On average, tenants in Queensland only received 74.2% of their bond money in 2020-21, according to the Queensland Government. Tenants often miss important high-touch areas during end-of-lease cleaning. The last-minute rush can make you forget essential details. Or maybe, the tenant wasn’t aware of the requirement. Missing out these areas can get you in trouble during the bond clean inspection. It tells the landlord you haven’t cared for his property as promised in the lease. Also, dirty light switches, bathroom tiles and greasy ovens will repel the next people who come to live there. This can lead to no bond return or deduction.
The Most Important High Touch Areas In End-of-lease Cleaning
26% of all end-of-tenancy disputes are primarily due to cleanliness issues; according to Tenants QuA, the major reason for not getting bond money back is that tenants often fail to clean high-touch areas properly. Make a note of the below surfaces and make sure to clean them properly:
Door Handles and Knobs
The condition of door handles and knobs summarises the cleanliness standards you maintained during your stay. So, real estate agents and landlords pay much attention to them.
You and other members of the house touch the door handles and knobs every day. They keep gathering fingerprints and oils from the skin. The accumulating dirt and oil creates an organic film on door handles where pathogens can thrive. This is why experts consider door handles one of the major means of indirect spread of infection.
Agents would consider it a sign of neglect if they find dirty door handles and knobs during a property inspection. This can create problems in getting your security deposit back. Here’s how you can quickly clean these important high-touch surfaces-
- Use a microfiber cloth to remove loose debris from the door handles. Research shows that using a microfibre cloth removes 10% more leftover dirt from the surface than other clothes.
- Add a few drops of dish soap to warm water to create a cleaning solution. Spray it on the door knobs and wipe thoroughly with a clean cloth.
- You should also pay attention to the back plates, hinges and the door frame while you’re at it. Use commercial wood cleaner for wooden frames.
- Touch up on brass and steel door handles with a metal polish. This adds a shine to the handles and creates a good impression on the landlord.
- Use lemon and salt to clean rusty door handles. Cut the lemon in half and sprinkle salt on it. Then use it to rub the rusty area clean, The lemon’s acid and the salt’s abrasiveness will do the trick. However, you’ll need a commercial rust cleaner for stubborn rust.
- Buff dry after cleaning. Otherwise, there will be watermarks on the door knob.
Electrical Switches
These are the second most important high-touch areas during a final inspection. If the switches are unclean, it shows you did not take the end-of-tenancy cleaning seriously. You use them constantly throughout the day. This keeps transferring dirt and oil to the switches. Over time it builds a layer of grime. Plus, wear and tear over the years can make the switches loose, broken and dysfunctional.
If you haven’t cleaned them in a while here’s what you can do-
- Turn off the power at the circuit breaker to stay safe from electrocution injuries.
- Wipe the switches with a dry lint-free cloth. Then wet another clean cloth in a soap-water or water-vinegar (1:1) solution. Clean the switches thoroughly with the moistened cloth. Don’t oversaturate the switchboards.
- You might have to pay extra attention to switchboards in the kitchens as they get especially greasy.
- The tight crevices around the switches accumulate dirt too. This can make it hard for the switch to move and render it dysfunctional. Use a cotton bud or soft brush to reach those areas. You might dampen the cotton bud for better results. A handheld vacuum with gentle suction can also help.
- Do not spray water directly on electrical switches. Also, ensure they are completely dry before turning the power on.
- The typical electrical light switches have a life expectancy of several decades. So, replace any broken switch especially if they were relatively new at the start of your tenancy.
- Pay attention to the handles of the drawers, cupboards and kitchen cabinets too.
Taps
Taps are regularly exposed to wet, soapy, and dirty hands. Taps might get a layer of soap scum over them due to this. Meanwhile, mineral-rich water can lead to hard and chalky limescale deposits. Kitchen faucets are more likely to have a greasy grime buildup. All taps in the home are vulnerable to water marks and rust.
Start with a fully dry-wiped handle. Then spray a bathroom cleaner or equal parts water-vinegar solution on the tap. Scrub it using a non-scratch sponge or toothbrush to get rid of the watermarks, scum or grime.
For stubborn stain removal, like limescale deposits, use baking soda. Mix only enough water with a generous amount of baking soda to create a thick paste. Apply it to cover the tap, its base and joints with the paste. Leave it there for at least to 15 minutes to several hours depending on the degree of stain. This also works for removing moderate rust.
