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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Are Home Prices Dropping? Here’s the Real Story.

By KCM • March 15, 2026
Are Home Prices Dropping? Here’s the Real Story. You’ve probably seen posts on social media talking about how “home prices are falling.” And when you see something like that, it’s normal to wonder: Is this the start of a crash? What does this mean for my house? Let’s clear this up right away. This is not a crash. And your home is not suddenly losing a lot of value. The National Story – Prices Are Still Going Up Here’s what often gets left out of what you’re seeing online. While some markets are experiencing slight declines, they’re the minority. Most places are still seeing prices rise or at the very least, hold steady. That’s why, at the national level, home prices are still rising, just at a slower pace. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR): “Home prices continued to rise in the fourth quarter of 2025. National median prices rose 1.2% year over year to $414,900.” That’s not the rapid growth of a few years ago, but it’s not a downturn either. And just to really drive this home, here’s a look at the data from NAR at a regional level, so you can see that the negative narrative spun up online isn’t the whole truth (see graph below): Home prices are up (or at least holding steady) in the Northeast, Midwest, and South. The West has seen some small declines in certain markets, but “small” is the key word. There is no wave of falling prices across the country. Instead, there are just a few pockets adjusting after several years of what’s typically considered unsustainable or exponential growth. Yes, Some Markets Have Come Down, But Look at the Bigger Picture. Okay, but what about the places where prices have declined? According to ResiClub and Zillow, that’s not a cause for major concern. When you zoom out and look at those same markets over the past five years, the story changes (see graph below): In the areas with recent declines, home values are still significantly higher than they were just five years ago. That’s a direct reflection of how much home values have gone up. Online chatter tends to shine a spotlight on the few areas that are down. But the bigger picture shows most homeowners are still in a very strong position. Of course, every market, and every home, is different. But broadly speaking, home values are holding steady. And this isn’t a sign of widespread trouble in the market. Bottom Line Despite what you may be seeing online, home prices are rising or holding steady in most parts of the country. If you’re curious what your home is worth today, let’s take a look at the numbers together. Because context, and local expertise, matter more than what you’re seeing online.

The Hidden Advantage Repeat Buyers Have Right Now

By KCM • March 13, 2026
The Hidden Advantage Repeat Buyers Have Right Now What if you didn’t have a mortgage payment on your next house? It may sound a little unrealistic. But for a number of homeowners, it’s actually doable. Nearly 3 in 10 homes purchased today are bought in cash , according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR). That’s far more than the pre-pandemic norm (see graph below): So, how are so many buyers pulling that off? The answer is simple: home equity . Back in 2020-2021, mortgage rates and the number of homes for sale were both at all-time lows. And that combination pushed home prices up, fast. If you owned a home during that time, it likely gained significant value – maybe even enough to buy your next house in cash . NAR explains : “. . . rising home equity has armed many existing homeowners with the financial leverage to make cash offers , allowing them to convert years of price appreciation into immediate purchasing power.” Here’s why you may want to go that route yourself, if you have enough equity to do it. 1. Your Offer Becomes More Attractive Sellers value certainty. And an all-cash offer removes one of the biggest unknowns in a transaction: financing. As Rocket Mortgage explains: “ Cash offers are attractive to sellers. Sellers often prefer to work with cash buyers if they can because they don’t have to worry about a buyer’s financing falling through at the last minute.” In many markets, an all-cash offer can give you a serious edge. 2. You Can Close Faster And since you don't have to worry about underwriting, lender approvals, and loan processing, the time it takes to close shrinks. Cotality puts it this way: “Cash buyers have always enjoyed an edge over borrowers. They remove financing risk, reduce delays, and often close in days rather than weeks .” If the owner of the house you're buying is already under contract on their next home or they just need to move fast (like for a new job), that speed is a real draw. 3. You Won't Have Monthly Mortgage Payments When you buy in cash, you don’t have to finance your purchase. That means you don’t have to worry about what today’s mortgage rates are and you own the house outright from the day you close. And that’s a big deal. No mortgage. No monthly payment. Full ownership. That financial freedom opens the door for other big lifestyle benefits. Zillow explains: “Paying in cash means you own your home outright. This eliminates the need for monthly mortgage payments, freeing up your finances for other priorities like savings, travel, or home improvements.” 4. You May Get a Better Deal And here’s one more thing that surprises a lot of homeowners: cash buyers often pay less for the house. According to Cotality, all-cash buyers tend to spend roughly 9% less on the house than buyers who use a mortgage. That’s because some sellers are willing to accept lower offers to get a deal done quickly, with more certainty of closing, and fewer financing hoops to jump through. As Cotality explains: “From a seller’s point of view, a lower but reliable offer can feel preferable to a higher one that may collapse weeks later.” And that advantage grows with each passing year (see graph below): Is an All-Cash Move Realistic for You? Not every homeowner will buy their next house outright in cash. And that’s okay. But the bigger takeaway is this: the equity you’ve built may give you more options than you think. Whether that means downsizing and eliminating a mortgage entirely, or just relocating with stronger negotiating power, your current house may be what makes it possible. Bottom Line Before assuming you’ll need another traditional mortgage, it’s worth asking one simple question: How much equity do you really have? Because the answer might change what you thought your next move could look like. Curious what your home equity could do for you? Let’s run the numbers and see what kind of buying power you’re really sitting on.

