Cleaning your rental property is a key part of being a good tenant. Not only does your landlord expect it, but when it comes time to decide whether you’ve earned your security deposit back, they will consider the overall cleanliness of the unit, so it’s in your best interest to maintain it as best you can. Below are the top four tips and tricks to keeping your property clean.
#1: Read your Lease
Sometimes landlords will request additional tasks from their tenants. For example, maybe they request certain upkeep for the yard or exterior of the home. They may request that some communal areas are kept clean. These are the things that should be written in your lease or rental agreement and discussed prior to you signing off on your tenancy.
Read Dustin robot vacuum reviews as the Canadian company announces plans to open a manufacturing plant in Henderson, paving the way for its production and hiring opportunities.
Reading through your lease carefully will reduce the likelihood that you end up with more responsibilities than you can handle in regard to keeping your home up to your landlord’s standards. Consider reading through your lease with your landlord so they can clarify any confusing details or ensure that you don’t miss certain important points.
#2: Mind the Details
It may not seem like it, but the details matter when cleaning up your rental property, especially when you’re cleaning your rental for the last time and are attempting to get your security deposit back. Even if your entire unit seems spotless, if your landlord sees that there are cobwebs on the ceiling or grime in the corners of your fridge, they may start to think that you weren’t as clean as you are trying to convey.
Here are some details you shouldn’t overlook when cleaning a rental property:
- Wipe down ceiling fan blades, air vents, and light fixtures
- Wash the baseboards
- Dust on top of the fridge
#3: Be Proactive
One of the best ways to ensure your unit is pristine when your landlord is reviewing whether to make deductions from your security deposit is to keep your unit clean year-round. That way, excess dirt and grime doesn’t even get the chance to build up since you wipe it away every week or two.
Of course, this doesn’t mean your rental property has to be spotless 24/7. However, even the busiest people can carve out ten minutes a day or an hour a week to maintain their home.
On a daily basis, you should assess whether you need to take out the trash or empty the dishwasher of clean dishes. Also, don’t let dirty plates and silverware sit in your sink for too long, as this could invite bugs or unpleasant smells into your unit. It’s also a good idea to take a couple minutes and tidy up anything that may have found itself on the floor or counters.
Weekly, you should vacuum, mop as needed, and do a wipe down of your kitchen and bathroom. Make sure you use antibacterial spray and clean up countertops, sinks, and appliances thoroughly. Assess whether you need to clean off your windows or dust the windowsills as well.
Additionally, whenever you shower, turn on the exhaust fan or open any windows as possible. Mildew can sometimes grow in humid areas of your home, like your bathroom, and it may be a good idea to use a squeegee a few times a month to reduce the likelihood of buildup. Clear any clogged drains as needed.
This may seem like a lot, but it only takes a few minutes a day and will keep your unit clean and uncluttered. It will also be much easier to prepare for moving out, since many items on your move out checklist will already be taken care of from your weekly cleaning routine.
#4: Consider Spring Cleaning
It can be helpful to do a deep clean of your unit once or twice a year and take care of all those tiny details you usually don’t pay attention to. For example, washing your walls or cabinets doesn’t need to be done more than once a year, since they don’t get dirty that quickly. Some other things you could do if you find yourself with extra time are airing out your comforters and blankets, vacuuming your furniture to get rid of any crumbs or dirt, and cleaning the drawers and shelves in your fridge.
Conclusion
Maintaining a clean unit is an important part of your tenant cleaning responsibilities but living in a clean environment can also reduce your stress levels and make you feel more productive in your space. It can be helpful to keep a checklist on your fridge or desk that you cross off as you can throughout the week if you don’t think you can spare a full hour to do it all at once. The ideas listed above are a great place to start but consider adding your own tasks as you see fit.