While you are away for more than a couple of days, your greatest concern is leaving your home unoccupied and your pets unsupervised. Surely this is not an issue you should underestimate- empty properties are a magnet for burglars. And who is going to take care of your lovely pet? Hiring a professional house sitter is the ultimate solution you are looking for. Leave for a business trip or long vacation knowing that your home would be safe in the hands of an expert company. Here are some extra benefits you would get when relying on a professional house sitter:

• You can negotiate your conditions – what bothers you most- leaving the house unsupervised, causing a lot of stress to your pets or losing your insurance? No matter which one of these issues concerns you, a professional house sitter can take care of it. It is their job to make sure you get the service you demand on. Hiring an expert guarantees that the needs of your property would be met since pro sitters have been trained to handle any kind of domestic maintenance. Let your house sitter know your requirements so that you feel at ease throughout your entire trip.

• Your pets would be safe – having someone to rely on is important not only for humans but for your four-legged friends too. Surely you can ask a friend or your neighbour to feed your cat or take the dog for a walk, but in the meantime, your pet would be alone at home. It is a proven fact that your absence is a stressful moment for the animal, that’s why having a pro at your place is vital for pets’ well-being. And what about facing an accident or emergency? With an expert company, both you and your pet would feel more comfortable and secure.

• Your house would be protected – let’s face it, empty properties often become a target for burglars. With that thought on your mind, it would be hard for you to relax on your trip or even focus in case you are away for business. Have the peace of mind you deserve by hiring a house sitter to keep your home safe from vandalism. It is your sitter’s prime goal to check your place and make sure that doors and windows are locked. Since your home would look like an occupied place, burglars would quickly lose interest in vandalising it.

• You can meet your insurance terms – apart from the emotional side of vacating your place for a long time, there is a practical aspect too. Many insurance companies add a special clause to the policy regarding your being absent from your home for more than 30 days. In case any kind of accident happens after that period, your insurance policy wouldn’t cover it. With a professional house sitter, this condition shouldn’t bother you, since your home would stay occupied for as long as necessary. 

• Your property would stay presentable – since you wouldn’t be around for a while, your home wouldn’t get the attention it requires unless you hire a pro to keep it well-maintained. It is your sitter’s job to take care not only for the interior of your place but for the exterior as well. Do you have a beautiful lawn or a veggie garden that need to be watered regularly? Rely on the experts to deal with chores and backyard maintenance with care. It would be their task to dust, mop, take out the trash or even mow your lawn. After all, who doesn’t want to return to ideally preserved home?

Hiring a professional House Cleaning Service London to take care of your place while you are gone is always a smart option. Keep your home safe, your pets happy and your entire property in excellent condition with the help of expert service.

© Domestic Cleaners Ltd

Going through the process of cleaning a property once the tenancy agreement has expired is the sole responsibility of the tenant. It is also extremely integral to the tenant being able to receive the entirety of their deposit. To ensure that no area or room is missed and to ensure that there are no reasons why a portion of all of their deposit is not refunded to them, a checklist is essential.

An end of tenancy cleaning checklist can also be used by a landlord when the property is being inspected against the initial inventory report. This is to make sure that the previous tenants were able to fulfil their responsibility. This article contains a checklist that covers every area that is critical to getting your deposit back. Let us begin.

It is important always to remember to leave sufficient time to clean the entire rental property. Deciding to skimp on a few additional days of cleaning chores is not worth losing a portion or all of your deposit.

Bedrooms

• The first step would be to handle any dirt and dust that is present. The most efficient means to tackle the bedroom is to clean the rooms from the ceiling to the floor.
• All cobwebs must be removed from all the corners and ceilings. 
• Any areas where dust can accumulate like cupboards, shelves and wardrobed must be wiped down.
• It is also imperative to wipe any accumulated dust and dirt from the top side of doors. 
• Any picture frames must also be wiped clean of accumulated dust. 
• Curtain rails are typically forgotten when cleaning up a room. These should be wiped down.
• It is essential to correctly dust and vacuums the two sides of any blinds and curtains present in the room.
• Pictures, mirrors and any other items that hang on the wall have to be wiped clean and then polished.
• The dust from decorations and skirting boards have to be wiped off.
• The lampshades and light fixtures in the room have to be dusted. 
• Any metal ornaments in the room should be cleaned and then polished.
• Any switches present in the room should be wiped and polished.
• If the wall has any dirty marks on it, it should be removed or repaired where applicable.
• The extension cords and power sockets in the room have to be carefully cleaned.
• All mattresses should be thoroughly vacuumed.
• Laminate and hard floors should be mopped clean.