How Your Equity Could Help Younger Generations Buy a Home

By KCM • March 11, 2026
How Your Equity Could Help Younger Generations Buy a Home For a lot of parents or grandparents, watching a family member struggle to buy their first home right now is hard. That's because you saw firsthand how homeownership gave your life more stability and helped grow your net worth – and you want your loved ones to have those same opportunities. But with all the affordability challenges in recent years, that can feel like an uphill battle – even though it’s slowly improving lately. Here’s what you may not realize. You may be in a unique position to help (thanks to the equity in your current house). The Equity Advantage You May Not Be Thinking About You’ve likely owned your home for years, maybe even decades. And during that time, two things happened: Home values rose Your mortgage balance shrank (or you paid it off entirely) That combination has created substantial equity for many homeowners like you. And while you may think of that equity as something you want to have in your pocket for retirement, it can also serve another purpose: helping the next generation clear the biggest hurdle in their way. The #1 Thing Holding Young Buyers Back When John Burns Research & Consulting (JBREC) asked renters what’s keeping them from buying, the top answer wasn’t mortgage rates or home prices. It was the upfront cost, particularly saving enough for their down payment (see graph below): That’s where you may be able to make more of a difference than you realize. You can’t control rates or prices. But you may be able to use your equity to help with this upfront expense. And giving money to your loved one so they buy a home doesn’t mean putting your own future at risk. Even a small portion of your equity can put them in a position to finally get the keys to their first place – and, if you’re strategic about it, you’d still have a lot leftover for when you retire. With an estimated $68 and $84 trillion of wealth expected to transfer from older generations to younger ones over the next two decades, many families are already thinking differently about when and how that wealth will be passed down. Maybe it makes sense for your family to think about too. Help from Loved Ones Is Making a Move Possible for Many First-Time Buyers A growing share of young buyers are using gifts and loans from their loved ones to springboard into homeownership. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), nearly 1 in 5 first-time buyers use a cash gift from their family or loved ones for their down payment. And other young buyers are using their inheritance or a loan from someone they know to finally break into the market (see charts below): This Is About Opportunity, Not Obligation Every family’s situation is different, and your decision should be made carefully. It’s just that, if you’ve built up a lot of equity, you may have more room to help than you think. It’s not just a financial gift. It’s giving stability, security, and a foundation that could change their lives for the better – especially at a time when they may not be able to do it on their own. Bottom Line If you’re curious what your home equity could make possible, for you or for your loved ones, let’s start with a simple conversation. Because sometimes the most meaningful investment you can make is for the next generation.
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