Living in a shared house offers many advantages, from reduced living expenses to built-in social interaction. However, shared living also comes with the responsibility of maintaining a clean and healthy environment for all occupants. The cleanliness of communal areas is particularly important, not just for hygiene but for maintaining harmony among housemates. To ensure consistency and fairness, many shared households opt for professional cleaning services. But what exactly does standard shared house cleaning include? This article explores the comprehensive elements of such a service and why it matters.
Understanding Shared House Dynamics
Shared houses can vary greatly in size and occupancy, from two-bedroom flats shared by students to large properties divided between multiple tenants. Despite these variations, the communal spaces in all shared houses require regular and thorough attention. Kitchens, bathrooms, hallways, and lounges are high-traffic areas where dirt accumulates quickly, and individual cleaning habits often differ, leading to potential disputes if not properly managed.
Professional cleaning in shared housing ensures impartiality and helps preserve the condition of the property. It also contributes to a healthier living space by tackling bacteria, allergens, and mould in places where everyday users might not clean effectively. For landlords, regular cleaning reduces long-term maintenance costs and helps retain tenant satisfaction and retention.
General Scope of Standard Cleaning Services
A standard shared house cleaning typically focuses on the communal areas rather than private bedrooms unless explicitly included. The cleaning service may be scheduled weekly, fortnightly, or monthly depending on the agreement, with the frequency affecting how deep each session is. Regardless of the timing, the core objective remains the same: to maintain a clean, tidy, and hygienic environment that supports comfortable cohabitation.
The service usually includes dusting, vacuuming, mopping, disinfecting, and rubbish removal across all communal areas. More specifically, let us break down what is covered in each section of the shared house.
Kitchen Cleaning
The kitchen is one of the most used and mess-prone areas in any shared house. A standard cleaning service in this space involves wiping down all countertops, cleaning sinks, scrubbing cooker hobs, and sanitising surfaces where food is prepared. External cleaning of cupboards, drawers, and kitchen appliances like microwaves, kettles, and toasters is also performed.
High-touch areas such as fridge handles, light switches, and drawer pulls are given particular attention due to their tendency to accumulate germs. If included in the service agreement, cleaners may also clean the interior of the microwave and fridge, remove expired food items, and disinfect rubbish bins. Cleaning kitchen floors, especially in corners where crumbs and spills hide, is another critical task.
Bathroom and Toilet Cleaning
Shared bathrooms are another area that demands rigorous cleaning. A standard service will disinfect toilets, sinks, showers, and bathtubs using appropriate anti-bacterial products. Mirrors are polished, tiles are wiped down, and any signs of mould or mildew are addressed. Cleaners also tackle soap scum build-up, watermarks, and limescale, especially in high-use bathrooms.
Floors in bathrooms require special attention due to moisture accumulation, which can harbour bacteria. Grout lines, drain covers, and taps are also cleaned to restore hygiene and shine. Toilet brushes and holders, often overlooked, are disinfected or replaced if necessary, maintaining a professional standard of cleanliness.
Living Room and Lounge Areas
If the shared house includes a communal lounge or living room, this space is usually dusted, vacuumed, and tidied. Upholstered furniture is vacuumed where possible, and cushions are fluffed and rearranged. Tables and other flat surfaces are wiped, and any clutter such as magazines or remotes is neatly organised.
Light fixtures, baseboards, and window sills are dusted, and fingerprints or marks on walls or switches are removed. Curtains and blinds may also be dusted depending on the service level. This area is restored to a clean and inviting space where housemates can relax or entertain visitors without embarrassment.
Hallways, Staircases, and Entryways
These transitional spaces often accumulate dirt quickly due to foot traffic and are frequently neglected by occupants. Cleaners vacuum carpets or mop floors, wipe down banisters and handrails, and remove dust from skirting boards. Door mats are shaken out or replaced, and entry doors are cleaned to remove fingerprints or outdoor grime.
Special attention is also paid to corners and hard-to-reach areas where cobwebs and dust gather. Well-maintained hallways not only improve the visual appeal of the home but also contribute to a sense of cleanliness and order throughout the property.
Waste Management
Rubbish disposal is a practical aspect of shared house cleaning that cannot be ignored. Bins in kitchens and bathrooms are emptied, disinfected, and relined. Cleaners ensure that all waste is sorted according to local recycling policies and that no trash is left to attract pests or cause unpleasant odours. If the property has outdoor bins, these may also be cleaned or checked for overflow issues.
Managing waste regularly is essential to preventing disputes among housemates and keeping pests such as mice or insects at bay. A neglected bin area can quickly turn into a hygiene hazard, especially in properties with more than four or five occupants.
High-Touch Surface Sanitisation
In any shared living environment, certain surfaces are touched more frequently and by multiple people. These include light switches, door handles, remote controls, thermostats, and taps. During a standard clean, these areas are sanitised to minimise the spread of bacteria and viruses.
Especially in the wake of increased hygiene awareness, professional cleaners are trained to prioritise these contact points. It not only reduces the risk of illness but also reinforces the perception of cleanliness and care among housemates.
Optional Extras
While standard cleaning covers the essentials, many professional services offer additional options that can be added to a shared house cleaning package. These may include interior window cleaning, carpet shampooing, oven deep cleaning, or steam cleaning of bathrooms. These extras are usually scheduled less frequently but are invaluable in maintaining the property long-term.
Some services also provide consumable replenishment, such as restocking toilet paper, bin bags, or cleaning sprays. This can be especially useful in student accommodations or professional house shares where the division of such responsibilities often becomes contentious.
Frequency and Scheduling
The frequency of cleaning significantly impacts both cost and cleanliness standards. Weekly cleans tend to be more superficial but keep the property consistently tidy, while fortnightly or monthly cleans require deeper cleaning to remove built-up dirt. Most professional services will advise on the ideal schedule based on the number of occupants and the general usage of the property.
Timing is also key. Cleanings are typically scheduled during working hours when the property is least occupied, minimising disruption. Some services offer weekend or evening slots for maximum convenience. Regular communication between cleaners, tenants, and landlords ensures the service remains consistent and adaptable to changing needs.
Standard shared house cleaning is a comprehensive service designed to maintain hygiene, harmony, and comfort within communal living spaces. From kitchen counters to bathroom tiles and hallway carpets, every area contributes to the overall wellbeing of the occupants. Professional cleaning not only helps prevent health risks and property damage but also plays a role in improving relationships among housemates.
