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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People are turning to AI for just about anything you can think of: Trying to figure out if a strange symptom is worth a doctor’s visit Drafting a text they’ve been overthinking for three days Deciding whether that noise coming from their car is “normal” or “you should probably pull over immediately” Even asking how to handle awkward conversations, negotiate a salary, or plan out major life decisions So of course, it makes sense that people buying or selling a home would turn to AI at different stages of the process. And to be fair, it can be incredibly useful. It can give you a general sense of how the process works, help you understand terminology, and prepare you to ask better questions. Ideally, it helps make things smoother. More efficient. More informed. But that really hinges on whether it’s actually giving you accurate information, and whether that information is being interpreted correctly. That’s not to say that AI always gives wrong or even bad advice. But one thing it always gives is…confident advice. And sometimes, that confidence can be misplaced. When Everyone’s AI Answer Is “Right”… Things Can Go Wrong A recent story making the rounds is a perfect example of how this can play out in real life. According to NewsNation , well-known celebrity agent Ryan Serhant shared how a major deal nearly fell apart because both sides were turning to AI for guidance during negotiations. Basically, the seller asked if they were accepting too low of an offer, and AI confidently said yes. On the other hand, the buyer asked if they were paying too much. And, wouldn’t you know it, they were confidently told that they were in fact overpaying. That led to both sides wanting to cancel the contract. The agents involved were able to step in, help their respective clients understand the market data, and ultimately bring the parties back together to salvage the deal. And that’s becoming a more common role in today’s market. Agents are having to help people navigate situations where the challenge isn’t a lack of information… but rather being too certain about the information they are receiving. Very Few People Actually Trust AI, Yet Many Still Follow Its Advice A recent survey found that while only 16% of people say they trust AI “a great deal,” yet many still rely on its answers when making decisions. Even more interesting: 58% of people admit AI has influenced their opinions 32% don’t fully understand how it generates answers And despite all of these things, many people still rely on the confident-sounding answer from AI over a trusted, verified source That’s a tricky combination. Because if you don’t fully understand how something works, it becomes very hard to recognize when it might be wrong. And when the answer is delivered in a way that sounds authoritative, it’s easy to accept it at face value. AI Is the New Dad in the Room In a way, none of this is entirely new. Real estate agents have been navigating this dynamic for years, it just typically comes from different sources. For instance: The well-meaning buyer’s dad at the home inspection. A relative who “sold a lot of houses” in their life. (It was two. And they were in the 80s and 90s.) Their hair stylist who knows every house on the market in town. That’s just to name a few examples. There are plenty of other people with thoughts and opinions they want to share with someone who is in the middle of buying or selling a home. And, while they come in all shapes and sizes, the one thing they all have in common is that they are absolutely, 100% confident in the advice they give. Unfortunately, their perspective and advice is often wrong or outdated, which puts the agent in a tough spot because they have to gently untangle advice that sounds logical, but isn’t actually good advice. People are often speculating how many jobs AI will replace in the near future. Will it replace the well-meaning friend or family member soliciting advice to home buyers and sellers? Probably not. Most likely AI will just be added to the list of outside advice agents have to help their clients assess and decide whether it’s accurate or not. And that’s really what this all comes down to. By all means, use AI. Ask it questions. Get a feel for things. Explore different angles. And while you’re at it, hear out the thoughts and advice of friends, family, and even that random person who sounds incredibly confident in what they’re saying. There’s nothing wrong with gathering input. But at the end of the day, just make sure you have an agent you trust helping you weigh the confident-sounding advice… so you can make a confident decision of your own. The Takeaway: More and more people are turning to AI for advice, and when it comes to buying or selling a home, that’s no exception. It can be a helpful starting point, giving you a general understanding of the process and helping you feel more prepared. The challenge is that AI often delivers confident answers that can sound right… even when they don’t fully apply. That’s why having a trusted agent matters. Not just to provide information, but to help you interpret what you’re hearing from AI (or even a well-meaning friend or relative), filter out what doesn’t apply, and guide you toward decisions that actually work in your specific situation.
Two Big Reasons To Move This Summer A lot of people who want to move are telling themselves the same thing: "Maybe I'll just wait until later this year once things calm down." While waiting sounds like a good plan, there's something worth knowing before you decide. Rates aren’t expected to change much, so if that’s the #1 reason you’re waiting, it may not pay off. And there may be other things you miss out on in the meantime. Historically, Summer is one of the strongest seasons of the year for both buyers and sellers. And if you delay your move until Fall or Winter, some of those opportunities may already be fading. Buyers: Fresh Inventory Is Your Real Summer Advantage One of the biggest frustrations buyers have faced over the past few years has been a lack of affordable options . Maybe you’ve run into that yourself: You find a house you like, but it's out of your budget. You find something in your budget, but you don’t like it. Or worse, nothing interesting hits the market for weeks. Historically, Summer helps with that. Looking at data from the last few years, Summer months consistently bring more sellers into the market than later in the year. And that gives buyers a real window of fresh choices. According to Realtor.com, any given Summer month typically sees about 32% more fresh options than the average month from September-December. With more newly listed homes, there’s a better chance of finding one you like where the numbers actually work. Because all it really takes is one home to completely change your search. And if you’ve got more popping onto the market to choose from, maybe one of those is exactly what you need. But keep in mind, this seasonal window isn’t open forever. Fresh inventory tends to slow down once Summer ends. Many homeowners who planned to sell this year have already listed by then. Families who wanted to move before school starts have often already gotten it done, or at least, set it into motion. So, new listing activity usually cools as we head into Fall and Winter. Of course, every year is different. But if finding the right home at the right price has been your biggest challenge, waiting until later in the year may not necessarily give you more options. In fact, recent history suggests it may do just the opposite. Sellers: Homes Usually Sell for More in the Summer If you're thinking of selling, you may be considering holding off because you've seen headlines about lower asking prices, price cuts, and softer conditions in some markets. But those headlines don’t tell the whole story or convey just how much it varies by area. Here’s what you really need to know. Even though the market’s becoming more balanced and some pockets are experiencing price declines, that doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to sell. Seasonality can still work in your favor no matter where you are . And this Summer could still give you the chance to sell for a good price. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), homes sold during a Summer month usually sell for about 4% more than homes sold during the typical month from September-December: Why? Summer buyers are usually operating on a set timeframe. They’re trying to move before the next school year or when they have more PTO and warmer weather to tour houses. That urgency can translate into better offers. Now, that doesn’t mean you should price your house 4% higher this Summer. That would actually be a mistake in today’s market. It just means if you’re looking to get as much for your house as you reasonably can, a Summer move could be a smarter play than waiting until later this year. Because based on typical seasonality , you may get more for your house than you would if you waited until the Fall or Winter (when there are typically fewer buyers active). And if you're considering a move anyway, that’s worth factoring in. Bottom Line Could waiting until later this year work out? Sure. But it's important to understand what you may gain by moving now too – that way you have the full picture before you decide. If a 2026 move is on your radar, let’s connect and talk about what matters most to you. Depending on your priorities, Summer could be your moment.
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