As more and more people are willing to rent instead of buying a property, the multifamily housing industry is growing and changing. This means more sustainable designs, smart technology, and amenities are offered to attract more renters.
Unfortunately, before moving into a new home, a tenant has to perform a thorough end of tenancy cleaning.
And no matter how well you handled the task of cleaning your bedroom or the living room with that colossal cat urine stain on the sofa, you cannot run away from the overwhelming bathroom disinfection chore.
There’s no doubt that this premise causes the most significant problems, dilemmas, and milestones before the property inspection on which your tenancy deposit depends.
But if you want to get your money back, you should simply deal with it: that grout should be out, and those tiles should become as clean as a whistle again. You might not believe it, but we might have the right formulas for your success.
Read them below and do well in the bathroom end of tenancy cleaning.
Tool You’ll Need for Cleaning Tile
Adequate preparation is half of your tile cleaning job. It is a must to know what to have at hand when you see a big stain on the bathroom tiles or find them all dirty, dusty, and covered with limescale.
Get your cleaning checklist and write down the equipment you need to make the bathroom tiles sparkling clean again:
- Lukewarm water. If you have distilled water, don’t hesitate to go for it. It’s the better solution because ordinary hard water is one of the main factors to blame for those faded and spotted tiles in the sanitary premise;
- Dish soap. It’s preferable to be liquid. And don’t use any abrasive solutions. Buy something mild (green, if possible);
- Clean cloth or tower. For maximum results, use unique cleaning microfiber textiles.
- Surface cleaner upon your desire and preferences.
Cleaning Tile – Efficient Step-By-Step Guide
If you have ordinary (ceramic or porcelain) tiles, prepare the eco-friendly DIY homemade cleansing solution: 20 ml of mild dishwashing soap and a bucket of lukewarm water. Use a spray bottle for a more precise disinfection routine.
Follow these steps for quick results:
- Start from top to bottom if the ceiling and the walls are covered with tiles, too;
- Wash tile by tile not to miss a spot;
- Start with spraying a bit on the surface and wait for your DIY solution to dissolve the dirt for up to a minute.
- Get your microfiber cloth and wipe out the dirt;
- For stubborn stains and old dirt, apply the surface cleaner and wipe it out in 20 minutes;
- Rinse the entire bathroom while having a quick shower after this housekeeping chore.
Tools You’ll Need for Cleaning Grout
Grout is a common bathroom issue.
This porous dirt is pretty tricky and demands to be cleaned. It’s because the group is seen between the tiles and usually is stuck deeply in the surface.
Many people make the mistake of harshly scrubbing the grout with abrasive materials, which literally destroys their landlords’ bathrooms. This can make you liable for damages which will give an excuse for the landlord to keep your security deposit.
Instead, you should get the following cleaning tools to eliminate the grout:
- A wet cloth or two (baby wipes are ok, too);
- Ordinary baking soda;
- Lukewarm water (the recommendation for distilled water is in force here, too);
- Hydrogen peroxide;
- If you don’t have hydrogen peroxide, replace it with bio-white vinegar;
- A bowl to mix your solution;
- Your old toothbrush (preferably of a soft type);
- Commercial grout sealer from the building store or the supermarket.
Cleaning Grout The Right and Practical Way
Now, let’s get to the hardest cleaning business in the bathroom: eliminating the grout forever and before your landlord arrives to inspect the property.
Please, follow the subsequent guides, and you will definitely make it:
- Pre-treat the area with grout. What you have to do in this initial cleaning phase is to wipe the tile with a wet cloth or baby wipes;
- If you see any excess dirt or grim, eliminate it right away;
- Now go to mix your DIY anti-grout bathroom cleaning solution by mixing the baking soda with lukewarm water (2:1);
- Attention: if the grout hasn’t been removed for ages, add 20 ml white vinegar to your DIY homemade cleansing solution;
- For delicate tiles, it’s better to replace the white vinegar with hydrogen peroxide to avoid any damage;
- Apply your solution on the grout surface;
- Start scrubbing with your toothbrush until the tile starts sparkling from cleanliness;
- Wipe out with a clean cloth;
- Rinse all the tiles;
- Apply the grout sealer for 24 hours (if possible).
Additional Cleaning Tips and techniques
If you are still in the bathroom trying to make the grout disappear and the tiles become as clean as a whistle again, we’ve got some more interesting tips to offer you. Please, don’t underestimate these expert-approved tricks, too:
- Bleach can be applied, but only if the grout is very harsh. On mandatory, mix it with water (1:2);
- Don’t hesitate to use some commercial grout remover if the DIY mild green cleansing solutions don’t work;
- Consider renting a steam cleaner – a professional cleaning machinery that removes the grout with one single movement;
- Save time cleaning the tiles using your old electric toothbrush head (replace it with a new one when you arrive in your next home place to “celebrate” the new beginning).
Hire Professional Cleaners If Nothing Works
We believe you’ve tried everything possible to remove the grout and the soapy or hard water stains. If nothing worked, don’t blame yourself. Instead, promise to perform regular domestic cleaning in the bathroom to keep it fresh and neat long-term.
As to your end of tenancy cleaning duty, there’s one more way to complete it with no hassle. Just call the local move out cleaners. They are very experienced and talented in grout and tile cleaning.
Besides, they will save you some energy to invest in your next moving phase or simply to take a rest from the exhausting removal process.
Conclusion
For anything in life, do not underestimate the bathroom tiles and grout during the thorough, comprehensive end of tenancy cleaning. Landlords “love” inspecting the sanitary premises where stains and grime are easily spotted.
If you follow this comprehensive checklist, you will handle the issue quickly and efficiently, meaning your landlord will be pleased, and you will get your security deposit back in full.