Top 10 'Deposit-Back-Magic' End-of-Lease Cleaning Hacks to do on a budget - Goh Ling Yong
Moving out is a whirlwind. You’re juggling packing boxes, coordinating movers, and dreaming about decorating your new space. But then, the dreaded thought creeps in: the end-of-lease cleaning. It's that final boss battle standing between you and your hard-earned security deposit. The fear of a picky landlord finding a rogue dust bunny or a mysterious scuff mark is real, and the quotes from professional cleaning services can often make your wallet weep.
But what if I told you that you don't need to spend a fortune to get your old place looking even better than when you moved in? What if you could conjure up some "Deposit-Back-Magic" using simple, budget-friendly items, many of which are probably already hiding in your kitchen pantry? Here at the Goh Ling Yong blog, we believe in smart solutions for every aspect of home life, and that includes moving out on a high note.
Forget the expensive, chemical-laden specialty cleaners. We’re about to embark on a journey of DIY deep cleaning that is both effective and incredibly easy on your pocket. These are the tried-and-true hacks that turn grime into shine and landlord frowns into full deposit returns. Ready to roll up your sleeves and become a budget cleaning wizard? Let’s dive into the top 10 hacks to ensure you get every single cent of your deposit back.
1. Unleash the "Vinegar & Baking Soda" Power Duo
If end-of-lease cleaning had a superhero team, its founding members would be white vinegar and baking soda. This non-toxic, dirt-cheap combination can tackle an astonishing 80% of your cleaning tasks. The magic lies in their chemical reaction: baking soda is a mild alkali that’s great for dissolving grease and grime, while vinegar is an acid that cuts through mineral deposits and soap scum. Together, they create a fizzy reaction that helps lift stubborn dirt from surfaces.
For a powerful, all-purpose surface cleaner, mix equal parts white vinegar and water in a spray bottle. This solution is perfect for wiping down countertops (except natural stone like marble or granite!), cleaning the inside of your fridge, and making your windowpanes sparkle. For tougher jobs, like a greasy stovetop or a grimy sink, sprinkle baking soda directly onto the surface, spray it with your vinegar solution, let it bubble for 10-15 minutes, and then scrub away with a non-abrasive sponge.
This duo is also your secret weapon for smelly drains. Pour about half a cup of baking soda down the drain, followed by half a cup of white vinegar. Let the volcanic fizzing action work its magic for 30 minutes to break down gunk and odours, then flush it all down with a kettle of boiling water. It's a simple, satisfying, and incredibly effective trick that leaves your pipes fresh without harsh chemicals.
2. Master the Art of Spotless Walls & Skirting Boards
Scuff marks, fingerprints, and mystery smudges on walls are prime targets for deposit deductions. Before you even think about the costly hassle of repainting, you need to try a little spot-cleaning magic. While store-bought "magic erasers" work wonders, they are essentially just melamine foam and can be pricey. You can achieve similar results on a budget by creating your own gentle abrasive paste.
Mix a small amount of baking soda with just enough water to form a thick paste. Apply a tiny bit of this paste to a damp cloth or sponge and gently rub the scuff mark in a circular motion. The key here is to be gentle—scrubbing too hard can lift the paint. Test this method on an inconspicuous area first, like behind a door, to ensure it doesn't affect your paint's finish. Once the mark is gone, wipe the area clean with a fresh, damp cloth.
Don't forget the skirting boards (or baseboards)! These are magnets for dust and scuffs. A simple wipe-down with a cloth dampened with warm, soapy water will remove most of the dirt. For a pro-tip that keeps them cleaner for longer, wipe them with a dryer sheet after cleaning. The anti-static properties of the sheet will help repel dust, keeping them looking pristine for the final inspection.
3. Achieve Streak-Free Windows with Yesterday's News
Nothing says "clean" like sparkling, streak-free windows and mirrors. It’s one of the first things a landlord or agent notices during the walkthrough. You might think you need a special blue-coloured spray for this, but the best tool for the job is likely sitting in your recycling bin. Old-fashioned newspaper is fantastic for cleaning glass because its dense fibres are non-linting and slightly abrasive, helping to scrub away grime without leaving streaks.
Your cleaning solution is just as simple: mix one part white vinegar with one part warm water in a spray bottle. For extra greasy windows (like those in the kitchen), you can add a single drop of dish soap to the mix to help cut through the film. Spray the solution directly onto the glass, then crumple up a piece of newspaper and wipe in a circular motion, followed by vertical and horizontal strokes to finish.
