Cleaning Hacks while Turning Over a Rental Property

Jacob Margle (Apartments.com) • November 4, 2021

When it comes time to clean your rental property and get it ready for the next tenant, you may find yourself wondering where to start. Cleaning your own home can be a daunting task, especially if you don’t have a set cleaning schedule. But properly deep cleaning your rental properly on a time crunch to get it ready for the next tenant can be even more of a challenge. With the right materials and supplies and a clear outline, however, cleaning your rental property in a fast, efficient, and thorough manner can be easy.

Cleaning Checklist By Room

Making your cleaning job easy starts with getting prepared. You don’t want to get underway and realize the few cloths and cleaners you have are woefully underprepared for the job ahead. Use the following list and head to your local supermarket or hardware store and start stocking up so that when it comes time for a deep clean, you’ll be ready to go.

  • Baking soda.
  • Broom.
  • Brush with stiff bristles.
  • Cleaning caddy (optional, but helpful).
  • Dish soap.
  • Dusting cloths (microfiber works best).
  • Garden hose (for yard work).
  • Gloves to protect your hands
  • Mineral oil.
  • Mop.
  • Multi-purpose cleaner.
  • Sponges.
  • Telescoping pole for high and hard-to-reach spaces.
  • Vacuum cleaner with extension accessories.
  • White vinegar.
  • Window and glass cleaner.
  • Wood cleaner and/or polish.

How to Clean Your Kitchen

The kitchen is probably the home’s hotspot for messes, especially if you had multiple tenants living in the unit. The stovetop, refrigerator, countertops, and sink see a lot of action and abuse over the course of a lease, so if they’re all in need of a deep clean you’ll need an action plan to make every surface shine.

The stove/oven

  • Use the self-clean feature on your oven if available.
  • Use a combination of baking soda, dish soap and vinegar to tackle tough messes.
  • Scrub and wipe clean.
  • Don’t forget to clean the burner grates if you have a gas stove.
  • Cleaning polishes like Pink Stuff can remove stains on glass cooktops.

Pro Tip: Soak your oven racks in the sink or bathtub and pour vinegar on top of them.

 The refrigerator

  • Defrost the freezer.
  • Remove any old food.
  • Wipe out stains or any other messes (inside and outside).
  • Remove dirt/dust from coil and vents.
  • Remove/replace any water filters.

Pro tip: Use a vacuum to suck up dirt and dust from refrigerator coil and vents

 The dishwasher

  • Replace and/ or clean filters.
  • Run dishwasher on hot with one to two cups of white vinegar.
  • Run another hot cycle with a half cup of baking soda.
  • Wipe down and disinfect the exterior.

Pro tip: mixture of dish soap, water, and white vinegar makes a great homemade cleaner that’s safe for all dishwasher surfaces.

 The sink (and dishes)

  • Scrub the sink.
  • Wash and or place dirty dishes in the dishwasher.
  • Disinfect the sink.
  • Wipe down countertops and small appliances.
  • Disinfect coffee pots, microwaves, toasters.
  • Mineral oil helps remove greasy dust.

Pro Tip: You can remove tough stains on a laminate countertop with nail polish remover, and Bar Keeper’s Friend can help clean porcelain sinks.

How to Clean Your Bathrooms

After the kitchen, the bathroom is likely to be the next problem area that is need of a deep clean before your next tenant starts moving in. Take extra care to ensure the bathroom is in tip-top shape as it can go a long way to making the entire rental feel clean as a whistle.

The shower and bathtubs

  • Empty the shower of leftover products (shampoo/soaps/razors etc).
  • Scrub the shower, floor, walls and bathtubs.
  • Replace shower curtains or run them through the washing machine if applicable
  • Clean shower grout with a small scrub brush to remove discoloration
  • Baking soda and white vinegar is a safe alternative for removing hair buildup in drains

Pro Tip: A combination of lemon juice and baking soda can remove rust stains left by shaving cream or razors.