Bathrooms 

Mildew and dirt are the most widespread and least tolerable in a bathroom. Showers, baths, tiles and toilets must be thoroughly cleaned as well as polished.

• Taps, fittings and basins must be cleaned.
• Any visible stains caused by hard water must be eradicated.
• If limescale is present, it must be removed.
• Ensure that soap dispensers are scrubbed and rinsed.
• Bidets and toilets have to be scrubbed and rinsed.
• Towel rails and radiators should be thoroughly wiped and polished.
• Clan the plumbing located there, if it is possible to reach behind the toilet.
• Any stains and marks present on the shower screens should be removed.
• Ensure that the bathroom is thoroughly scrubbed of all mildew signs and bath marks.
• The drains must be clean.
• Glass surfaces, as well as mirrors,  should be wiped and polished.
• Metal surfaces, taps and showerheads should be descaled, rinsed and then wiped clean.
• Any accumulated dirt in the toothbrush area should be scrubbed and rinsed off.
• The extractor fans should be cleaned and free from dust.
• All bathroom tiles should be wiped clean.

Kitchens 

The kitchen represents a large part of the cleaning job. This is because the kitchen is typically the room that is most used in the house, coupled with the fact that due to its nature, it is heavily susceptible to dirt and numerous germs.

• All countertops, worktops and areas near the sink should be washed and polished.
• The inside of cupboards, shelves and drawers should be thoroughly clean.
• Any excess carrier bags or leftover food should be tossed.
• The taps should be shined, and sinks should be washed and polished.
• Any presence of accumulated limescale should be eradicated.
• The wall tiles should be decreased and then polished.
• Grouting lines should be cleaned of mould.
• The inside and outside of any ovens should be cleaned and thoroughly degreased.
• The stovetops and extractors should be cleaned of grime.
• The control knobs and cooker rings should be scrubbed of dirt.
• The microwave should be thoroughly cleaned, both inside and outside.
• The insides of the freezer and fridge should be cleaned.
• The washing machine should be cleaned.
• The dishwasher should be thoroughly cleaned, both inside and out.
• All appliances should have their exterior cleaned.
• Garbage should be appropriately disposed of.
• Window sills should be wiped down, frames, ledges and sills as well.
• All dirt from woodwork such as door frames, handles, doors, skirting boards and furnishing have to be wiped away.
• The radiators, if accessible, have to be wiped down.

Furnishings

Rental companies or landlords will notice any furnishings that are dirty on their inspection. This is why you have to carefully, wipe, clean and vacuum all furnishings.

• Ensure that all countertops, worktops and tables are wiped and polished.
• Ensure that all marks and fingerprints are removed.
• Be on the lookout for any visible oil stains.
• Sofa cushions should be taken outside and hit till the dust is eradicated from them.
• The sofa should be vacuumed both with and without cushions.
• All furnishings should be moved to vacuum the floor beneath them.
• All wooden items should be wiped and polished.

Carpets

One of the most scrutinised areas of a rental property is the carpet. Cleaning a carpet is an extremely arduous task to undertake, which is why it is always best to hire the services of a carpet cleaning company or a carpet cleaner.

• The edges of the carpet should be thoroughly vacuumed.
• Furniture should be moved to get to the floor beneath.
• If it is possible, steam clean the carpet.
• If you don’t have access to a machine carpet cleaner, you can attempt handwashing the stains.

Windows 

The windows are no exception to an end of tenancy cleaning.

• Any oily stains, marks and fingerprints must be eradicated.
• Ensure that the windows are wiped clean and dry to prevent streaks from forming.
• The windowsills should be properly cleaned.
• Frames should be wiped down.
• Curtains, shades and blinds should be dusted off.

Shelves, cupboards and drawers

It is quite common to miss clearing a cupboard or drawer that isn’t used often. Ensure that you inspect every shelf, cabinet and drawer.

• Clean the insides and outsides of the drawers.
• Take out any leftover item of unnecessary good.
• Wipe the inside and outside down.
• Clean the handles.

