A Renter’s Guide To Eco Friendly Cleaning Before Moving Out In Victoria

Vacating a rental home in Victoria is more than just packing up your bags and handing over the keys to your landlord. Renters have a bigger responsibility when it comes to passing the final rental inspection. They must return a property in a 'reasonably clean' condition, except for fair wear and tear.

To tackle stubborn stains and grime, tenants often end up using strong or harsh cleaning products that are readily available in supermarkets. Unfortunately, these products are laden with hazardous chemicals and toxic fumes, leading to indoor air pollution, potential health hazards and greenhouse gas emissions. To maintain a greener, cleaner planet, focus on using eco friendly practices for a budget end of lease cleaning Melbourne when moving out of your rental home.

Fret not! Here a complete eco friendly cleaning guide for responsible renters in Victoria to safeguard both the environment and their bond money. Making smart choices (sustainable ones) can do wonders if used properly. You can easily restore the dirt laden property to a spotless shine without overspending hard earned money on chemical based cleaning products.

Let’s Get Started!

1. What are the Benefits of Eco Friendly End of Lease Cleaning?

Switching from traditional cleaning practices to much needed green cleaning has numerous advantages for renters, landlords and the entire ecosystem.

Promotes Good Health:

Conventional cleaning products contain ammonia, and other harmful chemicals that can trigger allergies and respiratory disorders, but eco friendly alternatives like vinegar help you restore a safer, hygienic and germ free property, ensuring good health and hygiene.

Protects the Environment:

Excessive use of store bought products when dislodging stains releases toxic fumes into the air and water, causing harm the entire ecosystem and wildlife. On the contrary, using green certified products reduces your carbon footprint, protecting the environment and non renewable resources for future generations.

Prevents Costly damage:

When using harsh chemicals to clean carpet stains or grease on wood, people tend to cause damage to the delicate surfaces. This can lead to hefty penalties after the final rental inspection. Ensure you use gentle, safe cleaning products to remove stains without damaging or discolouring the surface.

Leaves a Positive Impression on Landlords:

When you make eco conscious cleaning decisions to maintain a clean and healthier living environment, it creates a positive impression and encourages landlords to release your bond without any disagreement.

Cost Efficient:

Unlike traditional stain removers and disinfectants, eco friendly cleaning products are affordable. Key ingredients are readily available in your kitchen pantry, such as vinegar or salt, to prepare an effective carpet cleaner or degreaser.

2. Invest in Eco Certified Cleaning Solutions

Are you preparing for your final rental inspection? Grab some of the most reliable green certified cleaning products stocked in supermarket aisles. Check the label to make sure they don't contain VOCs or other harmful chemicals. These products must comply with rigorous environmental criteria set by ECOS and GECA.

When choosing a professional end of lease cleaning Melbourne service, request them to bring green labeled cleaning products for a greener and cleaner indoor environment.

3. How to Use Micorfibre Cloths for Dusting?

Replace feather dusters and single use dusting tools with a microfibre cloth to dislodge collected dust, dirt, pollen and cobwebs from a rental property. These are made from nylon, polyester, and polyamide fibres to trap tiny dust particles without damaging the surface.

Use a telescopic microfibre duster to access ceiling tops, walls, nooks and crannies. Dust from top to bottom, including light fixtures, fittings, window glass, blinds, and other hard surfaces.

Tip: It can also help you soak up liquid messes from carpets and delicate surfaces efficiently.

4. Prepare a Vinegar Based Solution for Stubborn Stains

You no longer need to use the hazardous ammonia based cleaning products to tackle rust, pet stains, ink, adhesive stains and other grime. Instead, use a natural alternative, i.e distilled white vinegar. It is an acetic acid that can help you achieve spotless windows, bathroom fixtures, fittings, a microwave, and a toilet seat without any damage.

Prepare a DIY solution by mixing liquid dishwashing soap with warm water, then apply it to almost all surfaces for a pristine shine to impress your landlord at the end of your tenancy. However, avoid using it on natural stone surfaces, such as countertops, marble floors, and granite and limestone.

5. Degrease and Deodorise with All Natural Baking Soda

In Victoria, property managers conduct a rigorous final rental inspection to check for dirt, dust and damage. Unfortunately, the majority of bond deductions are due to greasy kitchen appliances, sticky wooden cabinets, or unpleasant smells lingering in the home. If you want to treat buildup grease, grime and gunk naturally, use the power of baking soda. Here are some great hacks:

• Cut through the buildup of grease from wooden kitchen cabinets.
• Apply warm water and baking soda paste inside your oven (except for heating elements). This will break down the buildup of grease, burnt food particles and germs.
• Unclog your kitchen and bathroom drains and leave them fresh smelling
• Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda on your dirty carpets, then vacuum them the next day to banish lurking germs and lingering odours.
• Clean countertops, stovetops, marble floors, and tiles
• Remove stains, grime and smudges from painted walls and wooden furniture
• Sparkle tiles and grout lines
• Deodorise your refrigerator
• Mopping your floors with a baking soda solution

6. Tackle Mould and Mildew with Hydrogen Peroxide

Around 40-50% of households in Victoria have significant mould infestations due to high humidity. Neglecting mould stains can trigger allergies and even lead to structural damage. When preparing for the final move out, thoroughly inspect the dark and damp areas of your home, like a bathroom, basement walls, carpets, roofs, etc.

Next, spray the affected area with a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution and leave it for a few minutes. Scrub and tackle stains efficiently. Ensure the surface is dry to prevent regrowth.

7. Steam Clean Your Carpets and Upholstery

Unlike conventional carpet cleaning methods, which can be harsh on the environment, steam cleaning uses only water to dislodge embedded stains and germs. You can pre treat the surface with vinegar and remove heavy soil, stubborn stains and bacteria that are rooted deep inside the fibres.

If your rental agreement mandates a professional carpet cleaning because of pets, hire experts and get it cleaned professionally to secure your bond in Melbourne.

8. Opt for Sustainable Alternatives to Cleaning Tools

This includes reusable tools like an old toothbrush, bamboo brushes, natural sponges, magic erasers, microfibre mops, recycled plastic broom heads, glass spray bottles, etc.

By significantly reducing the use of plastic cleaning tools, you can contribute to a cleaner planet and healthier aquatic life, as around 11 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the ocean, affecting ¾ of Australian marine life. This will also help you save money.

9. Safely Dispose of Waste

Once you've cleaned your rental property, collect all the waste and dispose of it carefully to prevent greenhouse gas emissions. Follow Victoria's waste disposal guidelines and separate recyclables to reduce landfill waste.

10. Look for Eco Friendly End of Lease Cleaning Melbourne Services

You should focus on booking a bond cleaning company that strictly adheres to green cleaning practices in Melbourne. From using chemical free cleaning products to steam cleaning carpets, they pay attention to every single aspect to ensure a healthy and green indoor environment.

Plus, they know what real estate agents focus on during the inspection, helping you secure your full bond money.  Do your research, ask the necessary questions and make a well informed decision when hiring cleaning experts at the end of your lease.

Environmentally Friendly End of Lease Cleaning Tips for Renters

Wrapping Up

Embracing green cleaning practices when moving out of a rental home in Victoria makes a world of difference. It not only reduces your environmental footprint but also promotes healthy indoor air quality and a greener planet. This leaves a great impression on your landlord, helping you to pass the final inspection without any dispute.