Tennancy Advice for Your End of Lease Cleaning in Australia

Before you pack your belongings and change locations within our beautiful Australia, you must first take care of the property you are leaving. Doing so will not only help you get your bond money back, which will come in handy for your other moving expenses, but also help maintain good relations with the landlord.

The way you take care of your property is by giving it an end of lease cleaning. In short, this is a deep cleaning and sanitisation of the property and is usually the tenant’s responsibility as part of their contract. It can be a daunting task, sure, but you can make it easier for yourself by preparing well in advance with the right tenancy advice.

So, if you:

• Are a tenant about to move;
• Have a cleaning plan so far, but want to know if you’re missing any crucial information.

Then read along!

Preparing for end-of-lease cleaning

Believe it or not, the preparation stage doesn’t even include actions like scrubbing or washing. That comes later, for now, you need to…

Review your lease agreement and cleaning requirements

Not only will you understand the cleaning expectations, but you will also determine if there are any specific areas that require extra attention. Some examples include light fixtures, blinds, walls and baseboards. These are often forgotten by tenants but are important nevertheless.

When you know the requirements and follow them, you avoid any potential disputes with your landlord.

Create a checklist

Create a checklist that covers all areas of the property, such as the kitchen, bathroom, living area, and bedrooms. Make sure to include any specific cleaning tasks or requirements mentioned in your lease agreement such as: deep cleaning your carpets, cleaning the curtains and couch covers, cleaning the tiles and the grout between them.

Gathering necessary supplies and equipment

Purchase cleaning products such as, all-purpose cleaners, glass cleaners, and oven cleaners or use their eco-friendly alternative solutions which include white vinegar, water, rubbing alcohol and baking soda.

Supply yourself with cleaning tools like a vacuum cleaner, mop, and several microfiber cloths. It’s also important to check the condition of the equipment you plan to use. You may need to empty the rubbish compartment of your vacuum cleaner before starting.

Relocate your pets until you’re done

It’s best to leave your furry friends with somebody close, so they wouldn’t get in the way of your cleaning efforts. Most pets get scared of noisy vacuum cleaners anyway, so you can save them the stress, by just leaving them with a friend.

Room-by-room cleaning guide

Now when you have gone over your lease agreement and made the necessary preparations, it’s time to start cleaning the property one room at a time. Keep it that way instead of going into random rooms and losing track of your cleaning progress. Also, always clean from top to bottom, so you wound’t have to clean the floor.

Kitchen

• Make sure to clean the inside and outside of the oven, as well as the stovetop and burners. The oven interior is always the hardest, unfortunately;
• Empty the fridge and freezer and wipe down all surfaces with warm, soapy water. Make sure to defrost the freezer if necessary;
• Wipe down all cabinets and countertops, and clean out any drawers or shelves that need to be emptied.

Bathroom

• Use a toilet brush and cleaner to scrub the inside of the toilet bowl, as well as the outside and base of the toilet;
• Scrub the walls and floor of the shower/tub with a cleaning solution to remove any built-up grime and mold;
• Clean the sink and vanity thoroughly, and make sure to remove any stains or limestone build-up around the faucet and drain.

Living Areas/Bedrooms/Hallways/Staircases

• Vacuum the carpets and mop the floors, making sure to clean up any stains or spills;
• Dust all surfaces, including furniture, shelves, and baseboards;
• Clean the inside and outside of all windows, including any screens or sills that need to be wiped down.

Deep cleaning tips and tricks

It certainly helps to know a few tricks to make your cleaning easier and more effective. Work smart, not hard, as they say. The following tenancy advice is universal, regardless of what room you are cleaning.

1. Declutter before you start cleaning: A clutter-free home is much easier to clean and there’s also less stuff to actually clean. So, donate or throw away items that you no longer need or use.
2. Clean from top to bottom: Start by dusting ceiling fans, light fixtures, and high shelves before moving on to lower surfaces. This will prevent dust and dirt from falling onto surfaces that have already been cleaned.
3. Use a microfiber cloth: Microfiber cloths are great for deep cleaning because they are highly absorbent and can trap dirt and dust effectively. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down surfaces, and rinse it frequently in warm water.

Stains

Now, when dealing with stains, especially on carpets or walls, you need a different approach:

For carpet stains, try mixing one part white vinegar with one part water and apply the solution to the stain. Leave it for a few minutes, after which blot dry with a clean cloth. You can also try using baking soda and water to create a paste and apply it to the stain, letting it dry and then vacuuming it up.

For wall stains, try using a magic eraser or a mixture of warm water and mild dish soap. Gently rub the stain with a sponge or cloth until it disappears.

Pet hair and odours

After you clean the stains, you may run into another problem: pet hair or odours. These can be difficult to remove, but hopefully, you can tackle the problem with the following methods:

For pet hair, try using a rubber broom or a lint roller to remove as much hair as possible from carpets and furniture. You can also vacuum the area thoroughly, using a vacuum cleaner with a pet hair attachment if possible.

For pet odours, try using baking soda to absorb the smell. Sprinkle it on carpets or furniture, let it sit for a few hours, and then vacuum it up. You can also try using an enzymatic cleaner specifically designed for pet odours.

Mould problems

Finally, we come to the mould and mildew issues. Not all homes have them, but if yours does, follow these tips:

For small areas of mould or mildew, try to mix one part bleach with three parts water and apply the solution to the affected area with a spray bottle. Let it sit like that for a few minutes, afterwards scrub with a brush and rinse with clean water.

For larger areas, it’s recommended to hire a professional to help with mould/mildew removal. They will have the equipment and expertise to properly clean the area and ensure that it’s safe to inhabit again.
To prevent mould/mildew growth in the future, make sure to keep areas dry and well-ventilated, and fix any leaks or water damage as soon as possible.

Hiring professional cleaners VS DIY approach

You likely already know that many companies, including Fantastic Services, offer professional end-of-lease cleaning, but you’re unsure whether you should spend the money.

Well, hiring professional cleaners has its pros and cons. Professional cleaners are equipped with the right tools and equipment, have the expertise to clean your home efficiently and offer a bond-back guarantee. However, this service can be costly, and you may not have control over the cleaning methods used. On the other hand, cleaning your home yourself gives you more control and saves money, but you may not achieve the same level of cleanliness.

On average, the cost of professional cleaning for an end-of-lease clean in Australia could range from $300-$450 or more depending on the size of the property and its location. If you decide to clean your home yourself, you may need to purchase cleaning supplies and equipment, as well as dedicate a huge chunk of your personal time. However, you run the risk of not cleaning your home up to the required standard and that could cost you your rental bond.

Takeaways

• Always check your tenancy agreement for any specific instructions or areas you need to clean that you might not have thought of;
• Create a checklist for each room, so you won’t get overwhelmed;
• Relocate your pets, so you can clean without distractions and so they won’t get stressed from the vacuum cleaner;
• Always clean one room and a time and from top to bottom;
• A quality end-of-lease cleaning is important because you will not only get your rental bond back, but also maintain good relations with the landlord.

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