15 Easy Spring Cleaning Hacks For Your Rental Apartment
Spring is in the air, which can only mean one thing, it’s time to tackle some spring cleaning! With #SpringCleaning capturing over 700,000,000 views on TikTok, cleaning hopefuls can take some inspiration from the easy and popular Spring cleaning hacks to transform their homes.
Spring cleaning is particularly important for renters, as keeping your home clean and tidy is often a requirement from landlords. If you do move out, leaving the property clean tends to be a stipulation for the safe return of your security deposit and research suggests that a lack of cleanliness is one of the main reasons renters lose their deposits.
The big moving-out clean is a huge task many renters dread when moving out. But, leaving the property clean and tidy could be the difference between your returned deposit or a very difficult (and expensive) situation. So, how can we avoid this?
Tenant insurance experts Duuo have reviewed 15 of the most difficult or most forgotten areas of the home to clean and provided easy, cost-effective cleaning solutions for renters to follow while spring cleaning, or when preparing to move out.
Hob
Use a grease busting spray or paste with an abrasive (but scratch-free) scrubber to remove the stovetop grease and then rinse down with a damp microfiber cloth. For stainless steel hobs, use a stainless steel spray and microfiber cloth to leave a shiny, streak-free finish.
Windows
Mix warm water, white vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle, spray the solution onto the window glass and use a damp sponge to wash the surface. Once you’ve covered the surface, rinse the suds off with water. Finally, use a window squeegee to remove the water and leave the glass streak-free.
Dishwasher
Carefully take out the removable parts of the dishwasher and soak in dish soap. You can then use warm water and dish soap to wash the inside of the machine. Once complete, put the parts back into the machine. Then add a cup of white vinegar to the dishrack and sprinkle a cup of bicarb into the machine and run the machine on a clean cycle.
Carpet stains
If you’re faced with a stained carpet, start by giving the carpet a full hoover to remove surface dirt. Then select a carpet stain remover/cleaner and apply the product to the stain and scrub the surface with warm water, following the instructions of the product. Then rinse the area with warm water and leave it to dry.
Microwave
For an alternative hack, chop up a lemon and place it in the microwavable bowl with water, put this in the microwave and put it on full power for 5 minutes. The lemon juice will help cut through the grease and dirt so it can be easily whipped away, while also releasing a fresh smell.
Then carefully take the microwave plate out of the machine and wash in warm, soapy water. Next, wipe the inside of the microwave to remove any splatters. If odours remain, place a dish of baking soda in the microwave with the door closed overnight to absorb the smell.
Toilet staining
Toilet staining can occur in areas with hard water and limescale build-up. To remove the stains in the toilet bowl, start with a normal full toilet clean with a bathroom spray cleaner. Once the exterior is clean, you can focus on removing the staining by pouring a cup of white vinegar into the bowl and letting it sit for at least one hour and then scrubbing the areas before flushing.
Shower curtain
Shower curtains often develop surface mould and black spots that can be easily removed. Simply remove the shower curtain from the pole and soak it in warm water with half a cup of bleach for an hour. Then place the curtain in the washing machine and put it on a normal wash cycle. Once clean, hang the shower curtain back on the pole to dry out.
Oven
According to Mrs Hinch’s oven cleaning story highlight, the best way to clean your oven is to soak the oven trays and racks in warm water, washing up liquid and white vinegar for 1-2 hours before scrubbing away the build-up. (Top tip: if you don’t have a sink or bucket large enough to fully soak the trays, soak them in the bath for a full clean). Then use a grease busting cleaner to scrub down the inside of the oven to remove the grease. Once completed, remove the suds with warm water and return the oven trays and racks.
Fridge
Pull out all the fridge drawers and shelves and wash in warm water and dish soap. Next, wipe down the inside of the fridge to remove any dirt, stains and smells. Ensure the fridge is set at the correct temperature and return the drawers and shelves. If odours remain, place a dish of baking soda into the fridge and leave for 1-3 days to absorb the smell.
Washing machine
Start by cleaning the washing machine filter, which is normally located in the bottom corner of the machine. Place a tray underneath the filter, unscrew the cap and allow the water and build-up to flow out. Next, take the washing machine draw out and soak the draw in washing up liquid to lift any grime. While the draw is soaking, wipe down the drum with warm water and disinfectant – including the filters and rim. Once complete, return the draw and add a cup of white vinegar and bicarb into the drum and run the machine on a warm cycle to remove any smells or build-up.
Lampshades and light fixtures
Lampshades and light fixtures are often forgotten when cleaning, but they’re a major dust trap. To tackle these issues, hover around the lampshade and light fixtures to remove the sitting dust. Next, carefully remove the lampshade and dust the shade, lightbulb and light fixture to remove any fin layers of dust.
Curtains
For a light curtain clean, start by feather dusting the curtain pole and curtain pleats. Then mix a solution of warm water and half a cup of white vinegar in a spray bottle and spray down the curtains to remove any odours.
If your curtains require a full clean, then take the curtains down and wash them on a curtain specific wash cycle (if not available, opt for a “gentle” or “silk” wash cycle). Once washed, hang out the curtains to air dry to minimise creases. You may need to iron the curtains on a low heat (as per the curtain labels) to banish any stubborn creases.
Skirting boards
Skirting boards are often forgotten when cleaning your house or apartment, but they’re very easily tackled. For a deep clean, give them a thorough dusting with a dry microfiber cloth, and then scrub away grime with a mixture of dishwashing liquid and warm water.
If there’s only a thin layer of dust use a tumble dryer sheet to dust the surface of the skirting boards – this will also give the room a refreshing scent boost.
Cabinets
Cleaning the tops, bottoms and insides of kitchen and bathroom cabinets is a task that is often forgotten when spring cleaning or moving home. Simply tidy the inside of the cupboards and whip down the cupboard frame and door for a fresh finish.
If you use your kitchen frequently, oils from cooking will stick to the dust and can often make the tops of cabinets very messy. Don’t panic, however, wet a rag and spray some grease busting kitchen spray onto the surface before wiping it all away.
Showerhead
When tackling your bathroom clean, don’t forget to pay attention to the showerhead. The head of the shower is often a source of build-up, limescale and grime and removing it can be tricky. To tackle these issues, remove the showerhead and soak it in a cup of white vinegar for one hour. Then remove from the solution and scrub the showerhead with an abrasive scrubber while rinsing the head with warm water. Rinse well and reattach the head to the shower.
Are you ready to tackle your spring cleaning now?
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