Updated on April 2024
Spring is here, so it’s a great time to deep clean and renew our spaces. Whether you’re a landlord preparing your rental property to receive its next tenant or renting a place, you can do some simple things to ensure you get the property cleaned up and in good shape. For tenants, a thorough cleaning can go a long way to getting your damage deposit back and ensuring you live comfortably while occupying the property. These are our best pro tips for doing a thorough spring cleaning in rental properties.
Spring Cleaning Pro Tips to Take Care of Your Rental Property
Start with Decluttering
First, remove all the things you no longer need and are just occupying space. Remove unwanted items, such as old magazines, clothes, toys, broken appliances, or furniture you no longer need. This will free up space and make it easier to clean. We recommend taking the time to separate the things that can no longer be of good use from the ones that can be donated or recycled.
Clean the Bedrooms
Clean and dust off the closet and other surfaces, and organize your things to give your bedroom a fresh look. It’s also a good idea to check the state of your mattress, vacuum it and flip it if needed.
Dust Off and Wipe Down Surfaces
Dust accumulates everywhere, from furniture to light fixtures to baseboards. After a deep decluttering, remove the dust and wipe down all surfaces, including walls, ceilings, ceiling fans, baseboards, windows, countertops and air vents. Use a microfiber cloth and a gentle cleaning solution to avoid damaging the surfaces and capture dust effectively.
Clean the Windows
Most people don’t notice the layer of dust that accumulates on the windows during the colder months. Cleaning the windows inside and out will give the property a fresh look. Use a glass cleaner for a streak-free effect, and don’t forget to clean blinds or curtains as well.
Clean the Floors
Vacuum and mop the floors to remove dust, dirt or stains, paying extra attention to high-traffic areas, such as hallways and entryways, that accumulate road salt and gravel during the snowy season. To avoid damage, use a cleaning product appropriate for the type of floor the property has.
Hiring a professional cleaning company or using a carpet cleaning machine is best if you have carpeted floor areas. If you don’t have access to these options, we recommend this easy process to make them look as good as new:
- After vacuuming, sprinkle baking soda over the carpet;
- Mix carpet shampoo with warm water on a spray bottle;
- Spray the mixture over the carpet, then brush it with a carpet brush;
- After it dries, respray the carpet with plain water;
- Dry the carpet again.
If you’re prepping your property to show it to potential tenants and there are old signs of the previous tenant’s pet’s accidents, use a special product to get rid of any smells or stains.
Clean the Bathrooms and Kitchen
Clean the kitchen appliances, including the oven, microwave, dishwasher and refrigerator, and disinfect the sink, cabinets and countertops. In the bathroom, scrub the toilet, shower, and bathtub, and clean the mirrors and sink. Depending on the bathroom’s amenities, you can clean the shower doors or replace old curtains or liners.
Calgary’s glacier-fed water has an annoying side effect. Hard water clogs and stains bathroom and kitchen fixtures, so they need to be descaled periodically, and spring is a good time to do it. Several products claim to wipe out mineral deposits, but one easy, cheap and non-toxic way is to mix vinegar and dish soap in a spray bottle, spray anywhere with hard water marks, and scrub with an old toothbrush.
Clean and Check the Fixtures
Ensure all fixtures, such as light switches, doorknobs, and faucets, function properly. A gentle cleaning product with a cloth will be enough to clean them.
Tune Up the HVAC System
After months of keeping the property warm, the HVAC may use some care. Schedule a professional service visit from your preferred provider to clean it and perform repairs or part replacements if needed.
In Alberta, tenants are responsible for changing their own furnace filters every four months, so remember to change yours to combat spring allergens like snow mould.
Don’t Forget the Exterior
Spring is a great time to thoroughly renew the property’s exterior. Repaint the fence, repair or replace the damaged panels, remove any debris or trash left in the winter, and trim any overgrown bushes or trees. Inspect the roof to ensure there aren’t any missing or damaged tiles, find leaks, and verify that the windows are closing properly.
You can go a step further by adding some flowering plants to embellish your property (after May 24, of course!), increase its appeal to potential tenants if the property is vacant, and verify that the hose bibs or sprinkler system are working and ready for the summer months.
Inspect and Repair
While cleaning, take note of any repairs or maintenance tasks that need attention. This could include leaky faucets, cracked tiles, or peeling paint. If you’re a tenant, talk to your landlord or the property manager about your findings and concerns and agree to make the necessary repairs and maintenance. Open communication about the property’s maintenance needs during the tenancy will help both parties keep the property in good shape and foster a long-term relationship.
With some preventive measures, landlords and tenants can keep the rental property clean, tidy up and ready to enjoy the warmer months of the year.
Happy spring!
