Cleaning

You'll want to keep your house clean to ensure you don't run into any problems on housing inspections or when moving out of your accommodation.

It's also important to keep your house clean and tidy to avoid mould in your accommodation.

8 top tips

1. Take out the rubbish regularly

Avoid a build up of rubbish in your home, and ensure your internal bins are emptied into your external bins on a regular basis. You'll want to make sure you're aware of planned waste collection dates for your area and leave bins out the night before your collection day. 

2. Clean the cooker / microwave after cooking

Food that has been left overnight is harder to remove. Use a damp cloth, and if needed, a kitchen cleaning product to remove food residue. You can also soak dried-on food and tough stains with a kitchen cleaner and use a non-scratch scouring pad to remove it effectively. Avoid using abrasive cleaning products and pads to prevent damage to kitchen appliances.

3. Fridge / freezers need to be defrosted to work properly

If ice builds up, unplug the fridge and use sponges to soak up the water as the ice melts. Once free of ice, wipe the inside clean and dry it. Plug in the fridge again. 

4. Wash up after eating

Avoid leaving dishes and pans in the sink overnight if you can. It's better to tackle the washing up the same day to avoid a build up of pots which can cause smells, make it more difficult to clean and requires more time and energy to tackle.  

5. Clean out baths / showers after use

Grime and dirt can build up in baths and showers after continual use. It's better to avoid a build up by cleaning them regularly. Simply use water, a cloth and a bathroom cleaning product to keep it clean. Remember to take hair out of plugholes to avoid blockages. 

6. Use a toilet brush and clean the toilet

If your family housing doesn't already have a toilet cleaning brush, you'll want to purchase one or more depending on how many bathrooms you have. You can find these online, or in nearby budget-friendly stores. You'll want to also purchase a good toilet cleaner, or you can use bleach.

7. Sweep or vacuum carpets and floors

You'll want to make use of sweeping brushes and vacuum cleaners to ensure the floors in your new home stay clean. Ensure any spillages are dealt with immediately to avoid stains that could end up costing you money at your end of tenancy inspection.

8. If you have a garden or gardens, ensure these are kept tidy

Your off-campus family housing may have a front garden and / or back garden. You're responsible for the maintenance during your tenancy. If you have grass, ensure it's kept cut, tidy and manageable.