Complete Kitchen Cleaning Checklist Before You Move Out

Kitchen cleaning is hard, but doing it before the rental inspection is harder. The property manager or landlord check every nook and cranny to ensure the property is clean, undamaged and in the same condition as it was at the beginning of the tenancy. Unfortunately, most tenants lose their bond money at this crucial phase due to kitchen issues.

They often forget to clean important spots, such as inside ovens, sinks, areas around faucets, stovetops, etc. The kitchen is more than a place where you prepare meals. Overlooked buildup grease, grime and gunk can harbour lethal germs and bacteria, causing foodborne illnesses. That’s why landlords pay special attention to the kitchen!

Understanding your responsibilities as a renter is one thing and staying active during the cleaning process is another. With piles of other moving related tasks to handle, it becomes quite easy to overlook important spots. Fret not! Here is a comprehensive kitchen cleaning checklist to deliver effective and efficient results at the end of the tenancy in Melbourne. To make it manageable, stock up on necessary supplies in advance, including DIY cleaners, scrubbing pads and brushes.

Let’s Get Started!

1. Arrange Necessary supplies You’ll Need

As mentioned above, you’ll need cleaning products and tools to tackle grease, grime and bad odours with perfection. So, here is a comprehensive list of supplies you’ll need:

• Microfibre cloths and dusters
• Vacuum cleaner
• Brushes and Sponges
• An old toothbrush
• A mop and bucket
• White vinegar
• Baking soda
• Warm water
• Lemon
• Castile Soap
• Essential oils
• Dish soap, etc

Tip: End of lease cleaning Melbourne professionals recommend a patch test before using a cleaner on any surface. So, be careful when cleaning your rental property.

2. Declutter Your Kitchen Pantry and Fridge

Begin the process by decluttering your kitchen cabinets, drawers and shelves. There is no point in dusting or scrubbing if your pantry is filled with food containers and packets. So, take everything out of your pantry and place it on the table or counter. Go through each item and get rid of expired products. Empty jars and torn packages should be disposed of in the trash.

Make sure to declutter your fridge as well to get rid of stale food or leftovers. This will save you a lot of cleaning time. You can also plan your meals to reduce food wastage.

3. Dust Light Fixtures and Fittings

Use a microfibre cloth with an extendable handle to reach ceiling fans, walls, exhaust fan and fittings. Clean from top to bottom to save time and energy. This will help you remove dust, debris, and spider webs and inspect marks while preventing injuries during the cleaning process.

4. Degrease Cabinets and Drawers

Once you've removed all food items, wipe down your wooden cabinets and cupboards, both inside and outside, using a damp microfibre cloth. To remove buildup grease and oil splatters from the wooden polish, prepare a paste of baking soda and warm water and gently scrub the surface with a sponge. Use a brush to get into nooks and crannies. Lastly, wipe down with a damp cloth and buff dry to achieve spotless shine.

You can also hire end of lease cleaners Melbourne for efficient cleaning outcomes at the end of your tenancy. With their assistance, you can easily tackle stubborn grime and gunk from crannies, leaving a lasting impression on your landlord. This can help you avoid rental disputes at the end of your lease.

5. Deep Clean Oven and Stovetop

The majority of tenants lose bond money due to half baked cleaning, and the oven is one of the most overlooked appliances. Over time, it accumulates food particles, burnt on stains, carbon deposits and oil splatters that can be a breeding ground for lethal germs and bacteria. Here is a step by step guide:

• Remove and submerge greasy racks in hot water. Add a few drops of castile soap. You can also scrub the racks with soda crystals.
• Coat the interior walls and sides with baking soda paste. Do not apply it on heating coils. Allow it to sit for half an hour.
• Next, wipe down the interiors with a sponge and spray white vinegar solution to eliminate the remaining gunk.
• Meanwhile, wipe down the oven doors, panels, and other surfaces.
• Use baking soda to scrub the stovetop. Remove burners and submerge them in soapy water to remove grease.
• Do not forget to clean the stovetop underneath.

6. Refresh Your Microwave

The trick is simple yet effective. Take a microwave safe bowl and add water, half a cup white vinegar and a few slices of lemon. Heat this solution in your microwave for 2 minutes. Leave it for another 10 minutes. This allows steam to break down caked on grease, grime and food splatters, making it easier to wipe down the microwave. Use the same solution to clean exterior parts, glass doors and panels.

7. Do Not Forget Your Refrigerator

Turn off your refrigerator to prevent electrical hazards. Next, take out shelves and drawers and soak them in hot, soapy water. Meanwhile, spray white vinegar inside your fridge to loosen food splatters, oil stains, grime and gunk. Use a sponge or soft bristled brush for scrubbing. Clean top to bottom, inside and outside, to keep germs at bay. Ensure you clean the door gaskets with an old toothbrush. Cleaning behind the fridge is also important to pass your rental inspection.

Tip: Place a cup of baking soda or coffee beans in your fridge to freshen it up after cleaning.

8. Clean Rangehood and Filters

Most tenants forget to clean the rangehood, which tends to accumulate cooking grease, grime, and stubborn stains over time. To create a sparkling kitchen, wipe down the exterior parts of your rangehood using vinegar solution. Baking soda paste can also do wonders in degreasing your stainless steel appliances.

Take your efforts to the next level and remove buildup grease from filters. Soak it in hot, soapy water for half an hour and see the magic yourself.

9. Wipe Down Countertops & Backsplash

Kitchen countertops and backsplashes endure a lot of abuse due to everyday cooking. To remove grease and grime, use baking soda and borax solution for spotless results. Whether it's granite, marble, or laminate, natural stone surfaces can withstand alkaline based cleaners. Also, wipe down the backsplash and grout lines to eliminate cooking messes.

10. Clean and Disinfect Sink and Faucets

Sinks and taps can be breeding grounds for lethal germs and bacteria, leading to foodborne diseases. First of all, apply baking soda paste to scrub the sink and spray white vinegar on the faucets. Scrub the nooks and crannies to remove mineral deposits and limescale. Rubbing alcohol spray can help kill germs from taps and other frequently touched surfaces.

11. Clear Clogged Drains and Garbage Disposal

No wonder why tenants miss garbage disposal when sprucing up their kitchen for the final inspection. They find the process quite laborious and tricky. But, in reality, you can clean blocked drains in no time. Pour hot water down the drain to pass through gunk and grime.

Next, drain a cup of baking soda, followed by a cup of vinegar. The duo will create a foaming reaction that can help break down the buildup of grease, grime, and food splatters. Lastly, run hot water again!

12. Sweeping and Mopping Floors

Use a soft bristled broom to remove food debris, crumbs and dirt from your floors, including nooks and crannies. After that, mop the engineered wood flooring or other types using pH neutral cleaner to avoid discolouration or other serious damage.

If you find these tasks exhausting, book experts for a reliable end of lease cleaning Melbourne service. They follow a pre approved cleaning checklist to clean almost everything for a hassle free rental inspection.

How to Deep Clean Your Kitchen Before the Final Inspection

Wrapping Up

Deep cleaning a kitchen isn’t challenging when you have a proper checklist. By maintaining a systematic approach and an optimistic mindset, you can easily tackle kitchen grime and grease with perfection. This can help you leave a great impression on your landlord, securing your hard earned bond money.