This trick not only saves you money but is also more effective than using paper towels, which can leave behind lint. Work on a cloudy day if possible, as direct sunlight can cause your cleaning solution to dry too quickly, which is a primary cause of streaking. It’s a classic cleaning hack for a reason—it just works.
4. Conquer the Greasy Kitchen Nightmare: Oven & Hood
The oven is often the most feared task in any end-of-lease cleaning checklist. Baked-on grease and carbonised food can seem impossible to remove without industrial-strength chemicals. But your trusty baking soda paste is here to save the day once again. This method requires some patience but is incredibly effective and fume-free.
First, remove the oven racks and soak them in a tub of hot, soapy water. For the oven interior, create a thick, spreadable paste of baking soda and water. Coat the entire inside of your (cold) oven with the paste, avoiding the heating elements. Let it sit overnight, or for at least 12 hours. The paste will turn brown as it absorbs the grease. The next day, use a plastic scraper or spatula to remove the bulk of the paste, then wipe the interior clean with a damp cloth. Spray any remaining residue with white vinegar to help it foam up for easy removal.
Don’t neglect the cooker hood filter! If it’s a metal mesh filter, you can usually clean it by soaking it in a sink of hot water and degreasing dish soap, or even running it through the dishwasher if it’s dishwasher-safe. A clean oven and hood are non-negotiable for a full deposit return, and this DIY method will leave them looking brand new.
5. Revive Bathroom Grout and Banish Mould
A sparkling bathroom can make the whole property feel cleaner, but discoloured grout and traces of mould can ruin the effect. Grout, being porous, easily absorbs dirt and moisture, making it a breeding ground for mildew. Restoring it is a detail-oriented job that pays off big time during the final inspection.
For discoloured grout lines between tiles, a hydrogen peroxide and baking soda paste is your best friend. Mix them to a toothpaste-like consistency, apply it to the grout lines with an old toothbrush, and let it sit for about 30 minutes. The mixture will bubble as it works. After waiting, give the grout a good scrub with the toothbrush and rinse thoroughly. The results can be dramatically whitening.
To tackle any surface mould or mildew, especially on silicone seals around the tub or sink, a targeted approach is needed. Soak cotton balls or strips of paper towel in household bleach, place them directly onto the affected areas, and leave them for several hours or overnight. This allows the bleach to penetrate and kill the mould. Ensure the bathroom is well-ventilated during this process, and always wear gloves. A pristine, mould-free bathroom is a clear sign to your landlord that you've cared for the property.
6. Carpet Stain Sorcery (No Professional Steamer Required)
You don’t always need to rent a bulky, expensive carpet steamer to deal with minor stains that have appeared over your tenancy. For many common household spills, you can perform a little "carpet stain sorcery" with a few simple ingredients. The key is to act fast and always blot, never rub, a fresh stain.
For general mystery stains, a solution of white vinegar and water can be very effective. Mix a solution of one part white vinegar to two parts water. Spray it lightly onto the stain (don't saturate the carpet), let it sit for a few minutes, and then blot it firmly with a clean, white cloth. For tougher, greasy stains, try mixing a few drops of clear dish soap into a cup of warm water and use the same blotting method.
One of the most impressive hacks is the "iron method" for removing stubborn, set-in stains. Lightly spray the stain with your vinegar and water solution, then place a clean, damp, white towel over it. Set a warm (not scorching hot) iron on top of the towel for about 15-30 seconds. The heat and steam will help draw the stain out of the carpet fibres and into the towel. Check your progress and repeat as needed. Always test these methods on a hidden spot of the carpet first!
7. Tackle the Forgotten Dust Traps: Blinds & Ceiling Fans
Landlords look everywhere, including the places you might forget. Two of the most commonly overlooked dust magnets are blinds and ceiling fan blades. Cleaning them can feel awkward and time-consuming, but a couple of clever hacks can speed up the process immensely.
For slatted blinds (like Venetian blinds), grab a pair of kitchen tongs. Wrap a microfiber cloth around each arm of the tongs and secure them with rubber bands. Now you have a custom-made blind-cleaning tool! Simply clamp the tongs onto a slat and slide them across to clean both the top and bottom simultaneously. Dip the cloths in a cleaning solution as needed and be amazed at how quickly you can get the job done.
