A Professional Housekeeper's Guide to a Final Clean
Ever wondered how professional cleaning services make a space spotless? Here's a guide that tells all!
Are you moving to a new house and want to give the place a final clean? It doesn't matter if you owned or rented your former place of living, a proper final clean is quite necessary. If you were renting, a good clean means you get your deposit back. If you are selling your home, a spotless house leaves a good impression on the buyer's. In each case, you need to make sure that you thoroughly clean the house.
While a proper move-out clean will take anywhere from two to eight hours, if you're well prepared the process will seem easy and the results flawless. Below you will find some tips and tricks that professional cleaning services and hotel cleaning services use to leave a space spotless.
1. Use a Portable Caddy
When we're cleaning at home, we may not see the need to carry around a caddy with all our cleaning supplies, but it actually makes the entire process easier. With a caddy, you can carry around all of your cleaning necessities in one go, making it easy to move from one room to another. Choose a small caddy that has dividers where you can organise different cleaning products such as sponges, cleaning cloths, and liquid based cleaners. This way, you don't have to go looking for different cleaning products for each room (because a bathroom will require a different set of cleaners as compared to a living room). So the next time you want a good clean, carry around a caddy to save on time and hassle.
Professional Caddy Essentials:
- Microfiber cloths (different colors for different areas)
- All-purpose cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Disinfectant spray
- Scrub brushes (various sizes)
- Razor blades for tough stains
- Rubber gloves
- Small vacuum attachments
2. Choose Your Tools and Cleaners Wisely
It's important to pick the right tools and cleaning products when you've decided to perform a final clean of your home. The first mistake that individuals make is to use one all-purpose cleaner, and/or only one tool, to clean their entire home. If you want to clean like a pro, you need to make sure that you have the right tools and cleaners to do so. We've come up with thirteen important tools and cleaners that you absolutely need to have:
Essential Cleaning Tools
- Magic Erasers - Perfect for removing scuff marks, crayon, and stubborn stains from walls
- Flat Razors - Essential for removing stickers, labels, and built-up grime from glass and tiles
- Pumice Stone - Ideal for cleaning toilet bowls and removing hard water stains
- Sponges - Different types for different surfaces (soft for delicate, abrasive for tough stains)
- Washcloths - Microfiber cloths for dusting and polishing
- Squeegee - For streak-free windows and shower doors
- Bleach - For sanitizing and whitening (use with caution)
- Window Cleaner - Professional-grade for crystal-clear results
- Microfibre dusting cloth - Attracts and holds dust without chemicals
- Mop and bucket - For thorough floor cleaning
- Disinfectant cleaner - Kills germs and bacteria
- Toothbrush - For detailed cleaning of grout, corners, and small areas
- A ladder - For reaching high areas safely
3. Leave the Kitchen Until Last
The kitchen is the hardest room in the house to clean and requires the most time. Leave until last because you'll be spending a lot of time here. Not only do you have to clean all of the different cabinets and liners, you also have to clean out the fridge, which is equally important. Remember to also remove all of the appliances such as the oven and sweep behind and under them. Start by cleaning out the cabinets, and move towards the countertops, disinfecting them along the way. If the exhaust fan needs cleaning, make sure to remove it and soak it under warm water for five minutes before scrubbing it clean. Overall, be sure to leave yourself several hours for the task during a move-out clean.
Kitchen Cleaning Checklist:
- Empty and clean all cabinets and drawers
- Clean inside and outside of refrigerator
- Degrease and clean oven thoroughly
- Clean microwave inside and out
- Scrub countertops and backsplash
- Clean sink and faucet
- Wipe down all appliances
- Clean exhaust fan and filters
- Sweep and mop floors
- Clean baseboards and trim
4. Create a Comprehensive Checklist
Before you begin cleaning, get a checklist started to ensure that you cover all the rooms, and everything within those rooms. Organise your checklist according to each room and tasks that identify which items to clean, and prioritise them accordingly. You should include all of the rooms in the house such as entrance, bedrooms, basement, kitchen, garage and even balconies — you don't want to leave anything out. An important tip to consider: when cleaning the garage, living room, bedrooms and the kitchen, make sure you dust from high to low as it makes cleaning so much easier (this way, you only have to sweep the floor once at the very end).
Room-by-Room Final Clean Checklist
Living Areas:
- Dust all surfaces (top to bottom)
- Clean windows and window sills
- Vacuum and clean upholstery
- Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- Wipe down baseboards and trim
- Vacuum and mop floors
Bedrooms:
- Strip and clean bedding
- Dust all furniture and surfaces
- Clean inside closets and drawers
- Vacuum under beds and furniture
- Clean windows and mirrors
- Vacuum and mop floors
Bathrooms:
- Scrub toilet, sink, and bathtub/shower
- Clean mirrors and glass surfaces
- Wipe down all fixtures and hardware
- Clean grout and tile
- Empty and clean cabinets
- Sweep and mop floors
Kitchen:
- Clean all appliances inside and out
- Empty and clean cabinets and drawers
- Scrub countertops and backsplash
- Clean sink and faucet
- Clean exhaust fan and filters
- Sweep and mop floors
Professional Cleaning Techniques
The Top-to-Bottom Method
Always clean from the highest point in the room downward. This ensures that any dust or debris that falls during cleaning will be caught when you clean the floors last.
The Systematic Approach
Work in a systematic pattern around each room, ensuring you don't miss any areas. Start at the door and work clockwise around the room.
Attention to Detail
Professional cleaners pay attention to often-overlooked areas:
- Light switches and outlet covers
- Door handles and knobs
- Window tracks and sills
- Baseboards and trim
- Behind and under furniture
- Inside cabinets and drawers
Time Management Tips
Planning Your Time:
- Allow 2-3 hours for a 1-bedroom flat
- Allow 4-6 hours for a 2-3 bedroom house
- Allow 6-8 hours for a larger property
- Add extra time for heavily soiled areas
Efficiency Tips:
- Work in teams if possible
- Use the right tools for each job
- Don't over-wet surfaces
- Let cleaning products work (follow contact time instructions)
- Work systematically to avoid backtracking
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Using too much cleaning product - More isn't always better
- Mixing cleaning products - Can create dangerous fumes
- Skipping the prep work - Remove clutter before cleaning
- Not allowing enough time - Rushing leads to poor results
- Using the wrong tools - Match tools to surfaces
- Forgetting to clean hidden areas - Behind appliances, under furniture
When to Call the Professionals
While these tips can help you achieve professional results, sometimes it's best to call in the experts:
- Time constraints - Moving deadlines don't wait
- Heavy soiling - Some messes require professional equipment
- Deposit recovery - Landlords often have strict standards
- Health concerns - Mold, mildew, or hazardous materials
- Large properties - Multi-room homes require significant time investment
Related Cleaning Guides
- 6 Ways To Know If You Hired The Best Cleaning Agency - Learn how to choose the right cleaning service
- The Ultimate Guide to Luxury Home Cleaning - Professional standards for any home
- Seasonal Deep Cleaning Checklist - Comprehensive home maintenance guide
- Eco-Friendly Cleaning Solutions - Sustainable cleaning methods for your home
With the tips mentioned above, you can too clean like a professional housekeeping service provider. Whether you have limited time on your hands or not, these tips can certainly come in handy!
Now that you know the importance of a final clean, think about how to get on with it if you're moving. If you are short on time (or cannot clean if your life depended on it), call St. Anne's today to have a team of professional housekeeping experts come over and do the job for you! Our team specialises in End-of-Tenancy Cleaning.