End-of-tenancy cleaning isn’t “normal cleaning.” It’s inspection cleaning.

Landlords and agents don’t notice what you did clean… they notice what you missed:

• Grease behind the hob
• Limescale on taps
• Dust on skirting boards
• A suspicious crumb in a drawer

This checklist covers the details that most people forget—so you can hand over the keys with confidence (and keep your deposit intact).

Before You Start: The Pro Setup (10 Minutes)

• ✅ Remove all personal items + rubbish
• ✅ Take photos of every room before cleaning (helpful for disputes)
• ✅ Gather supplies: microfiber cloths, sponge, degreaser, disinfectant, limescale remover/vinegar, baking soda, vacuum, mop, glass cleaner
• ✅ Work top to bottom, left to right in each room
• ✅ Open windows (ventilation helps smells + drying)

Whole Home Checklist (Do These in Every Room)

Surfaces + Dust

• Dust ceiling corners + remove cobwebs
• Wipe light switches, plug sockets, door handles
• Clean skirting boards, baseboards, door frames
• Wipe radiators (front + behind)
• Clean shelves, inside cupboards, and drawer interiors
• Wipe mirrors and glass surfaces
• Spot-clean walls (scuffs, fingerprints)

Floors

• Vacuum thoroughly (including edges + under furniture)
• Mop hard floors (pay attention to corners)
• If carpet: vacuum slowly in multiple directions
• Remove stains if possible (carpet stain remover / spot treatment)

Windows

• Clean interior window glass
• Wipe window sills + frames
• Clean any blinds/shutters (dust + wipe)

Kitchen Deep Clean Checklist (Most Deposit Deductions Happen Here)

Appliances (Inside + Outside)

• Oven deep clean (inside door, racks, trays, seals)
• Hob/stovetop degreased (burners, rings, knobs)
• Extractor fan + filters cleaned/degreased
• Microwave cleaned inside/out (including ceiling panel)
• Fridge/freezer emptied + defrosted + wiped (shelves, drawers, seals)
• Dishwasher cleaned (filter, door edges, seals)
• Washing machine (if in kitchen): drawer + seal + drum cleaned
• Kettle/toaster exterior wiped; descale kettle if needed

Cabinets + Surfaces

• Wipe all countertops and backsplash
• Clean cabinet fronts (especially around handles)
• Clean inside cabinets + drawers (crumbs, stains)
• Clean kickboards/plinths under cabinets
• Remove limescale from taps + sink area

Sink + Drain

• Scrub sink basin + disinfect
• Clean and deodorize drain
• Polish tap and metal finishes

Floors

• Vacuum edges and under appliances if possible
• Mop thoroughly (grease collects near cooker)

Bathroom Checklist (Limescale + Mould = Red Flags)

• Descale shower screen/tiles (remove streaks)
• Scrub grout lines and corners
• Clean bath + shower tray (no hair, no soap scum)
• Clean toilet (bowl, seat, hinges, base behind toilet)
• Clean sink + faucet (remove limescale)
• Clean mirror (no spots)
• Wipe cabinets/drawers inside and out
• Clean extractor fan cover (dust)
• Mop floor + clean edges
• Empty and wipe bathroom bin

Bonus “inspection detail”: wipe the underside of the toilet seat and around the bolts/hinges.

Living Room / Lounge Checklist

• Dust all surfaces (including behind TV)
• Clean coffee table + shelves
• Wipe skirting boards + door frames
• Vacuum sofa cushions + under cushions (crumb check)
• Clean windows + sills
• Vacuum/mop floors
• Remove marks from walls where furniture was

Bedrooms Checklist

• Clean wardrobes inside/out (top shelf too)
• Wipe bedside tables/drawers inside/out
• Dust and wipe skirting boards + door frames
• Clean mirrors + windows
• Vacuum/mop floors
• Check under the bed area (dust bunnies love it)

Hallway / Entryway Checklist

• Clean front door inside (and glass panel if any)
• Remove scuffs from walls (common here)
• Wipe light switches/handles
• Vacuum edges + doormat area
• Mop floor

Utility / Laundry Area Checklist (If Applicable)

• Clean washing machine seal + detergent drawer
• Wipe dryer filter + exterior
• Clean utility sink (if present)
• Wipe shelves, cupboards, and surfaces
• Mop floor

Extras Landlords Commonly Check (Don’t Skip)

• Inside all cupboards and drawers (crumb-free)
• Behind and underneath appliances (if movable)
• Tops of doors and door frames (dust line)
• Light fixtures and lamp shades (dust)
• Radiators and behind them
• Bin area (bins empty + wiped)
• Balcony/patio swept (if included)

Final Walkthrough: The “Looks Professionally Clean” Test

Do this before handing keys back:

• ✅ Turn on lights and look from different angles (streaks show up)
• ✅ Smell test (kitchen + bathroom especially)
• ✅ Touch test (sticky cabinet fronts are a giveaway)
• ✅ Photo everything after cleaning

Quick Tip: Split It Into a 1-Day Plan

If you’re doing it yourself, this order saves time:

1. Declutter + rubbish out
2. Kitchen appliances (longest jobs)
3. Bathrooms
4. Dust + wipe whole home
5. Floors last
6. Final walkthrough + photos

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