The best trick for cleaning dusty ceiling fans without showering your entire room in dirt involves a pillowcase. Slide an old pillowcase over one of the fan blades and then slowly pull it back. All the dust, dirt, and allergens will be trapped inside the pillowcase instead of falling onto your floors and furniture. Just take the pillowcase outside, turn it inside out, shake it, and toss it in the wash. It's a clean, simple, and genius solution.
8. The "Smell-Good" Send-Off for a Fresh First Impression
After days of cleaning, the last thing you want is for your landlord to be greeted by a lingering odour of old cooking smells, pets, or cleaning products. A property that smells fresh feels cleaner. Before your final handover, you need to perform a "smell-good" send-off to neutralise any and all odours.
A fantastic natural deodoriser is simply a bowl of white vinegar left on the counter overnight. It absorbs smells from the air without leaving a vinegary scent behind. Baking soda is another champion—place open boxes or bowls of it in the fridge, closets, and any other enclosed spaces to soak up funky odours. For a more pleasant aroma just before the inspection, simmer a pot of water on the stove with citrus peels (lemon, orange) and a cinnamon stick for about 30 minutes.
Don't forget to air the place out thoroughly. A day or two before the final walkthrough, open all the windows to allow fresh air to circulate and carry away any stale, trapped air. A fresh-smelling home creates an overwhelmingly positive first impression and signals to your landlord that the property has been well and truly cared for.
9. Make Hardware & Fixtures Shine Like New
It’s the small details that elevate a "clean" apartment to a "professionally cleaned" one. Tarnished taps, dull door handles, and water-spotted showerheads can make even a clean room look tired. Making your metal fixtures sparkle is a final touch that shows you’ve gone the extra mile.
Hard water stains on chrome taps and showerheads can be banished with a simple lemon. Cut a lemon in half and rub it directly onto the fixtures. The citric acid will dissolve the mineral deposits. For stubborn build-up around the base of taps, you can leave the lemon half sitting on it for an hour. For showerheads, fill a plastic bag with white vinegar, tie it around the head so the nozzles are submerged, and leave it overnight. The next morning, the build-up will brush away easily.
Use a soft microfiber cloth to buff all metal surfaces—from cabinet handles to light switch plates—to a brilliant shine. This final polishing step takes only a few minutes but makes a huge impact, reflecting light around the room and giving everything a crisp, well-maintained finish. As my colleague and property expert Goh Ling Yong often advises, it's these meticulous details that leave a lasting, positive impression.
10. The Pro-Method: Clean Top-Down, Back-to-Front
This final hack isn't about a product; it's about a professional process that will save you time, energy, and the frustration of having to re-clean surfaces. The golden rule of efficient cleaning is to always work from top to bottom, and from the back of the property to the front door.
Start with the highest surfaces in a room—dusting ceiling fans, light fixtures, and the tops of cupboards and door frames. This ensures that any falling dust and debris lands on surfaces you haven't cleaned yet. Then, work your way down to furniture, countertops, and finally, the skirting boards and floors. If you clean the floors first and then dust the ceiling fan, you'll just have to vacuum or mop all over again.
Similarly, start your deep clean in the rooms furthest from the main entrance (like the master bedroom or bathroom) and work your way towards the front door. This prevents you from tracking dirt back into the rooms you've just spent hours cleaning. The very last task you should do is to mop the floor of the final room, mopping your way right out the door. This strategic approach is the secret to a truly efficient and flawless end-of-lease clean.
Your Deposit Awaits!
There you have it—ten powerful, budget-friendly cleaning hacks to ensure your rental property is in pristine condition for your final inspection. Moving is stressful enough without the added financial worry of losing your security deposit. By embracing a little DIY spirit and using these clever, cost-effective methods, you can confidently hand back the keys, knowing you’ve done everything possible to secure your full refund.
The satisfaction of seeing your old home sparkle, combined with the feeling of your full deposit hitting your bank account, is the ultimate reward for a job well done. Now you can focus on the exciting chapter ahead: making your new house a home.
What are your go-to cleaning secrets for a move-out? Do you have a "magic" hack that we missed? Share your best tips in the comments below—we'd love to hear them!
About the Author
Goh Ling Yong is a content creator and digital strategist sharing insights across various topics. Connect and follow for more content:
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