 Mirrors and light fixtures

  • Remove debris or stray hair with a clean cloth.
  • Spray mirror with glass cleaner and use a microfiber cloth for a streak-free finish.
  • Clean light fixtures with soapy water and disinfectant.
  • Check vent fans for dust buildup to ensure proper ventilation
  • Look for mold on walls and clean any minor instances with a bleach/water solution

Pro Tip: avoid foggy bathroom mirrors by wiping it down with a combo of vinegar, dish soap and a spray bottle.

 Sinks, faucets and handles

  • Different cleaning can be required by sink materials (porcelain vs stainless steel).
  • Scrub/wipe/disinfect sink basin
  • Any partial/clogged drains can be cleared with baking soda and white vinegar
  • Use soapy water and a sponge to scrub/wipe down faucets and handles.

Pro Tip: Consider using a lemon to remove tough rust stains.

 Toilets

  • Use a toilet brush to remove any stains.
  • Use a dedicated toilet bowl cleaner or consider a stick-on bowl cleaner that cleanses after every flush.
  • Use a clean cloth and disinfectant to wipe down the exterior.

Pro Tip: Make sure you disinfect both your toilet brush and holder when you're done cleaning.

How To Clean Your Rooms

When it comes to bedrooms, the living room, dining rooms, or any space outside of the kitchen and bathroom(s), you may need to take a specialized approach depending on the size of the room, use, type of flooring, and more. Here’s a basic routine for deep cleaning any room without specific features or appliances like the kitchen or laundry room.

Vacuum carpet or clean non-carpeted areas

  • Remove any debris and/or move items away from carpet.
  • Go over the main carpeted area with your vacuum cleaner.
  • Use a vacuum or duster extension to get hard to reach areas.
  • Non carpeted areas can be cleaned with a mop and bucket plus your favorite cleaning solution (vacuum first).
  • Deodorize carpets by sprinkling baking soda over the area, letting it sit, and then vacuuming.

Pro Tip: Consider utilizing your dishwasher to effectively clean your vacuum.

 Dust curtain and light fixtures

  • Check curtain tags to understand any required cleaning “dry clean only” etc.
  • Add curtains to the washer.
  • Dust and disinfect light fixtures.

Pro Tip: Consider ironing, pressing, or steaming your curtains to make them look brand new.

 Clean windows

  • Rinse the outside of windows with a hose.
  • Scrub both inside and outside of window with a sponge.
  • Rinse windows with clean water.
  • Use a squeegee and towel to avoid streaking.

Pro Tip: don’t forget the window screens which can be cleaned with a vinegar and water solution.

How to Clean Your Laundry Room

For as much dirt as your rental’s laundry room sees every day, it’s probably in need of a good deep clean. Most people know how to clean their oven or even their dishwasher, but your washer and dryer also require periodic cleanings to remove product build up and to ensure they clean your clothes and linens properly.

 Clean your washer and dryer

  • Clean rubber gaskets and door seals, more common in front loaders
  • If your machine has a detergent dispenser, add 1 or 2 cups of white vinegar and run a hot cycle
  • Sanitize the drum by running another hot cycle with 1/3 cup of baking soda added to the drum
  • For top loaders, run a hot cycle, let the machine fill, and add 2 to 3 cups of white vinegar
  • Vacuum out your lint trap and consider having your dryer vent cleaned by a professional

Pro Tip: Clean your agitator (if your machine has one) with hot water and vinegar to remove buildup.

Clean the rest of your laundry space

  • Mop the floor
  • Dust surfaces and light fixtures
  • Vacuum between and around the washer and dryer, pull them out from the wall if need be

 

Having a clean rental property is a crucial part of appealing to potential renters. If a possible tenant comes to tour the space, or worse, shows up to start moving in their belongings and they find a dirty rental that shows signs of neglect, you’re not setting yourself up to have them renew. By staying prepared and having all the requisite cleaning supplies and knowing how to tackle each room in your rental you’ll provide a cleaner and healthier living space for your renters and make a better impression as a property owner.


