Spring Clean checklist for tenants
- Posted On: 19 Apr 2024
As the warmer weather appears, a lot of our tenants want to get behind the tradition of the big Spring Clean! We’ve put together this handy guide and checklist to help you give your property a top-to-toe clean.
First, make sure you have the right cleaning supplies
You won't get much done without the right cleaning products. Fortunately, there are plenty of sprays and supplies to choose from, which can be easily picked up from supermarkets, hardware, or discount home stores. The list below should be everything you need for your Spring clean:
Glass cleaner
Disinfectant
All-purpose cleaner
Bathroom cleaner with limescale remover
Grout cleaner
Dusters
Microfibre cloths
Sponges
Scouring pads
Rubber gloves
Bucket
Carpet/floor cleaner
Make some time
A proper spring clean takes some time. If you're thinking you can do everything in one afternoon you may be surprised. Allow at least a couple of days or get your housemates involved to make it faster!
Tackle one room at a time
Clean a room at a time and finish it before moving on to the next for a systematic approach. It may be tempting to do a few bits in one room and move on when you get bored, but be strict with yourself and you'll find doing a room at a time is much more efficient and satisfying.
Each room has its own challenges so here is a checklist and tips for each room. Starting with the toughest...
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the toughest places to clean in your property, but with an organised approach, you can get it sparkling.
- Open the windows
- Spray and wipe down all counters and work surfaces
- Spray and wipe the hob
- Scrub the sink and drip-drying area with a limescale removing spray
- Wash or clean used crockery, cutlery, and glassware in the dishwasher (if you have one)
- Run a dishwasher cleaning cycle
- Wipe down all doors and handles
- Clean the exterior of your oven door with a multi-purpose spray
- Clean and scrub the inside of your oven
- Go through the cupboards, fridge and freezer and throw away out of date food
- Empty your fridge and / or freezer and clean down the inside
- Defrost the freezer if there is a build-up
- Dust the top of the fridge and the tops of all cabinets
- Wipe down the inside of all cabinets and drawers
- Clean and polish any windows
- Wipe down light switches (careful not to use anything wet) and door handles
- Sweep, vacuum and mop the kitchen floor
- Carefully pull out the fridge and other appliances such as microwave and clean behind them
- Clean the inside of the oven - this is the hardest job of all
- Take the opportunity to empty drawers and throw away all the old takeaway menus, magazines and odds and ends that accumulate in them.
Living room
Whether you're super social or like to hang out at different times, the living room gets used by everyone and can often be used as a dumping ground. This is one of the most satisfying rooms to clean because it takes less time and can be seen by everyone.
- Open the windows
- Dust ceilings and walls, working your way from top to bottom
- Dust and wipe down all furnishings, pictures and wall-hangings
- Dust any light fittings or shades
- Remove items from shelving or from inside any units and dust them
- Wipe down the inside of cupboards and units and dust the tops of shelves
- Remove cushions from sofas and chairs and vacuum thoroughly
- Dust and wipe down curtain poles and dust in between blind slats or shutters
- Clean and polish the inside of all windows
- Wipe down light switches (careful not to use anything wet) and door handles
- Vacuum carpets and sweep hard flooring before mopping
- Move all the furniture - don't just clean around them
- Take the opportunity to declutter by throwing out unwanted or unneeded items
Bedrooms
Bedrooms are notorious for dust build-up, so you’ll need to look out for this when getting yours clean.
- Open the windows
- Remove all bed linen, including pillows, and wash
- Dust all surfaces, ceilings and walls thoroughly, starting from the top and working your way down
- Wipe down any picture frames or wall hangings
- Clean all furniture using a multi-purpose spray
- Clean and polish the inside of your bedroom windows
- Dust lamp shades
- Wipe down light switches (careful not to use anything wet) and door handles
- Go through the wardrobes and drawers and throw out / recycle old or unwanted clothes
- Vacuum the mattress
- Thoroughly vacuum the carpet, or sweep hard flooring before mopping
- Move the bed and bedroom furniture and vacuum underneath
Bathroom
Along with kitchens, bathrooms can harbour the most dirt and grime. Here’s what you need to do to get the shine back
- Open any windows
- Spray, wipe and wash out the bath
- Spray down all basins, pedestals and taps and wipe away any scale or dirt
- Shine mirrors
- Wipe down the exterior and interior of cabinets, cupboards and drawers
- Clean and scrub your shower with a limescale remover, paying attention to tiles and grout
- Vacuum any extractor fans to remove dust build-up
- Sweep or vacuum the floor and mop or polish with floor wipes
- Clean and polish any windows
- Wipe down light switches and door handles
- Clean down the toilet with anti-bacterial spray and bleach the inside
- Scrub the grouting between tiles. An old toothbrush works well here.
- Don't try and clean the shower curtain if you have one. It's easier and more hygienic to get a new one
Communal areas
Hallways and stairs in any property get a lot of traffic, so it’s important to be thorough when cleaning these areas
- Dust ceilings and walls, starting from the top and working your way down
- Dust and wipe down any wall-hangings or pictures and clean and polish mirrors
- Dust any light fittings or shades
- Dust any curtains or blinds / shutters, including in between the slats
- Dust any units or furnishings and wipe through the insides
- Wipe down light switches and door handles
- Clean and polish all windows
- Vacuum carpets and sweep hard flooring before mopping
Outside
The outside areas of your property can almost feel like an extra room, especially at this time of year. Cleaning the area can make it a great social space for the longer daylight hours.
- Clean any rubbish from garden or porch areas
- Remove any leaves or garden debris that might be covering drains
- Check the bin storage area for any loose items of rubbish
- Clean down any outdoor furniture
If you have access to one a steam cleaner is a great way to get the windows sparkling. If you haven't got a steamer lots of elbow grease and glass cleaner will work just as well.