Fridge

Ensure that you have a look at the tenancy agreement, so you can know for sure if you are supposed to leave the refrigerator turned on or off. For the fridge to be cleaned appropriately, it might be necessary for you to turn it off for 24 hours before cleaning so the freezer section can properly defrost.

• Leftover food, mildew and dirt should be removed.
• Handles should be polished and wiped.
• The rubber seal should be cleaned.

Appliances

The dishwasher

• Ensure that it is free from soap and food deposits.
• The filters should be inspected and cleaned.
• The rubber seal should be wiped clean.
• The floor beneath it should be wiped and vacuumed.
• Remove stains and marks that might be visible near the soap dispenser.

The washing machine

• Ensure that the drum is clean from stains and leftovers scum.
• The filters in the washing machine should be properly inspected and cleaned.
• The washing machine should be moved so the floor beneath it and the space behind it can be properly cleaned.
• The soap dispenser drawer should be properly cleaned.
• All stains and marks should be properly removed.
• The rubber seal should be properly cleaned.
• The handles should be wiped down.

The dryer

• Both inside and outside of the machine should be cleaned.
• The rubber seal should be inspected.
• The filter and catchment area should be inspected and cleaned.

There are also quite a plethora of other smaller cleaning jobs that have to be done before you can receive the entirety of your deposit back. That being said, it is always imperative to remember to:

• Take out any leftover garbage.
• Ensure that the rubbish bins are thoroughly rinsed out.
• Have the extractors and fans degreased.

As a tenant, you must ensure that everything and every room listed on this end of tenancy cleaning checklist is ticked off. It is also essential to have a look at your tenancy agreement to completely understand what you are liable for and how that can affect you getting your full deposit back.

© Domestic Cleaners Ltd

Yes, dealing with the long list of cleaning chores contained just within the bathroom is pretty much no one’s cup of tea. Sometimes you will have to do repeat chores if you don’t want the tasks to pile up and overwhelm you. A bathroom is a place you visit daily, which means it is going to get somewhat dirty, and it is up to you to make things better. There is some good news, however, in the form of clever tips that you can employ to keep your bathroom clean for longer. Enjoy!

1. Be more preventive of moisture

The shower area often gets hard water deposits, soap scum and other unsightly stains because the water is left to sit there for too long. You cannot stop taking showers, obviously, but you can do something else – stop moisture in its tracks. How do you do it? It is rather simple actually. Get a squeegee in the area and wipe down the bathroom walls and doors after each shower you take. The less time moisture has to sit on those areas, the less time you will spend cleaning them in the future.

1. Consider adding a water repellent

If you wish to go the next step against moisture, you can coat your shower area with some water repellent. A solution like that will prevent not just water from building up, but also minerals and soap scum.

1. Remove the bar soap from the sink

Instead of bar soap, try using liquid soap at the sink in the bathroom. Any dispenser with a pump will do the job better since it will keep the solution container. Bar soap will often make the area quite messy, especially the countertop around the sink.

1. Go with towel bars

Towel bars are the way to go when it comes to drying them up nicely. You know that towels have a way to harbour a ton of bacteria, because of the moisture they contain. You don’t want to be spreading bacteria and germs on your face and hands every time you use a towel, do you? Towel bars work well for drying up towels faster. If you lack the wall space, consider placing them on the back of the door.

1. Switch to long-lasting cleaners

Are you fed up with cleaning solutions that just don’t seem to do the trick? Maybe you should switch for something that works. Long-lasting cleaning products are there; you just have to find them. Another alternative is to try out eco-friendly alternatives, like vinegar and baking soda. You will find them quite effective in large part of bathroom cleaning chores, such as removing the stains on the sink and grout.

1. Keep some disinfecting wipes under the sink

The sink is perhaps one of the dirtiest items in the bathroom, due to the fact it sees daily use. To remedy this, you can use something as simple as disinfecting wipes. Stash them under the sink and use them from time to time to control the mess.

1. Used dryer sheets work wonders in the bathroom

Before you dispose of these, consider the fact they have many uses. For instance, you can use them to remove a toothpaste stain, or clear some hair or dust particles from the floor. All without engaging in a lengthy cleaning process.

As you can see, there are a few cleaning tips that can help you keep the bathroom clean for longer and also make the cleaning process easier.

For more of these useful tips, consult with Domestic Cleaners Ltd.

© Domestic Cleaners Ltd