End of lease business cleaning guide
Jul 18, 2024
End of lease cleaning guide for businesses
Our easy checklist to help leave your commercial space spotless
End of lease cleaning can be a daunting task, but it's essential to ensure you leave your commercial space in top condition to get your bond back, protect yourself from getting sued, and keep your professional reputation spotless.
Whether you're managing an office, retail space, or industrial site, following a systematic approach can make the process smoother. Plus, for large-scale cleanups, WM Waste’s commercial waste skip bins can help manage the waste efficiently.
How to do end of lease cleaning
Creating a cleaning checklist is the first step to an effective end of lease clean. Make sure you include the following areas:
Office and retail areas
Since these are the high-traffic areas where your staff and clients spend most of their time, you’re likely to find the most stains, dust, nooks and crannies that need to be cleaned. Be sure to:
- Dust ceilings, corners, lights and built-in furniture and features
- Mop hard floors
- Vacuum carpets
- Dust and vacuum curtains
- Wash and wipe windows and doors
- Collect all unwanted goods and cleaning waste for later disposal
Kitchens and break rooms
If you run a commercial kitchen, chances are that your spaces are already quite clean thanks to food safety standards and regulations. However, the heavy equipment, storage areas, staff break rooms, bathrooms and lockers mean that there are plenty of tight spaces that might need end of lease cleaning. You’ll need to:
- Scrub and polish all appliances
- Wash down all sinks and cleaning stations
- Wipe down all cupboards, cabinets, lockers and storage spaces
- Sanitise the floors
- Collect all unwanted goods and cleaning waste for later disposal
Bathrooms
Fortunately for you, most commercial bathrooms are designed with floor drains and taps specifically to make regular cleaning quick and easy for staff. Here’s what you need to do:
- Remove all disposables, such as toilet paper, toiler brushes and soaps
- Connect a hose to the wall tap and spray down the entire bathroom with water, then mop the water towards the drains
- Scrub down the toilets, showers, bathtubs, sinks and mirrors with a commercial cleaner
- Spray the walls and floors with a commercial cleaner, then hose down the area again for a final clean
Storage and warehouse spaces
The nature of long-term storage spaces and warehouses is that most goods can sit safely, out of sight and out of mind. That gives them plenty of time to collect layers of dust and debris, not to mention create safe hiding spots for bugs and vermin that’ll find their way into the cleanest of stockrooms. So when the time for end of lease cleaning comes around, remember to:
- Clear the warehouse of all unwanted goods, waste and, if possible, storage units and shelving
- Dry dust all remaining shelves, storage units, lighting fixtures and floors
- Mop and sanitise all surfaces
- Return any shelving or storage units that belong to the site back to their original location
Deep cleaning tips
When it comes to end of lease cleaning, depending on your lease it may require deep cleaning, paying attention to detail can make a huge difference:
- Kitchen/break room deep clean
- Oven and stove: Use oven cleaner and scrub thoroughly.
- Refrigerator: Empty, defrost, clean shelves and drawers.
- Cabinets and drawers: Wipe inside and out, removing any crumbs or residues.
- Bathroom deep clean
- Tiles and grout: Use a grout cleaner or baking soda paste.
- Shower and bathtub: Scrub with a powerful cleaner to remove soap scum and mildew.
- Fixtures: Polish faucets, showerheads, and mirrors.
- Office and warehouse areas
- Carpets: Consider professional steam carpet cleaning if needed.
- Walls: Remove scuff marks and consider touch-up painting.
- Windows: Clean inside and out for a streak-free shine.
Hiring professional end of lease cleaning services
Hiring end of lease cleaners can be a game-changer. Here’s why:
- Why hire professional services?
- Expertise and equipment: Professionals have the experience and tools for to conduct thorough end of lease cleaning services.
- Time-saving: Outsourcing cleaning can save you valuable time, especially if you're busy moving.
- Guarantees: Many services offer a satisfaction guarantee or bond cleaning service for bond-back assurance.
- What to expect from a service
- Comprehensive cleaning: Detailed end of lease cleaning of all areas, including hard-to-reach spots.
- Customisable packages: Options to add on extra end of lease cleaning services like carpet cleaning or window washing.
- Eco-friendly options: Some services use environmentally friendly cleaning products.
How to choose an end of lease cleaning service
Choosing the right professional cleaning service is crucial:
- How to choose a service
- Research: Look for reviews and testimonials for professional cleaning services.
- Compare prices: Get quotes from multiple services to find the best value.
- Check credentials: Ensure the service is licensed and insured.
- Preparing for the cleaners
- Declutter: Remove personal items and any remaining belongings.
- Inform: Let the professional cleaners know of any specific areas that need extra attention.
- Access: Ensure the cleaners have access to all areas that need cleaning.
End of lease cleaning cost
Understanding the cost of end of lease cleaning can help you budget effectively.
Factors affecting cost
Your costs will have to factor in the scale and complexity of the space and the services you need. Here are some of those factors:
- Property size: Larger properties require more time and resources.
- Level of cleaning needed: The condition of the property and any special requests can impact cost.
- Additional services: Extras like carpet cleaning, window washing, or high-traffic area treatment.
Handling waste and rubbish
Efficient waste management is key to successful end of lease cleaning:
- Sort your waste
- Recyclables: Separate paper, plastic, glass, and metals.
- General waste: Bag up non-recyclable items.
- E-Waste: Properly dispose of electronics and batteries.
- Utilise WM Waste’s services
- Commercial waste bins: Ideal for large-scale cleanups in office or industrial settings. Learn more about their offerings on the commercial waste skip bins page.
- Hard rubbish collection: For items like furniture and large office equipment.
- Green waste: For garden waste, if you're responsible for maintaining outdoor areas.
Tips for dealing with property managers
Ensuring good communication with your property manager can make the end of lease process smoother:
- Inform early: Let your property manager know about your move-out date well in advance, so that they have time to provide information about their end of lease cleaning policies and guidelines.
- Follow guidelines: Adhere to any end of lease cleaning checklists or guidelines provided by the property manager.
- Document everything: Take photos before and after you complete end of lease cleaning to provide evidence of the property’s condition.
Final touches
Ensure your property is inspection-ready with these final steps:
- Inspection walkthrough
- Go through your lease cleaning checklist and ensure everything is covered.
- Fix any missed spots or minor issues.
- Freshen up
- Open windows to air out the property.
- Use air fresheners or essential oils for a pleasant scent.
Let us help you get rid of your waste and rubbish
For any end of lease cleaning needs, WM Waste’s commercial waste skip bins can be a lifesaver. Give us a call, and we’ll help you select the right bin for your needs. We’ll make sure it’s there when your clean-up begins and let you keep it for as long as you need.
