When you’re living in a rental home, there are different standards of home maintenance compared to homeownership. While you may have to ask permission to change the house or follow specific rental guidelines, keeping your home clean and pristine takes additional effort.

So here are some unexpected simple tips to keep your rental home clean. From dusting off the tops of the cabinets to wiping down doors, you’ll be able to get your security deposit back.

Clean Out the Pantry and Fridge

When you live in a rental home, the appliances and cabinetry are what you get. You can’t simply switch out the fridge for a new one or replace the cabinets unless the landlord needs to. So to keep your rental looking good, clean out your fridge and pantry from time to time.

Simply take out everything and wipe down the surfaces with disinfectant cleaner. You’ll remove years of bacteria, dust, and smudges that you’d never expect. When you do so, you’ll help your fridge and pantry to last longer.

Mop and Polish Hardwood Floors

One of the most straightforward tips to keep your rental home clean is to mop and polish your hardwood floors. After years of rotating residents living in the same house, bacteria and buildup have likely accumulated.

Mopping and polishing your flooring will refresh its overall look and remove the years of gunk worn into it. So if you need to clean prefinished hardwood flooring, you can mop it with appropriate wood cleaner and then buff it with the preferred polish for a luxurious shine.

Dust Tops of Cabinets and Shelves

While you may dust your home every few weeks, just think about how much dust has become neglected on top of your fridge and shelves. Take a microfiber cloth and give the top of your appliances a good wipe down to remove dust bunnies and dirt. You’ll be surprised to see how much has sat there for years.

Wipe Down Walls and Surfaces

Perhaps you have walls covered with years of scuffs, markers, or dirt from previous residents. The same goes for countertops, kitchen and utility room appliances, mirrors, and doors.

So take a moment to wipe down surfaces with disinfectant cleaner, glass cleaner, and stain remover. Soon, you’ll have a fresh-looking wall and sparkling, clean appliances and mirrors.

Who knew that a bit of elbow grease could do so much for a home? Getting the most out of your rental can save you money on replacement and give you a good reputation with your landlord.