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When Buying a Home Feels Out of Reach, Some Families Do This Instead

By KCM • April 30, 2026
When Buying a Home Feels Out of Reach, Some Families Do This Instead For a lot of people, the math on buying a home just doesn’t really work right now. Maybe that’s how it feels for you too. You look at the cost of buying . Then you look at the cost of childcare. And it starts to feel like you have to choose one or the other. But some families are finding a way to make both work by doing something a little different: teaming up to purchase a multi-generational home . One Reason This Is Becoming More Common It’s no secret that affordability has been a challenge in recent years. But for families with young kids, there’s an added layer that can make it feel even harder: childcare. According to the Department of Health and Human Services, childcare should take up no more than 7% of your monthly income. But in reality, the average married couple spends closer to 10% (see map below): When you combine that with the cost of buying a home, it’s easy to see why things can feel stretched. That’s exactly why more families are starting to rethink how they approach both. The Solution More People Are Turning To: Multi-Generational Living One option gaining traction? Multi-generational living. That’s when parents, grandparents, or other relatives buy a house together and live under the same roof. And it’s not just about convenience anymore. It’s becoming a go-to strategy. You can see it in the data . According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), almost 1 in 7 homebuyers (14%) bought a multi-generational home in 2025 (see graph below): And for the first time, childcare is showing up as a key reason why they chose this option. As NAR explains : “This year’s report features two new primary reasons for purchasing a multi-generational home: grandchildren living in the home (12%) and to help reduce the cost of childcare (6%).” Why It Works Buying a multi-generational home solves two big challenges at the same time. First, it shares the financial responsibility . If you pool multiple incomes together, you may be able to afford a home you couldn't have on your own. Second, it can also solve the childcare puzzle . When grandparents or other relatives live in the home, they may be able to help with daily care – which can significantly reduce or even eliminate daycare costs. And for many people, that combination is what finally makes their move possible. If the costs of childcare and housing together have made buying feel out of reach right now, it may be worth exploring creative options like buying a home with your loved ones. Bottom Line If you want more information on multi-generational homes, let’s have a quick conversation about what’s available in our area. Sometimes the path to homeownership isn’t doing it alone. It’s doing it together.

Thinking About an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Here’s What You Need To Know.

By KCM • April 29, 2026
Thinking About an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Here’s What You Need To Know. If you’ve been looking for a home lately, you’ve probably felt how tough affordability still is. And that's exactly why more buyers are opting for adjustable-rate mortgages , or ARMs. Here's what you need to understand about how they work, and whether they make sense for you. What Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Since a lot of people aren’t familiar with this type of loan, let’s start with a definition. This is how Business Insider explains the main difference between a fixed-rate mortgage and an adjustable-rate mortgage: “With a fixed-rate mortgage, your interest rate remains the same for the entire time you have the loan. This keeps your monthly payment the same for years . . . adjustable-rate mortgages work differently. You’ll start off with the same rate for a few years, but after that, your rate can change periodically. This means that if average rates have gone up, your mortgage payment will increase. If they’ve gone down, your payment will decrease.” Basically, one doesn’t change much over the life of your loan. And one could change... either by a little, or a lot. Of course, things like taxes or homeowner’s insurance can still have an impact on a fixed-rate loan, but the baseline of your mortgage payment is fairly steady. But the big difference is that with an ARM, your monthly payment could change over time. Why Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Are Getting More Attention So, why do some buyers choose this option? It's simple. It’s because of the upfront savings. Business Insider explains it like this: “Because ARM rates are typically lower than fixed mortgage rates, they can help buyers find affordability when rates are high. With a lower ARM rate, you can get a smaller monthly payment or afford more house than you could with a fixed-rate loan. ” And right now, according to Mortgage News Daily and the Wall Street Journal , the upfront rate on an ARM is lower than a 30-year fixed mortgage (see graph below): If you’re wondering how that shakes out in real dollars and cents, here’s what Redfin says. According to their research, the typical buyer could save about $150 per month by taking out an ARM instead of a 30-year fixed mortgage. For some people, that’s enough to make a difference. More Buyers Are Choosing Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Today A growing number of buyers are willing to trade the uncertainty later for a lower payment now. Data from the Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) shows the share of buyers choosing ARMs has increased, especially over the last few years (see graph below). This doesn’t mean ARMs are becoming the go-to option for everyone. It only means some buyers are opting for this type of mortgage, so they can still buy today. And if you remember the housing crash, seeing ARMs gain popularity again may raise concerns. But rest easy. Today’s ARMs aren’t the same. Back then, some buyers were given loans they couldn’t afford once rates adjusted. Today, lending standards are stricter, and lenders evaluate whether borrowers could still handle the payment if rates rise. So, the return of ARMs doesn’t signal another widespread crash. It just reflects how some buyers are adapting to today’s affordability challenges. The Trade-Off – What You Need To Consider If you’re considering an adjustable-rate mortgage yourself, just remember it really all depends on your situation and your risk tolerance. An ARM may make sense if you plan to move before your rate would adjust or if you expect you’ll make a higher income in the future. But there are trade-offs you need to think through. For example, once the fixed period ends, your rate can adjust, and your payment could increase, potentially by a meaningful amount depending on where rates are at that time. And keep in mind, there’s also no guarantee mortgage rates will come down in the future, which means refinancing later isn’t always an option. That’s why it’s important to think through your plan, understand your long-term earning potential, and work closely with a trusted lender before you choose an ARM. Bottom Line ARMs are getting more attention again because they can make buying a home more affordable in the short term. But they’re not right for everyone. The key is understanding how they work, what the risks are, and whether they fit your plan. And that’s why you need to talk to a trusted lender and financial advisor before you make any decisions.

