Cleaning tips for students
During the past year cleanliness and hygiene has been brought to the forefront of our minds more than ever, and although most of us appreciate a clean living space (we hope!), keeping it that way is not exactly the most thrilling of tasks - not unless you happen to find cleaning therapeutic, anyway.
Whether you live alone or share accommodation with a number of other students, one thing that can help and ensure everyone chips in and plays their part is a cleaning rota. This can save arguments as it should be easy to see at a glance who's due to clean what at any time.
If all housemates dislike cleaning chores in equal measure there is a second option, which is involves everyone contributing towards the costs of a cleaner. Of course, as housemates you'd have to discuss this and come to an agreement. To keep cleaning costs as low as possible you could consider opting to only have communal areas professionally cleaned, perhaps on a bi-weekly basis.
It's worth noting that you'll not only benefit from a better living experience by keeping your living space clean, but you'll also ensure your landlord remains happy with the state of the property throughout your tenancy. This ultimately means you'll be far less likely to incur charges during the checkout process.
Below are some of the key rooms and items you should keep on top of:
The kitchen
Fridge - As the home of all fresh food it's vital you clean the fridge on a regular basis and empty if of any food that's on the turn to keep the growth of mould and bacteria at bay. The door seals, shelves and walls of the fridge should all be thoroughly cleaned with soapy water or appropriate cleaning products.
Freezer - Stocking up on frozen microwave meals may seem like a good idea to the financially savvy student, but it's important you and your housemates don't overfill the freezer as it can result in an ice build up. The same can happen if the door is accidentally left ajar for a long period of time. If ice does begin to build up a considerable amount, you'll have to defrost the freezer.
Oven and hob - Grease and other food debris can quickly build up into a sticky substance within the oven and in between and across the hobs, but fortunately there are plenty of oven cleaner products specifically designed to leave these kitchen appliances clean and sparkly.
Worktops and floors - Failing to keep worktops and floor areas clean can attract all types of vermin and nasty odours, especially in the kitchen, so be sure to wipe down and mop all surfaces on a very regular basis.
The living room
Carpet stains - Stains on the carpet, usually from beverages like coffee or wine, is one of the more common reasons for a landlord to want to withhold some of a tenant's deposit at the end of a tenancy. To avoid a charge for this sort of damage to a property, make sure you deal with any spills immediately to have the best chance of limiting or even avoiding damage entirely. Always keep some universal stain remover at hand to deal with this sort of emergency.
Walls - You should also check with your landlord when it comes to putting things on the wall so that you're aware of what's ok and what's not ok. Don't just use blu tack thinking it'll be fine because you're not drilling or banging holes into the wall - blu tack can leave greasy marks that your landlord is unlikely to appreciate once they are found at the end of the tenancy.
The bathroom
Shower and bath outlets - Hair can quickly build up around shower and bath outlets causing small blockages. It's unsightly and not the nicest of jobs having to fish it out once enough has built up, so keep on top of it by clearing the outlets every now and then with rubber gloves and, if required, some drain un-blocker.
Toilet - Regularly using bleach in and around the toilet basin will fight off germs while keeping it looking and smelling fresh. Don't forget to regularly give the rest of the toilet a thorough clean as well, including the seat, outside of the basin and the floor surrounding the toilet. If you live in a property with several students all using the same toilet it may be a case of giving it a daily clean.
Walls and ceilings - A lack of ventilation is a very common cause of mould on walls and ceilings due to condensation. To combat this ensure there is plenty of ventilation in each room by occasionally opening the windows and running any extractor fans that there may be. This will reduce moisture in the air and limit the build up of mould. In particularly bad cases you could try purchasing a dehumidifier.
Following these tips should go some way to helping ensure your student accommodation remains as clean and as clear from unwanted germs as possible, while also keeping your landlord happy as they'll expect you to leave the property in the same condition it was when you first moved in.
Are you looking for student accommodation in Cardiff that ticks every box? If so, get in touch with our student property experts here at CPS Homes to learn more about how we can help. Call us on 02920 668585, e-mail enquiries@cpshomes.co.uk or pop into one of our three Cardiff branches.
The information contained within this article was correct at the date of publishing and is not guaranteed to remain correct in the present day.
