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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Considering Buying a Rental Property? Here’s What You Need to Know About Property Managers

By The Lighter Side of Real Estate • July 21, 2025
Considering Buying a Rental Property? Here’s What You Need to Know About Property Managers If you’re considering purchasing a rental property, here’s the good news: they can be a great investment. But they can also be a lot of work, and some homeowners don’t have the skills or desire to put in the work necessary to both take care of their property and ensure it brings in steady income. That’s where property managers come in. A good property manager can bring a ton of value to rental property owners, so if you’re considering buying a rental property, you may also want to consider hiring an experienced, trustworthy property manager. But what, exactly, do property managers do—and how does that help the property owner? A recent article from realtor.com outlines some of their main responsibilities, and the value they can deliver to property owners, including: Market your property. Finding new renters can be a hassle. Property managers leverage a variety of channels (including social media, paid ads, and the MLS) to get your property in front of qualified potential tenants. Vet potential tenants. Once they’ve marketed your property and generated interest, property managers will vet all potential tenants (including running a credit check, checking for past criminal history, verifying employment and income, and calling former landlords for references) to ensure you rent your property to qualified, responsible tenants. Perform property checks. If you live in a different area than your rental property, it can be hard to stay on top of the home’s maintenance and condition. Most property managers do regular home checks (typically, once per quarter or twice per year) to ensure the tenants are taking good care of the property—and will report back if any major repairs or maintenance tasks are necessary to keep the property in good condition.

The Five-Year Rule for Home Price Perspective

By KCM • June 25, 2025
The Five-Year Rule for Home Price Perspective Headlines are saying home prices are starting to dip in some markets. And if you’re beginning to second guess your plans based on what you’re hearing in the media, here’s what you need to know. It's true that a few metros are seeing slight price drops. But don't let that overshadow this simple truth. Home values almost always go up over time (see graph below): While everyone remembers what happened around the housing crash of 2008, that was the exception – not the rule. It hadn’t happened before, and hasn’t since. There were many market dynamics that were drastically different back then, too. From relaxed lending standards to a lack of homeowner equity, and even a large oversupply of homes, it was very different from where the national housing market is today. So, every headline about prices slowing down, normalizing, or even dipping doesn’t need to trigger fear that another big crash is coming. Here’s something that explains why short-term dips usually aren’t a long-term deal-breaker. What’s the Five-Year Rule? In real estate, you might hear talk about the five-year rule. The idea is that if you plan to own your home for at least five years, short-term dips in prices usually don’t hurt you much. That’s because home values almost always go up in the long run. Even if prices drop a bit for a year or two, they tend to bounce back (and then some) over time. Take it from Lance Lambert, Co-Founder of ResiClub: “. . . there’s the ‘five-year rule of thumb’ in real estate—which suggests that most buyers can buffer themselves from mild short-term declines if they plan to own a property for at least that amount of time.” What’s Happening in Today’s Market? Here’s something else to put your mind at ease. Right now, most housing markets are still seeing home prices rise – just not as fast as they were a few years ago. But in the major metros where prices are starting to cool off a little (the red bars in the graph below), the average drop is only about -2.9% since April 2024. That’s not a major decline like we saw back in 2008. And when you look at the graph below, it’s clear that prices in most of those markets are up significantly compared to where they were five years ago (the blue bars). So, those homeowners are still ahead if they’ve been in their house for a few years or more (see graph below): The Big Picture Over the past 5 years, home prices have risen a staggering 55% , according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA). So, a small short-term dip isn’t a significant loss. Even if your city is one where they’re down 2% or so, you’re still up far more than that. And if you break those 5-year gains down even further, using data from the FHFA, you’ll see home values are up in every single state over the last five years (see map below): That’s why it’s important not to stress too much about what’s happening this month, or even this year. If you’re in it for the long haul (and most homeowners are) your home is likely to grow in value over time. Bottom Line Yes, prices can shift in the short term. But history shows that home values almost always go up – especially if you live there for at least five years. So, whether you’re thinking of buying or selling, remember the five-year rule, and take comfort in the long view. When you think about where you want to be in five years, how does owning a home fit into that picture? Let’s connect to get you there.

Newly Built Homes May Be Less Expensive Than You Think

By KCM • June 25, 2025
Newly Built Homes May Be Less Expensive Than You Think Do you think a brand-new home means a bigger price tag? Think again. Right now, something unique is happening in the housing market. According to the Census and the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median price of newly built homes is actually lower than the median price for existing homes (ones that have already been lived in): You read that right. That brand new, never-been-lived-in house may cost less than the one built 20 years ago in a neighborhood just down the street. So, if you wrote off a new build because you assumed they’d be financially out of reach, here’s what you should know. You could be missing out on some of the best options in today’s housing market. Why Are Newly Built Homes Less Expensive Right Now? 1. Builders Are Building Smaller Homes Builders know that buyers are struggling with affordability today. So, instead of building big houses that may not sell, they’re building smaller ones that will. According to the Census, the average size of a newly built single-family home has dropped considerably over the past few years (see graph below): And as size goes down, the price often does too. Smaller homes use fewer materials, which makes them less expensive to build. That helps builders keep prices lower so more people can afford them. 2. Builders Are Offering Price Cuts and Incentives In May, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), 34% of builders lowered their prices, with an average price drop of 5% . That’s because they want to be sure they’re selling the inventory they have before they build more. On top of that, 61% of builders also offered sales incentives – like helping with closing costs or buying down your mortgage rate. These are all ways builders are making their homes more affordable, so these homes sell in today’s market. Your Next Step? Ask Your Agent What's Available Near You If you're trying to buy a home right now, be sure to talk to your agent to find out what builders are doing in and around your area. They can find new home communities, as well as builders who are offering incentives or discounts, and hidden gems you might not uncover on your own. Plus, buying a newly built home often means there are different steps in the process than if you purchase a home that’s been lived in before. That’s why it’s so important to have your own agent who can explain the fine print. You want a pro in your corner to advocate for you, negotiate on your behalf, and make sure your best interests come first. Bottom Line You could get a home that’s brand new, with modern features, at a price that’s even lower than some older homes. Let’s talk about what you’re looking for and see if a newly built home is the right fit for you. If buying a home is on your to-do list, what would stop you from exploring newly built options?
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