A good cleaning routine is a necessity of rental apartment living. A good pre-move clean-up means an improved reference which will greatly help you when looking for your next apartment for rent. As a bonus, tidying up would help you organize your move to your next rental apartment. Most importantly for you though, when living in a rental apartment, you want to make sure you get that deposit back. Here are some useful tips and tricks to keep your cleaning routine up-to-date and effective:
Appliances
Use mineral oil and paper towels to wipe away that gross combination of oil and dust. Fridges and stoves can get pretty grimy with a combination of dust and aerated oil. After wiping with the mineral oil and paper towel, follow up with an all-purpose cleanser and your appliances will be shiny and smooth.
The Kitchen Sink
Stainless steel sinks should always be thoroughly rinsed after every use. That does not always happen though, so, once in a while, give your sink a good cleaning. Mild soap and a nylon sponge can be used for daily cleaning of a stainless steel sink. If spots are a problem with your sink, a clean cloth soaked in vinegar can help to remove these. Avoid using bleach, ammonia, abrasive cleaners, abrasive sponges and steel wool pads as these tend to damage the finish. Not good when living in a rental apartment.
Wetting the entire surface of the sink and liberally sprinkling baking soda onto the surface is the best way to deal with stubborn stains. Use a nylon scrubbing sponge to work the baking soda in and then rinse thoroughly.
Stubborn stains can be dealt with by using a commercial stainless steel cleaner and following the directions listed. Afterwards, rinse and dry the sink.
Tubs and Shower Stalls
As a general rule, you should clean your tub and shower once a week with an orange citrus based cleaner. Spray on and give it ten minutes to dissolve the dirt then wipe clean.
Plastic shower curtains can be machine washed and hung to dry.
Don’t Forget to Clean Inside the Fridge and Freezer
It can be easy enough to forget to clean certain areas that are typically out of sight, especially during that end of move rush when you’re tying up loose ends. But one area to make sure to clean is the inside of the fridge. Use a sponge with soap and water to remove any gross residue left along the shelves and door. Don’t forget the freezer too!
Keep Separate Bags for Garbage and Recycling
During a move, it’s common for items to get tossed into the garbage instead of the recycling bin. As you move through your apartment, keep two bags or containers on hand so you can separate the garage from the recycling.
Leave the Floors Until Last
There’s no point in cleaning the floors during the messy moving process when dirt will be dragged in from outside as boxes are transported to the truck. So leave the floors until the very last. Keep your broom, mop and bucket aside. Once you’re all packed up, give the floors a good sweep. Then use a little warm water and soap to mop up any footprints and dirt left behind.
Wine Stain Removal Tips
Wine stains, especially red wine, can be removed if you follow the correct procedure. For clothing that can be laundered, mix a good liquid detergent such as Dawn half and half with hydrogen peroxide. These cleansers must be used together, and the mixture should be fresh. Gently pour over the stain and allow it to sit as a pre-soak. Use a clean towel between the stain and the back of the garment to avoid having the stain leech through. Launder following label instructions. Research shows that white wine will remove red wine stains. Hold the garment or tablecloth over the sink, and pour white wine on the red wine stain. It will disappear.
If wine stains get on carpeting, pour hydrogen peroxide on the stain. Allow to stand for a few minutes. With a spray bottle mixture of half water and half of a good carpet cleaning shampoo, such as Bissell Fiber Cleansing Formula, mist the stain, and blot dry with a clean white cloth. This will work well even on white carpeting.
Note: Always test an inconspicuous area for colorfastness, etc. before treating the exposed area. This is especially important when renting an apartment as you do not want to be held responsible for damages.
Also note that certain stains are permanent
For a simple checklist of things to do before moving out of your rental apartment, you can follow the link below:
http://www.wikihow.com/Clean-an-Apartment-Before-Moving-Out
If you have any other questions about things to do before moving out of your rental apartment, don’t hesitate to contact CLV Group and InterRent REIT.
