1) USE SOME VERY HOT WATER AND A *LIGHT* SOLUTION OF SPIC 'N SPAN (TSP),
GET HEAVY DUTY DISH GLOVES ON AND PROTECT THE FLOOR...THEN WIPE
EVERY SINGLE BIT OF TRIM and ANY OTHER SHINY SURFACES DOWN!
You should leave the apartment cleaner than when you moved in. Period. Impress your landlord with the fact that you spent some time making sure that ALL your FUNKINESS was removed from the premises.
2) BUY SOME WINDEX - not a substitute product - AND CLEAN ALL WINDOWS, GLASS and COUNTERTOPS. MAKE THINGS SHINE.
3) GET THAT OVEN SPRAY AND WIPE DOWN NOT ONLY THE INTERIOR OF THE OVEN, BUT THE EDGES OF THE DOOR AS WELL.
The following photos are an example of a really bad tenant that thought they were owed their cleaning deposit even though they seemed to have never been introduced to either a broom, a vacuum or soap & water on a sponge or mop!!!These tenants must have fried everything they ever ate! The grease was just dripping from all surfaces in the kitchen, AND, the grease traveled into the other rooms where the flat paint just sucked it all up. BLECH!
(Note to landowners who rent: Use at least an eggshell sheen of paint on walls in all rooms except in kitchens and baths where it should go in semi gloss when renting places)
YOU'LL NEED THE FOLLOWING SUPPLIES:
3M SCRATCHY TYPE (green) SPONGES - (one for the bathroom, one for the kitchen)
LARGER SOFTER SPONGE (for all the trim)
HEAVY DUTY DISH GLOVES
BOX OF SPIC 'N SPAN (or buy powdered TSP at a paint store. Do not use the substitute- it's weak!)
A NICE 1 or 2 GL. BUCKET
A 4' LADDER TO REACH EVERYTHING
NEW SPONGE MOP (head)
CLEAN RAGS
GOGGLES or WEAR GLASSES
VACUUM CLEANER - (Use an upright only for carpets!)
A HAMMER - to remove any nails
A SCREWDRIVER - remove all switch & electrical outlet plates & soak them in TSP. If the screws are all scratched up, buy a box of new ones & replace.
Approximate times to plan on cleaning thoroughly before your landlord inspects:
A studio apt: 3 hours
A one bedroom: 4-5
A two bedroom: 7-8
DOING A GREAT JOB IS WORTH THE GUARANTEE OF RECEIVING YOUR ENTIRE CLEANING DEPOSIT. (Remember- a DAMAGE deposit is separate)
Okay...here you go...I warned you!!
