End of Lease Cleaning: 7 Areas That Are Often Missed

When it comes to end of lease cleaning, most tenants focus on the more obvious tasks—vacuuming the floors, wiping down countertops, and giving the bathrooms a quick scrub. However, landlords and property managers are notoriously thorough in their inspections, and missing certain areas could lead to unwanted deductions from your bond deposit.
Here’s a guide to the most commonly forgotten areas that could impact your chances of getting your full bond refund, along with tips on how to clean them effectively.

Why It’s Often Missed:

Most people forget to move large appliances like the refrigerator, oven, and washing machine when cleaning. These hidden spots can accumulate layers of dust, grease, and food debris over time, making them a red flag during inspections.

What to Do:

• Move appliances carefully to avoid damaging the floors or walls.
• Use a vacuum to remove dust and larger debris.
• Clean grease and grime with a strong degrease for the kitchen areas.
• Ensure the appliance itself is cleaned thoroughly inside and out, including any pullout trays or shelves.

Key Appliances to Check:

• Refrigerator (inside, outside, and behind)
• Oven and stovetop
• Washing machine and dryer
• Dishwasher

Why It’s Often Missed:

Light fixtures, ceiling fans, and high places are often overlooked simply because they’re out of sight. Dust and dead insects can gather in light fixtures, while ceiling fans can accumulate thick layers of dust on the blades.

What to Do:

• Turn off the power before cleaning any light fixtures.
• Use a step stool or ladder to reach high areas.
• For light fixtures, remove any covers and clean both the inside and outside.
• For ceiling fans, use a microfiber cloth or duster designed for fan blades.
• Pay attention to light switches and surrounding wall areas that may have fingerprints or smudges.

Areas to Check:

• Ceiling fans (especially the tops of blades)
• Light fixtures (especially those in the kitchen and bathroom)
• Light switches and power points

Why It’s Often Missed:

Skirting boards and baseboards are low to the ground and easy to forget, but they attract dust, dirt, and grime over time. Ignoring them during your end-of-lease cleaning could leave visible dust lines that inspectors are quick to notice.

What to Do:

• Vacuum the area first to remove loose dust.
• Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down the skirting boards.
• For tougher stains or built-up grime, use a mild cleaner or a sponge with a little bit of detergent.

Key Areas to Focus On:

• Skirting boards in high-traffic areas like hallways, living rooms, and bedrooms.
• Baseboards in kitchens and bathrooms where grime tends to accumulate.

Why It’s Often Missed:

Most tenants remember to clean the windows themselves, but window tracks and blinds are often overlooked. Dirt, dust, and even small insects can gather in window tracks, while blinds (especially horizontal ones) are prone to dust build-up.

What to Do:

• For window tracks, use a vacuum with a small nozzle attachment to suck up dirt and dust.
• Follow up by scrubbing the tracks with a toothbrush dipped in a cleaning solution.
• For blinds, use a microfiber cloth to gently dust each slat. For fabric blinds, use a vacuum with a brush attachment.

Areas to Focus On:

• Window tracks in living rooms and bedrooms
• Blinds in the kitchen and bathroom, which can be prone to grease or moisture build-up

Why It’s Often Missed:

Cupboards and drawers may seem clean after removing your belongings, but crumbs, dust, and even residue from old items can linger in corners and crevices. Leaving these areas untouched during your end of lease clean can result in unwanted deductions.

What to Do:

• Empty out all cupboards and drawers first.
• Vacuum the inside to remove crumbs or dust.
• Wipe down the interior surfaces with a damp cloth and mild detergent.
• Pay special attention to corners, where dirt and dust tend to gather.
• Check for any leftover food stains or grime, especially in kitchen cupboards.

Key Areas to Clean:

• Kitchen cupboards and drawers, including pantry shelves.
• Bathroom cabinets and drawers, which can collect residue from toiletries.
• Built-in wardrobes and storage closets.

Why It’s Often Missed:

Air vents and filters are often out of sight and out of mind, but they can collect a significant amount of dust and debris. Dirty air vents can also affect air quality, which might lead to deductions from your bond.

What to Do:

• Turn off the air conditioning or heating unit before cleaning.
• Use a vacuum with a brush attachment to clean dust from vents and grilles.
• For deeper cleaning, remove the vents and wipe them down with soapy water.
• If your rental property has air filters, make sure to clean or replace them according to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Areas to Focus On:

• Air vents in common areas like the living room and bedrooms.
• Kitchen exhaust fans, which can accumulate grease over time.
• Filters for air conditioning units or heating systems.

Why It’s Often Missed:

Outdoor areas such as balconies, patios, and courtyards are often neglected during an end-of-lease clean. Cobwebs, dust, and debris can build up, and failure to clean these areas might result in a deduction from your bond.

What to Do:

• Sweep the area first to remove loose debris.
• For balconies and patios, use a pressure washer or hose to remove dirt and grime from the floor.
• Clean any outdoor furniture, railings, or fixtures.
• Check for and remove any cobwebs or insect nests.

Key Outdoor Areas:

• Balcony or patio floors, walls, and railings.
• Outdoor furniture, if included in the rental agreement.
• Garage or storage areas, if applicable.

Missing any of these critical areas during your end of lease cleaning could result in costly deductions from your bond deposit. Landlords and property managers are meticulous when it comes to inspections, so it’s essential to leave no stone unturned.

If you’re feeling overwhelmed or unsure if you’ve covered everything, hiring a professional end of lease cleaning service can ensure nothing is missed. A professional cleaner will know exactly what landlords expect and can guarantee a thorough and efficient clean, helping you secure your full bond refund.

At Fast Bond Cleaning Brisbane, we specialize in providing comprehensive end of lease cleaning services that cover every inch of your property, including the commonly forgotten areas mentioned above. Our team is fully equipped to handle all the cleaning tasks required to ensure a smooth inspection process, and we back our services with a 100% bond-back guarantee.

Contact us today for a free quote!

Phone: 0401 816 055
Email: fastbondcleaningbrisbane@gmail.com

Let Fast Bond Cleaning Brisbane handle your end-of-lease cleaning so you can focus on moving to your new home with peace of mind!