After all the term papers, late night studying and final exams there’s one more thing you need to do at the end of the university school year-Clean your student apartment! Not something you’ve been looking forward to, but an important part of university life nonetheless. Cleaning before you leave your housing is part of being a responsible tenant and it’s the key to getting your deposit back! So whether you live in a dorm or in off campus housing use these 3 cleaning tips to make it quick and easy and hopefully get you the money!
#1 Get The List
First of all check if your landlord provides you a checklist of cleaning requirements. Many on campus dorms or off campus apartments will give you a specific checklist of items that need to be cleaned before checkout. If all items aren’t cleaned to their satisfaction they may send you back to do a better job, or deduct some or all of the refundable portion of your deposit. So find out beforehand what is expected.
#2 Start at the Top
One way to make sure your student apartment gets a good deep cleaning is to start at the top and work your way to the bottom. Start with the ceiling, work down the walls and end with the floor. Here’s a few suggested items to make sure to check.
Ceiling-dust any light fixtures, sweep down cob webs
Walls & Windows-remove any posters, pictures and the nails used to hang them, remove any tape or other items used to adhere anything to the walls. If there is any damage to the walls other than a small nail hole you will probably be charged for that. Clean any window sills or ledges and clean the windows. Wipe down any doors and doorknobs as well as light switches that tend to get really dirty. Wipe down the walls, paying special attention to baseboards that can really collect the dust and dirt.
Floors-clean the floors at the very end so you aren’t tracking dirt across a clean floor as you move out items. Make sure to vacuum carpets well or sweep and mop all surfaces. Use spot remover to get up any stains on carpets.
You can use this top to bottom method for any room but there are a few special things to do in bathrooms and kitchens.
#3 Bathrooms and Kitchens
These can be the rooms that need the most elbow grease to get them sparkling. These rooms if left clean will quickly impress a landlord. If they are left dirty they are the rooms that will most likely result in high deductions from your deposit since they would cost the landlord the most to have someone else come in and clean.
Bathrooms
Make sure ceiling doesn’t have any mildew on it from steamy showers. Vacuum out dusty exhaust vents. Clean shower, bath and sink well and don’t forget the tile surrounding tub. Work hard to get off all the soap scum and hard water stains. If you have a question about what cleaners are appropriate ask your landlord. Shine up the taps too. Clean out any drawers and cupboards, remove liners and make sure to get all the hair out of the drawers. Wipe down toilet and clean the inside too. Clean mirrors. Last scrub the floor well.
Kitchen
Not all student apartments have kitchens but if you don’t you may have a small fridge or microwave in your apartment. Check the ceiling for food splatters. Clean any light fixtures. Wipe down the walls paying special attention to walls behind the stove. You may need to use a degreasing cleaner for that area. Wipe out all the cupboards and remove liners. Wipe down the fronts of the cabinets. Scrub sink and shine taps. Clean out the fridge including freezer and all drawers. Turn the temperature to lowest setting in the fridge but don’t turn it off. Clean the oven and stove top. Follow instructions if it is a self-cleaning oven or use an oven cleaner if not. Never use oven cleaner on a self-cleaning oven. Clean the pans under the burners well. Clean exhaust fan if needed. Sweep behind appliances that you are able to move.
Make sure you don’t leave anything behind. Dispose of items you are throwing out, don’t leave them for the landlord to remove. Throw out all your trash.
#4 Share the work
Divide the chores with your roommates. If there are issues with roommates not doing their share or leaving a mess, make sure and discuss this with your landlord so it doesn’t affect the return of your deposit.
Deposits at student apartments and off campus housing are usually not a lot of money but be a responsible renter and leave your residence clean. The return of that deposit can go toward your next housing, pay off a little of your student loan, or be a reward for a year of hard work at school.
Looking for off campus housing near Utah State University in St George, Utah? Dixie Cove Apartments is right across the street from campus, with large student rooms, a beautiful pool and affordable rates. We are renting for fall semester 2018/2019 now. Summer rates are also available.
Copyright: andreypopov / 123RF Stock Photo