Cleaning the taps can be challenging, but you have to do it to pass the cleaning inspection. If the taps are rusty, unclean, or have stains on them, you may not receive the full bond refund.
Kitchen Appliances Handles
Kitchen appliance handles collect fingerprints, grease, and grime quickly. During bond cleans, you’ll want to focus on these high-touch areas to make them spotless. Handles on the fridge, microwave, oven, and dishwasher need special attention to remove any sticky residue. Wipe them down thoroughly and polish them to restore their shine. Clean, residue-free handles will make a strong impression on property inspectors.
Countertops and Tabletops
Countertops and tabletops quickly collect dust, stains, and crumbs. These surfaces are high-touch areas that your property owners will inspect after bond cleaning. Make sure to wipe them down to remove any sticky residue, water rings, or food marks. Pay close attention to corners and edges to remove hidden grime. Spotless surfaces will make a good impression on inspectors.
Toilet Flush
A healthy person needs to go to the toilet 4-6 times to empty their bladder, according to the Continence Foundation of Australia. A dirty toilet flush handle shows the tenant’s lack of attention to hygiene. People touch these handles several times daily after using the toilet. So, it’s one of the most likely areas to harbour bacteria. Soap scum and hard water marks can also make it dirty. So, obviously, there will be an inspection on the toilet if you have cleaned it properly or not. Don’t miss to clean it thoroughly. You can use vinegar solution or baking soda paste along with a toothbrush to clean and scrub the flush handle.
Stair Railings
People frequently touch the stair railings for balance. This leaves skin oils, fingerprints and sweat on the railings. That along with the accumulation of dust particles leads to the build-up of sticky film over time. Not cleaning this high-touched surface will surely harm your impression. Your landlord might not want to return the full bond money because of the stains or hand prints. Dry-wipe the railings and clean well with a cloth soaked in soap water. You might also apply a wood polish (for wooden railings) afterwards to rejuvenate the look.
Carpets
From their years of experience and expertise, landlords and property managers are aware of high-touched and commonly dirty areas. Since carpet is one of them, it’s very unlikely for them not to inspect or look for stain marks, dirt, and mould in them. And if any trace of stain is present, there can be a deduction from your bond money. To prevent this, deep clean carpets to eliminate all visible dirt, dust, and odours. If needed, take professional help as they can help through deep cleaning methods like steam cleaning, hot water extraction, etc. Clean carpets will help you impress the property manager.
Windows
Your windows can show grime and handprints when not cleaned regularly. The window sills, blinds and curtain cords can also have smudges and marks from touching. Pay special attention to the windows during end-of-lease cleaning.
Damp a cloth in a soap-water solution to clean the handles and locks. Vacuum the window tracks and sills to remove dust and debris. Use a glass cleaner for window cleaning to get a streak-free finish.
High Traffic Areas
These are the areas which the hands might not touch regularly, but the feet do. These are floors, walls and skirting boards in the entryways, hallways and living room.
During a flooring inspection, the landlords will check the carpet for dirt and stains. If these areas are not cleaned, you will lose bond money. Professional carpet steam cleaning shall give you the best results here. Friction with shoes, bags or furniture can leave scuff marks on the walls. You can clean them using an eraser sponge.
Take Professional Help for Cleaning High Touch Areas
High-touch area cleaning is getting more popular. It has grown by 4.7% between 2019 and 2024, according to the IBIS World. Professional cleaners know how to handle these areas properly. They use special tools and methods to ensure thorough cleaning. This reduces the risk of spreading germs and keeps the environment safe. With their professional bond cleaning checklist, they ensure every area, including the high-touched ones, is thoroughly cleaned.
Final Words
There is no alternative to regular vacuuming and dusting during the tenancy. This will save you from the last-minute rush of bond cleaning. You will also not miss any of the important high-touch surfaces. However, if you haven’t maintained a clean home up till now, professional cleaners can help. Eco Cleaning Brisbane is an excellent option for those living in the Brisbane area. Our experts are aware of every essentials of bond cleaning. So, not a single one of the important high-touch surfaces will be left out. We also deep cleaning services for carpets and upholstery. With our assistance, your bond cleaning will be much faster with better results. So, contact us today.
