I am having to evict the tenant need to know best shower,bathroom cleaners and other advice on cleaning rental property

Question

Need best shower cleaners,bathroom cleaners. I am about to evict a tenant and I need the best advice I can get for cleaning projects I don't want to waste my time or money on items that don't work. I have a 5 bedroom house that will need cleaning from top to bottom. Thanks for any and all advice.

Sherrie · Answer

The very first thing I do before i do anything is check for bugs. i also check for bed bugs. because if you don't and it is infested you will have to re-clean it or you will take it home with you. Take light fixtures covers down stick in dishwasher, turn on or spray down the oven cheapest dollar store oven cleaner is the best. Bathrooms depends on how bad the toilets are not to bad then use toilet bowl cleaner make sure it has muriatic acid. If they are filthy empty the water out use muriatic acid to clean the toilet. Paint it on open a window use a mask, keep painting it on until its clean. Vacuum out all the drawers and cabinets. Then spray cabinets inside and outside with mean green. Hot water to scrub them and dry. I spray down the showers and tubs with a heavy duty bathroom cleaner. I buy commerical from a janitorial supply house. I don't get it on metal! It will etch and discolor it. I always bring duct tape and trash bags to protect the metal before I spray it. I use magic erasers. If it isn't horrible use regular bathroom cleaner. If it is body oil on the tubs and showers dawn dish soap and a magic eraser, the spray it down again with bathroom cleaner and re- clean. I also start at the room that is furtherest from the front door. I clean from the top down to the bottom. Dusting cleaning baseboards. Carry trash bags with you. I have a window squeegee I use this for windows, showers, glass. ( Lowes has heavy duty ones that last a lifetime). I clean the inside and outside windows if the windows work that way. I also vacuum each room as I do it. I have a backpack vacuum. I can use the hose to clean webs off the ceiling and every little crevice in the rooms. Drawers, cabinets. A vacuum with a hose will work. Kitchen I also turn off the refrigerator take everything out so the glass warms up to room temperature. It is easier to clean when it's warm. If there is glass it shouldn't break. It's not so much about cleaners it's about elbow grease. Lawn and leaf bags for trash, I also can cut them up to protect things I don't want damaged like metal. Window squeegie, fast work for windows, mirrors all glass. Microfiber clothes scrubbing, magic eraser, muriatic acid for horrible toilets if they have hard water build up, drying towels, vacuum with a hose. Saves time makes your work easier. Check for bugs, the works toilet bowl cleaners ( has acid) hard water build up for showers. Dollar general. Bleach spray. For bleaching bottom of showers. Check for bugs first, including mites. I have cleaned for rental companies, including government and state rentals. If you need more help let me know.

Cindy · Answer

Sherrie your advice is priceless to me and I thank for your quick reply we still have a 30 day waiting period before we get a court date for the legal process of the eviction. Any information you think of and don't mind sharing with me will be very much appreciated even if it is just a line or two or something minute I might not think of would be welcomed. This was 2 guys so I know they never cleaned by there party history so I am expecting the worst of the worse there was 1 cat so that could have caused some additional problems. There is no carpet all hardwood/tile/linoleum so that helps some. I have some health problems so I know this is going to be a major task for me I have done it in the past but the tenants always left on good terms and cleaned prior so it was no major cleaning just some replacing and minor cleaning. Plus the property is a hour away from where I live so that makes it more difficult as for as getting as much done as possible while we are there. I wish it would be affordable to hire this job out but unfortunately financially with my extreme medical bills and lack of rent for over 2 months and the extra expense of filing for eviction and paperwork that is not a option.

Angela · Answer

For a greener, inexpensive alternative, you can use can use an all purpose cleaner made from 1 part vinegar, 1 part water and a squirt of dish soap. Vinegar by itself will remove hard water buildup, rust and remove odors. To clean out drains, pour baking soda down followed by vinegar. Let it sit for 10 minutes then rinse with boiling water. For dry pet stains, saturate with vinegar and then cover with baking soda cover it with a plate and let it dry then sweep/vacuum it up. 1 part vinegar and 1 part blue dawn makes a powerful tub cleaner. I hope this helps, I write a blog on cleaning and provide many tutorials. You can check it out at http://angsays.wordpress.com

Angela · Answer

One more thing, an easy way to clean the microwave is to put a bowl of 1:1 water and lemon juice in there, turn it on high for 5 minutes. Let it cool for 5-10 minutes and wipe it clean.

Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com · Answer

If this is a rental property I would suggest that you hire a professional cleaning service and deduct the service as an expense. These folks can do amazing cleanups and fast. 
AS a prior property manager good luck on the lock out and eviction. It may take longer than you think.

