DIY Bond Cleaning: A Smart Guide for Tenants
So, you are planning to clean your rental yourself before vacating it. Is it worth DIY bond cleaning, or are you risking your bond? Is professional help needed, or can it be taken all with some elbow grease? If you are asking these questions towards the end of your lease, you are not the only one. Many tenants here in Australia, most especially those on a tight budget searching for ways to cut costs during relocation, wonder if they can pull off a full bond clean on their own.
Costly as it may be, hiring cleaning services certainly gives one good assurance that the bond will be fully given back after the much fuss is made about the place being cleaned thoroughly. So, can you clean your rental by yourself and still pass the final inspection? Yes is the short answer, but not without some real effort, good planning, and attention to detail. This blog will take you through everything you need to know before picking up that mop and bucket for an all-out DIY bond clean.
Understanding What Bond Cleaning Means
Many tenants believe that it only requires them to leave the place neat, hence, they will be considered as having cleaned the property. But DIY Bond Cleaning or end-of-lease cleaning has a more detailed definition. It needs to be cleaned in every corner of the property according to what the landlord or real estate agent would consider living up to their standards. This means cleaning marks from walls, cleaning skirting boards, moving furniture out for cleaning under carpets, scrubbing bathrooms and kitchens to the last surface, dusting blinds to the last surface, not leaving a touch of dust on any one of them.
The whole approach is a thorough job and usually time-consuming. In order to set it right, the first step would be to get the checklist that your property manager will use in the inspection. This gives your path a very clear map of which areas need your full attention.
For official guidance on tenant responsibilities and cleaning expectations, you can refer to the Tenant Guide: Renting a Home in WA provided by the WA Government.
Why DIY Bond Cleaning Might Be Worth It
And, considering the above point, DIY bond cleaning would probably save the most money. Professional bond cleaners can prove to be quite pricey. The amount varies depending on the property’s size and further services required. A DIY bond clean can help you save cash, provided you have time, as well as bring significant savings if you do not spend much. It can be more than just saving money, as it also allows you to have full control over the process. You know which areas of the home were rarely used or require more effort, and you can schedule the cleaning over a few days instead of squeezing everything into a single session. That gives flexibility that makes the whole process feel much more achievable amid the chaos of moving.
But There Are also Some Cons
DIY bond cleaning is not all about the fun and savings; besides, it is backbreaking work and bigger than ever in terms of time spent, especially for homes that are used to regular deep cleaning. Depending on your rental property size and state, the washing process may take hours and, in some cases, days. You could be scrubbing grout on your knees, scaling ladders to clean ceiling fans, and hefting buckets and cleaning gear. Another downside is the risk. Professional cleaners will usually guarantee a bond back, which means they will return if the agent finds anything. If it were you doing the cleaning and something bad happened during inspection, you would either have to touch up your work or probably pay a cleaner later on, which pretty much defeats the purpose.
What You’ll Need for a Proper DIY Clean
Expect little to impress your agent or landlord unless you are armed with much more than a spray bottle and a cloth. Think vacuum cleaner, mops, microfiber cloths, buckets, ladders, and a wide range of cleaning products for each type of surface. Keep essential supplies ready—glass cleaner, all-purpose sprays, oven cleaner, and descalers for taps and showerheads. Use natural alternatives like vinegar and baking soda when possible. A magic eraser helps with tough marks on walls and tiles, and a grout brush makes bathroom cleaning easier. If your rental has carpets, rent a steam cleaner to give them a deep, fresh finish. Investing in the right tools early on can simplify your job and boost your chances of getting the full bond back.
How to Get Together with the Cleaning Business
While cleaning the rented premises, start with the areas that usually need the most attention—typically the kitchen and bathrooms. These rooms often face the closest scrutiny during inspections. Scrub away every trace of grease or grime from the stovetop, oven, range hood, and cupboards. Make sure no surface is left untouched. Clean thoroughly and proactively, ensuring everything sparkles before moving on to the next room. Limescale, mould, and soap scum in bathrooms. After wet areas, you’ll then go to clean bedrooms and living spaces.
Next, move on to tasks like window cleaning, vacuuming carpets, and dusting everything from blinds to ceiling fans. Don’t forget to remove marks from walls. Include often-neglected spots like corners, spouting, downpipes, and the tops of cupboard doors. These areas usually go unnoticed during regular cleaning. Also, check outdoor spaces such as balconies, garages, gardens, and patios—landlords often inspect these closely too. Your landlord could provide an excuse to nitpick on any left-out area for withholding part of your bond.
Maximise Your Bond Refund: Do It Yourself or Seek Professional Help?
To optimise your bond refund, compare your clean with the original condition report, take photos, and get a second opinion. If you have the time and equipment, cleaning is A plus-plus if done on your own. If you run short of time or have doubts about the quality of your cleaning, getting professionals might give you peace of mind.
Conclusion
DIY bond cleaning is an option if you have the commitment and an eye for detail. With the right equipment and a bit of patience, you can leave your rental spotless and significantly improve the odds of getting back your entire bond.
Also learn about Top 10 Benefits of Professional Maid Services You Didn’t Know
