Cleaning

The Kitchen: Managing Grease & Avoiding Pests

A dirty kitchen attracts unwanted visitors like mice, ants, and fruit flies, and can lead to food poisoning.

The Oven, Hob and Extractor Fan

This is the #1 area where students lose deposit money because it's neglected. When grease spills in a hot oven, it bakes on and becomes incredibly hard to remove.

Wipe up spills on the hob as soon as it cools down. Every month, use a dedicated oven cleaner. Spray it, leave it to do the hard work, and wipe it away.

Be sure to clean the extractor hood above the hob regularly- it won't function properly otherwise, and grease build-ups can be a fire hazard.

The Fridge

Throw out expired food weekly before it rots and smells. Wipe down shelves with a damp cloth and soapy water if anything spills.

Bins & Rubbish 

Don't let rubbish pile up until the bin is overflowing. Empty the kitchen bin regularly, tie the bags securely, and place them in the outdoor bins. This is the single best way to prevent a pest infestation.

Washing Up

Don’t leave dirty dishes piling up in the sink for days. It creates bad odours, attracts flies and upsets your housemates. Try to do them daily.

The Bathroom: Defeating Limescale & Mould

Bathrooms get wet and humid, making them a breeding ground for mould and limescale if ignored.

Limescale

If you notice a hard, white, or chalky buildup around taps, showerheads, and tiles, that’s limescale (caused by minerals in the water). If left too long, it can ruin taps and block showers. It also creates a living environment for mould and bacteria.

How to clean it: Spray a bathroom or limescale-specific cleaner (or a mix of white vinegar and water) onto the area. Leave it for 10–15 minutes to break down the minerals, then scrub with a sponge and rinse.

Mould & Damp

Mould looks like black spots on ceilings, walls, grout, or window seals. It can cause respiratory and health issues so needs to be dealt with.

How to prevent it: Never turn off the extractor fan and make sure you open the window during and after a shower to let moisture escape. Leave the bathroom door open when not in use.

How to clean it: Wipe down shower tiles and glass regularly. If you spy black spots, use a mould-remover spray immediately before it stains the grout permanently.

The Toilet 

Give the bowl a squirt of toilet bleach once a week, let it sit, and use the toilet brush before flushing. If you don't do this, it will end up with a thick layer of limescale that is hard to remove without a lot of environmentally-unfriendly chemicals. 

 Remember to wipe down the seat and flush button with disinfectant spray.

Floors & Living Areas: Dust and Dirt

Carpets and Rugs

Dirt and dust settle deep into carpets. If left unvacuumed, the dirt gets ground into the fibres by your shoes, destroying the carpet.

Vacuum all carpeted areas at least once every week or two. If you spill a drink, blot it immediately with a paper towel—never rub it, as this spreads the stain.

Hard Floors (Tiles/Laminate)

Kitchen and bathroom floors get sticky and dirty quickly.

Sweep or vacuum first to get rid of crumbs and hairs, then use a mop with hot water and floor cleaner.

Dusting

Dust is made of dead skin, hair, and outdoor dirt. It can trigger allergies and asthma. Use a damp microfibre cloth to wipe down desks, windowsills, and shelves every couple of weeks.