Don’t Let Home Prices Headlines Fool You

By KCM • April 27, 2026
Don’t Let Home Prices Headlines Fool You Spend about 5 minutes online searching for news about the housing market, and odds are you’ll see something pop up about home prices . You may even stumble onto social media influencers saying we’re headed for a crash. Let’s get you the context you need. The truth is prices are going to vary depending on where you live. But they're not crashing. Here’s what you need to know. The Local Perspective: Home Price Trends by Area The biggest thing feeding into the confusion online is how different home price trends are by area right now. Take a look at this data from ResiClub and Zillow (see graph below). About half of the largest metros are seeing prices go up. The other half are seeing some declines. Unfortunately, the online chatter only focuses on the markets where prices are down – and that makes it sound like something bigger is happening. But, as you can see in this graph, that’s only one side of the story. The full picture is different. The National Perspective: Moderate Price Growth As a country, when you average it all together to get a true baseline, one thing becomes clear, home prices are still net positive at the national level. According to the Redfin, national home prices were up about 1% year-over-year in February. So, what we’re seeing right now isn’t a collapse. It’s a market that’s normalizing after a period of unusually fast growth. And that impacts some local markets more than others – particularly those where prices rose too far, too fast during the pandemic. A true crash, like what happened in 2008, would mean prices dropping sharply across the entire country. That’s just not what the data shows today. And it’s not where things are going either. Experts Agree This Isn’t 2008 In fact, Fannie Mae surveyed over 100 housing market experts to ask their opinions on where prices are headed from here. And the experts agree, nationally, prices are expected to keep rising over the next five years : That rise will be moderate, particularly this year, but the trend is clear. Nationally, prices are forecast to grow every year now through at least 2030 – and that’s normal. Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist, at Redfin explains: “ House prices aren’t going to fall on a national scale any time soon—and that’s actually a good thing. It’s normal for house prices to rise gradually over time . . .” That's why even in the select areas where prices have dropped slightly this year, the decline is expected to be temporary. According to that same quarterly Fannie Mae survey mentioned above, 85% of the experts say the markets that are seeing mild declines right now will return to positive price growth before the end of 2027. The main takeaway? This isn’t a crash. And prices aren’t expected to fall nationally. If anything, the few areas experiencing declines are expected to rebound in the next year or so. Bottom Line It’s easy to get caught up in headlines that make it sound like something big is about to happen. But don’t be fooled. The housing market isn’t crashing. It’s just shifting. The key is understanding what’s actually happening in your market, so you can make the right move for you. Let’s connect if you want the local perspective.
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