Sherrie · Answer

There are a few things to prevent this again if you don't mind me suggesting it.
When you have a contract you also can state you will change the air conditioning and furnace filter monthly. It might be a long way to drive but it gives you freedom to check your house. I would also put I would replace outdoor light bulbs at the same time. The yard is another problem especially seeing if the front and back yard has been maintained. 
The neighbors. Older neighbors know everything. Make friends with home owners give them your phone number. They care what happens in the neighborhood. Give them gift certificates as a incentive it watch your house. They do care who lives in the neighborhood and they have a vested interest.
Also pay for trash service yourself and add it into the cost of renting, it helps.
I have had a cleaning business for a long time. I also have rental property. And had it destroyed. I am accountable in my State if they make Meth in my rental, beside cleaning several houses Meth has been made in it creates a nightmare for the home owner. Your more than welcome to message me I can give you a exact list of what to take with you. Woodbridge idea of hiring someone is a good one if you have the extra money for it. Ask if they have cleaned rentals before and references. I have insurance but not everyone does. But I cost more because of it. So if you can find someone trust worthy you could get by cheaper. My Email is lipstickandboots@icloud.com.

Sherrie · Answer

Vinegar is a wonderful cleaner but in a rental you clean differently then you do your home. People who rent want it clean, no past residue of the past tenant and sometimes rentals are nightmares. And it takes heavy duty cleaners and you have to use heavy duty chemicals to get them clean and vinegar won't cut water build up that has been building up for a year. Vinegar is a wonderful product when used the right way I love using it for certain cleaning in my own home! Great hints!

Merry D · Answer

Right, Sherrie, vinegar doesn't cut through heavy grease build up at all. Cindy, I'm sorry you have to go through this (been there and done that) but I might add some tips. Bring along some chemical gloves, which any store that sells paint stripper will carry, for each worker. Knee pads are recommended when you have to clean tubs and floors. A 6 -ft ladder to reach cabinet tops and light fixtures. Scrubbers, simple green old fashioned scrubbers. I like Mr. Clean erasers but on greasy build-up, they fall apart too fast. I used, quite literally, everything from vinegar to TSP on my cabinets , trying to cut through 6 years of caked on yellowed grease; the best product I found is called Krud Kutter. I also used a plastic paint scraping tool, get a couple of these, they are invaluable for getting into corners and crevices. If you are sensitive, get a few masks, simple air filter masks should do if there were no drugs in the home. (Otherwise you may need professionals.) Large lawn and leaf trash bags, lots of paper towels, rags (old towels you don't mind getting rid of), a few scrub brushes, bleach for the toilets, most cleaners have already been mentioned. Fans will help direct the air out of the home. If the house needs paint, and it probably will, I suggest at least a semi-gloss in neutral off-white so cleaning is easier. You can actually rent a paint sprayer for not too much and complete a small house in a day. Finally and most importantly: bring a sense of humor. You're going to need it!

Cindy · Answer

Sherrie did you get the email I sent to you yesterday?

Sherrie · Answer

Cindy I did and emailed you back and my phone number also. It is from Lip stick and boots. I know a odd name it's not porn....so check your spam folder. If not I will resend it.

Sherrie · Answer

I re-sent it ... let me know if you received it.

Sherrie · Answer

Merry D. I love Simple Green and I haven't tried Kurd cutter. It is now on my list!

Cindy · Answer

Sherrie I did receive it and I would like to say you wore me out by the 3rd paragraph...lol I have used the Krud Kutter it still took lots of elbow grease to get the job done but it is a good product. I want to thank you for all your advice and will be keeping in contact for general help & advice. I hope you have a wonderful day.

Gail Salminen · Answer

@Cindy thought of your post yesterday as I was cleaning my mothers tile in the kitchen. It is an old building and previous tennants used wax but never removed it so it had a lot of splotchy dirt spots. Mom tried to remove it but can't get on her knees so just created a sticky mess. Anyway I used scrubbing bubbles foam spray, just sprayed let sit for 5 minutes then used a nylon scouring pad. It came up with minimal effort - great stuff! Works wonderfully on bathrooms as well.

ANDI · Answer

I cannot remember where I got this from. One of the cleaning idea sites. I tried it on my son's bathroom and I was totally blown away. Spray the shower stall down, (the whole thing) with Easy Off Oven Cleaner in the blue can only. No fumes, no heat, etc. Has to be the blue can. Left it on over night. Rinsed it down with water and rag, if you don't have the second shower head like I do. Good luck

Arlie W · Answer

I've tried Easy Off Oven Cleaner too. It works. Mr. Clean Erasers are awesome too.

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