilet brush you used. Wipe down the wall tiles and clean the mirrors with an anti-smudge cleaning agent. Finish this room by washing the floor and removing any bins.
The Living Room
Remove any furniture that did not come with the property. Vacuum the sofas and polish any wooden surfaces. Vacuum the floor, making sure to get into the corners so that no dirt is left behind. Dust the whole room and air it out by opening up the windows for at least an hour.
Some general tips for end of tenancy cleaning:
Polish the whole house to remove any unwanted dust and give the surfaces and furniture a fresh, clean appearance.
When cleaning glass surfaces or windows, use cleaners specifically designed for this surfaces. They will usually have an anti-smudge quality which means there will be no unattractive wipe marks left behind.
Don’t forget to clean and polish the door handles too.
Make sure no rubbish is left behind in the house.
Leaving your house in a clean and tidy state is not only crucial for getting your deposit back, but it can often lead to your landlord giving you a good reference, which is important if you are planning to rent in the future. Follow this checklist as you go through your house to make sure you don’t miss anything out! Or if you want to save yourself the stress and experience a professional end of tenancy cleaning service in London, contact us for a quote now.
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