Don't Overlook These 3 Areas In Your Vacate Clean

Posted by Elesha on September 24th, 2018

Moving out of a rental property? Getting your bond returned in full is likely high on your list of moving priorities! Planning to DIY your vacate clean? We’ve got cleaning tips for 3 areas that can be overlooked but are essential to tackle if you want a full bond refund.

Oven

Cleaning your oven is a little like going to the dentist. No one really wants to do it but once it’s over, you feel such a relief! Armed with the right cleaning supplies and some patience, cleaning your oven doesn’t need to be painful. We can’t say the same for your trip to the dentist.

Every estate agent and landlord will pay close attention to the cleanliness of the oven when your final inspection rolls around. The oven should both free of grease and stains.

What you’ll need: A commercial oven cleaning product, heavy duty rubber cleaning gloves, newspaper to lay on the floor beneath the oven, scourer, some damp rags and large plastic garbage bags for the racks.

A commercial cleaning product is recommended here as it’s the fastest and easiest way to remove large amounts of grease buildup. However, this type of oven cleaner is caustic and should be handled with care. There are natural oven cleaning options too but will need to be left to work their magic overnight.

Step 1: Empty your oven of everything inside, racks etc.

Step 2: Lay the newspaper underneath the oven door; this will collect any drips.

Step 3: Put on your gloves and spray the oven cleaner to coat the entire inside of the oven.

Have a gas oven? Don’t spray the area when the gas enters the oven. If you have an electric oven, don’t spray the heating elements.

Step 4: Close the oven door and wait for the time recommended on the cleaner instructions. This is usually about 30 minutes.

Step 5: While you wait, lay the oven racks on the garbage bags and spray them with the cleaner. Then put them inside the bag and tie the top. Leave the racks inside the bag for the instructed amount of time.

Step 6: Time is up! Get your damp cloth and wipe all the surface area inside the oven. Use the scourer to hit those extra tricky spots. Rinse the racks in hot soapy water and wipe them down with the scourer too. Leave your oven door open to get some air circulation happening. When the racks are dry, replace and you’re done!

Bathroom Grout

Like the oven, not many people look forward to cleaning grout in the bathroom but it’s an important area not to overlook in your final inspection. Blackened grout and mildew stains won’t be missed by your estate agent or landlord!

What you’ll need: Bleach, fairy washing up liquid, an abrasive sponge, old toothbrush and rubber gloves, container. 

Step 1: First, get your rubber gloves on! Then apply a limescale remover spray all over the surface area of the tiles and grout. Scrub the whole area with an abrasive sponge and lots of fairy washing up liquid. Yep, you can use it in the bathroom too.

Step 2: Now you’ve removed all the surface dirt, you’ll be left with the tough mould stains in the grout. Mix 2 parts of undiluted bleach with 1 part water in a container.

Step 3: Grab your old toothbrush, dip into the solution and then scrub the grout. Be thorough so the bleach really seeps in. Leave it for around 30 minutes and open windows to get as much ventilation in the bathroom as possible. Bleach fumes are strong and can make you dizzy.

Step 4: Times up! Time for a very thorough rinse of the entire area. You want to make sure every bit of bleach is washed away. It’s great for cleaning, but not great if it comes in contact with bare skin.

Walls

You might be surprised at how clean walls can really improve the look of a property! It’s essential to remove any scuff marks, fingerprints and stains for the final inspection. The trick is to do it without causing streak marks or water damage.

What you’ll need: Sugar soap, gloves, cloth, brush, bucket with clean water, sponge, rag, newspaper.

Step 1: Wipe down or dust off the walls first and lay the newspaper on the floor to collect any water droplets.

Step 2: Put your gloves on and spray the wall with sugar soap. Work your way from the top of the wall, downwards. Most of the stains will be lower down or middle of the wall; especially if you have kids and pets. Leave the sugar soap on the walls for the amount of time instructed on the label.

Step 3: Put the sponge in the clean bucket of water, wring it out then wipe down the walls from top to bottom. Follow up with the rag to make sure the walls are dry and you’re done!

We’ve covered just 3 often overlooked areas but an end of tenancy vacate clean must be a deep and thorough clean of your entire property.

While some tenants DIY, many choose to leave this massive job to professional vacate cleaners, which is a smart decision if your moving budget has room. Not only will it save you hours and hours during an already hectic moving time, calling in the professionals will increase the chance of having your bond returned in full.