As your lease term draws to a close, there’s one task looming large: cleaning your rental property. The clock is ticking, and your landlord is waiting. But don’t panic just yet. A thorough end of lease clean is much easier to execute than you might imagine. With the right approach, a solid plan and a bit of effort, not only can you leave your rental spotless, but you’ll leave on good terms with your landlord and maximise your chances of getting a full bond refund. Property managers in Melbourne have high standards when it comes to cleaning, but meeting these expectations doesn’t have to be stressful if you know what to focus on.
This article will guide you through 5 simple steps to ace your end of lease cleaning. Be it creating a checklist, gathering essential supplies, tackling each room efficiently or considering taking the help of professional services like expert End of Lease Cleaners Melbourne, these steps will help you get your job done in a flawless manner. Follow these steps and hand back your keys with confidence, knowing you’ve ticked off all the right boxes for a full bond return.
1. Create a Comprehensive Checklist for Cleaning
Having a detailed cleaning checklist is a must. Most rental agreements will lay out what is expected by the landlord for the end of lease cleaning, but it’s always better to go beyond the minimum cleaning standards stated in the contract. Ideally, your checklist should include things like dusting, wiping and cleaning all surfaces, including skirting boards and light switches; cleaning the windows, their sills and the blinds; deep cleaning of the carpets, flooring and tiles is also necessary. Many contracts will also state that the kitchen appliances, like oven, stove, range hood, etc., should be thoroughly scrubbed and cleaned, and any mould or grime found in the bathroom mirrors, tiles or sinks need to be cleared out.
Having a checklist will help you in keeping track of your progress and make sure that you haven’t missed anything. If you have any doubts about the process consult the lease agreement or ask the landlord for clarifications.
2. Gather the Right Cleaning Supplies
Once you have your checklist ready, the next step is to gather all the necessary tools and supplies you’ll need to execute the cleaning job. Using the correct tools and products will not only make your job easier but will also ensure that you’re doing an efficient job. Some of the essentials include:
- Multipurpose cleaner and disinfectant
- Glass cleaner for windows and mirrors
- Baking soda and vinegar for natural stain removal
- A vacuum cleaner with strong suction
- Microfiber cloths and sponges
- A mop and bucket for floors
For tough stains, like grease in the kitchen or soap scum in the bathroom, you may need specialised cleaning solutions and investing in quality products is recommended by many professionals like the expert end of lease cleaning Melbourne, as they help in saving time and effort. All while ensuring you get the best results.
3. Tackle One Room At A Time
Trying to tackle the entire home at one go is a recipe for frustration and disaster, not to mention you’ll get overwhelmed pretty soon. The best way to approach this is by taking a room-by-room sequence. You can start with the least frequently used areas of the home, like the spare bedrooms, and then move on to the more high-traffic areas, like the kitchen and bathrooms. For the bedroom and living area, dust and wipe all surfaces, clean the windows (inside and out), vacuum the carpets and mop the floors, making sure to remove any dirt or stains. In the kitchen, pay special attention to appliances like the oven, stovetops, range hoods, etc., as they accumulate a lot of grease. Empty out every drawer, cabinet and refrigerator and make sure there is no food residue left behind.
For the bathroom, clean the toilet (including under the seat and around the base), remove any signs of mould or grime from all surfaces, scrub the shower and the bathtub and polish all fixtures for a sparkling finish. Working systematically will allow you to go through each room at a suitable pace and will ensure you don’t miss out on any critical areas.
4. Pay Attention To The Details
End of lease cleaning requires more than just surface-level cleaning, as the landlords will inspect every nook and cranny of the house. So, gear up for a deep clean session. There are many areas that go overlooked during routine maintenance that need to be tackled when handing over your house. For example, the light fittings and ceiling fans need to be rid of dirt, the debris behind and under the furniture needs to be cleared away, all door handles and switchboards need to be disinfected, and the outdoor areas of the home (if applicable) need to be removed of cobwebs, extra long hedges and grass.
Focus on these minute details may seem like a lot, but trust the fact that it is very much required and will help you avoid any unnecessary deductions from the bond.
5. Consider Hiring Professional Cleaners
Life is unpredictable and sometimes you may not have the necessary time or energy to spend on cleaning the house yourself. In such cases, if you want to ease your troubles and still get the best results, hiring a team of professional who specialise in the task of end of lease cleaning in Melbourne would be a good investment. Many cleaning companies offer services that are designed to meet the standards set by the landlords of the area. To do this, they use industrial-grade equipment and tools to handle all cleaning-related issues like stubborn stains, carpet steam cleaning and even deep sanitation.
When booking such services, look for companies that offer a bond back guarantee (i.e., if any issue arises cleaners return to re-clean with no extra charge) and who have a lot of positive reviews from customers. This will ensure that you’re choosing the right service.
Simple Steps to Ace Your End of Lease Clean
Wrapping Up
End of lease cleaning can be daunting, but it doesn’t necessarily have to be so. By following the above steps for end of lease cleaning, you’ll be able to ensure that you not only ace the cleaning job but leave on good terms with the landlord, your bond deposit in your pocket and a good reference for your future rental endeavours. Good luck and happy cleaning!