Spring is full of promise and a welcome change from the cold, dark winter. It’s also a great time for house renters to get their homes in order. A good spring clean and declutter can go a long way to clearing more space and brightening up any home. Plus, renters who deep clean and maintain their homes are more likely to get their security deposit back at the end of the lease.
Since most house rentals tend to be larger than apartments, with extra space and outdoor areas, spring cleaning can seem to be a hefty task. But, with a little organization and a good plan in place, it’s more than manageable.
In this guide, we’ll take a look at the best way to go about spring cleaning and decluttering a rental house.
Declutter: Donate, Throw Away, Sell, or Upcycle
Decluttering is an essential part of any spring clean, and it makes the job much easier to complete. As such, it’s best to declutter first of all. And, there’s nothing like decluttering to help reclaim valuable space and open the home up.
Now is the time to put bulky winter items, such as jackets and snow shovels, into storage. But renters can go a step further than that to really free up some space. Stripping away those unused belongings can be a cathartic experience, resulting in more space and greater peace of mind. Things to consider removing include:
- Clothes and accessories that are no longer used,
- Old kids’ toys,
- Unused appliances and utensils,
- Old toiletries and cleaning products,
- Expired food.
When deciding what can be removed, it’s worth thinking about how often things are used. Generally speaking, anything that falls into the “rare-to-never” category can go. It’s worth going room by room to make the task more manageable, and dividing items into four categories:
- Donate,
- Sell,
- Upcycle,
- Throw Away.
Old clothes, tools, toys, and anything in reasonable condition can be donated or sold, with online marketplaces making it easier than ever. Meanwhile, some things, like broken furniture, could be given a new lease of life by upcycling. Finally, things like expired food or items damaged beyond repair should be thrown away or recycled.
6 Spring Cleaning Tips
With the decluttering out of the way, the cleaning can almost begin. But, before starting, it’s worth planning ahead with the following tips:
1. Put a Plan on Paper
It’s easy to forget a task or two, only to remember at the end. But by writing out a checklist of things to do for each room, these mistakes can be avoided. See the next part of this guide for some inspiration.
2. Be Organized
It always helps to have everything needed for a spring clean on hand at the beginning of the project. Examine the checklist and make sure to obtain all the cleaning products, tools, and other essentials needed, such as:
- Cloths,
- Sponges,
- Mop heads,
- Rubber gloves,
- Baking soda,
- Vinegar,
- Broom or brush,
- Spare vacuum cleaner bags.
Everyone will have different needs, so be sure to write up an extensive shopping list and have it all in place before starting.
3. Break the Job Into Manageable Chunks
Avoid trying to do a little bit of everything and instead focus on one room at a time. This contains the disruption to one room, rather than having the whole house in disarray.
4. Work From Top to Bottom
Dust drops downwards when disturbed, so it’s always best to work from top to bottom. Start the deep clean on the top floor, going room by room. In each room, begin with the ceilings, then the highest shelves and surfaces, and work down to the floor.
5. Remember To Clean Outside Too
Most house renters are required to ensure their outside spaces are kept clean and well-maintained. Spring is a good time to tidy up the curb appeal, power wash the paving, and maybe even plant some plants.
6. Don’t Forget the Nooks
Most rental houses have various nooks and crannies, as well as smaller features that are easily missed, such as lampshades and trim. But, cleaning these, as well as the dust behind appliances and devices, can make a huge difference
Spring Cleaning Checklist
A thorough checklist is a great way to ensure no job gets missed during the spring clean. For best results, break it up by room or area. Below is an example, though it’s worth noting that each home is different.
All Rooms
- Dust off lampshades, remove cobwebs from the walls and ceilings, and wipe down all shelves and surfaces, as well as things like the TV.
- Mop hard floor surfaces or vacuum carpets and steam clean if necessary, making sure to clean underneath any furniture. If required, remove stains from rugs or carpets.
- Dust or wash curtains and blinds.
- Clean windows with glass cleaner or a vinegar solution and a microfiber cloth.
- Open all the windows and allow the house to air for an hour or so.
- Clean high-use furnishings such as light switches and door knobs with a degreaser if necessary.
- Tidy and organize cables.
Lounge
- Remove pillow and cushion covers and wash, along with any throws or blankets.
- Vacuum and steam clean couches and other upholstery, ensuring to clean in all the crevices.
Bedrooms
- Rotate the mattresses and flip from winter to summer side if necessary.
- Remove all sheets and wash, allowing the mattress to air for a few hours before putting new ones on.
- Clean underneath the bed.
- Tidy the wardrobe and remove any bulky winterwear.
Kitchen
- Scrub the stovetop with a liquid dish soap solution to remove tough grease stains.
- Clean inside the oven and microwave.
- Degrease tiles, countertops, and cabinet doors.
- Throw out expired foods and sundries.
- Organize cabinets and drawers and clean inside.
- Clean and organize the fridge and freezer, drying the inside with a towel before putting things back in.
- Defrost the freezer if a lot of ice has built up.
Bathroom
- Clean all the mirrors with glass cleaner or a vinegar solution.
- Clean the tiles thoroughly and look for signs of black mold in the silicone or grout. If detected, spray with a vinegar solution and scrub with a sponge before rinsing and drying.
- Wash all towels, bath mats, and shower curtains.
- Clean any dust from the extractor or fan covers and vents.
- Clean and organize cabinets.
- Clean the shower tray and/or bathtub.
- Clean the toilet, basins, and faucets with a gentle bleach solution.
- Check drains and unclog with baking soda and vinegar if necessary.
Garage
- Sort through any old products, such as paint, broken tools, etc., and throw out anything that is no longer useful.
- Organize other items, using storage containers and boxes to keep things tidy.
Outside Spaces
- Sweep up any fallen branches and leaves from the driveway, lawn, patio, and paths.
- Power wash dirty paving and decking, and, if necessary, the garage door.
- Lightly prune any overgrown bushes, trees, and shrubs.
- Mow the grass and tidy any borders.
Spring Maintenance For House Renters To Stay On Top Of
While the landlord is responsible for the bulk of the maintenance around the home, renters can be proactive in identifying problems and reporting them before they become a larger issue. Spring is a great time for this, since winter snow and ice can cause several problems.
- Check the roof for missing shingles or leaks,
- Check gutters for blockages,
- Check the basement for signs of damp and mold.
- Clean or replace HVAC filters,
- Check the windows for drafts and damage,
- Inspect paving and driveways for cracks and other damage,
House renters who stay on top of decluttering and spring cleaning will be one step ahead when it comes to getting their security deposit back in full, not to mention reclaiming their space and creating a clean and comfortable home.
Image credit: Kostikova Natalia, Andrey_Popov, Rimma Bondarenko, Peter Kniez / shutterstock.com
