Winter can wreak havoc on rental properties, presenting a wide range of issues for property manager, from burst pipes to faulty heating and damaged floors to mould. Often, property managers are faced with increased workloads because of these issues.
However, your workload can be managed more efficiently through an effective post-winter deep cleaning regime. In this blog, we will share some post-winter deep cleaning tips from our Toronto condo cleaning experts to help you restore rental homes after a harsh winter.

Addressing Old Holiday Decor
Most properties have holiday decor restrictions that tenants and owners are expected to follow. This usually has more to do with safety concerns as opposed to aesthetics, although some luxury properties might be more strict on the types of decor allowed.
As the winter winds down, it’s important to take note of leftover holiday decor that presents safety and aesthetic issues, including wreaths or other decor items on unit doors, lights on balconies, and hall decorations that can present fire or tripping hazards.
Decorations hinder cleaning processes and should be removed as soon as possible. You can then assess walls and doors for damage from things such as nails, hooks, and adhesives that ruin the appearance of common areas and interfere with proper cleaning. Steps can then be taken to remove the damage and conduct a deep cleaning of these common area surfaces.
Cancelling Common Area Mat Services
Mat rentals help reduce the amount of water and debris, such as salt and sand, carried in on tenants’ shoes. This is an expensive but necessary investment to protect floors and common area carpeting from damage. However, the mats also hide dirt and damage on the flooring below, which can lead to unnecessary costs for repairs and replacement.
Cancelling common area mat services in a timely manner allows you to inspect floors and arrange for a deep floor cleaning throughout the property to prepare for the warmer weather ahead. Regular post-winter cleaning helps protect floors from damage and maintain their appearance.
Window Cleaning Services
Winter leaves behind streaks and other buildup on windows that obscures views and reduces daylight. As the days become longer, tenants want to leverage day lighting, which is a benefit for property managers as this reduces operating costs.
Calling in window cleaning services will create pristine views to improve occupant enjoyment, while allowing natural light will become the lighting of choice, improving energy efficiency.
Removing Pavement Stains
Winter winds can leave behind debris in areas such as parking lots, shared outdoor spaces, walkways, exterior steps, and more. Removal of this debris is critical to reduce trip and fall risks for tenants and visitors, as well as the risk of staining from plant debris such as leaves.
A thorough inspection of outdoor spaces will ensure all debris is removed and a deep cleaning (such as power washing) can be performed to remove staining and discolouration caused by salt, leaves, branches, newspapers, dye from discarded packaging, etc.
Deep Cleaning Carpets and Floors
As mentioned, despite your best efforts, winter boots carry debris throughout the building. A deep cleaning of hall carpets is essential to eliminate harmful debris such as salt and sand that can discolour fibres and make their way between the subfloor and carpet.
When this happens, the small granules can wear away the carpet backing, leading to issues such as holes. Carpets can also become loose when exposed to constant wet and dry conditions. A deep cleaning will protect the life of the carpet, improve its appearance, and keep halls smelling cleaner.
Flooring, including vinyl, wood, marble/stone, tile, terrazzo, etc., is tested in the winter. Proper cleaning and polishing are required to retain their appearance and remove damaging residue from salt and sand used for ice and snow removal.
Unit Cleaning for Winter Moves
Although tenants tend to prefer moving in the summer when the weather is warmer, winter moves still occur. Unit cleaning is essential in winter months to manage hygienic cleaning tasks such as deep cleaning of cabinets, appliances, and floors. Tenant turnover cleanings address all rooms and surfaces, including the following:
Bathrooms:
- Bathtub and shower enclosure
- Inside, out, and behind toilets
- Lights, mirrors, sinks, and countertops
- Wipe vanity inside and out
Kitchen:
- Inside fridge and oven
- Stovetop
- Fridge front (polished)
- Microwave (inside and out)
- Backsplash, countertops, and cupboard fronts
- Sink
Laundry Room:
- Clear air vent
- Clear lint trap
- Wipe washer and dryer
- Clean floors
Every room will also receive the following deep cleaning:
- Wipe switches and door knobs
- Vacuum and mop floors
- Wipe baseboards
- Wipe window ledges
Checking Vacant Units
With risks of frozen pipes bursting, infestations, and even squatters, vacant units should be checked regularly, including at the end of winter to ensure everything is secure. An inspection will reveal issues such as damaged window and door caulking/weatherstripping, leaks, faulty plumbing and electrical, security issues, and more.
There’s also a good chance you’ll have to hire a Toronto cleaning company for a follow-up cleaning to address common issues encountered with vacant units, including:
- GermBlaster cleaning to address mould and mildew
- Cleaning pest carcasses and feces left behind by rodents and insects
- Deep dusting of all surfaces, including light fixtures, baseboards, walls, and more
- Staining from condensation on window sills, counters, vanities, etc.
- Appliances that can stink from lack of use and cleaning
- Spotting damage from snow and ice (such as flooring issues from snow blown under improperly sealed doors or windows)
Attending to Tenant Complaints
Complaints that occur in the winter months could lead to a backlog that interferes with property management efficiency. Many of these issues can be addressed by professional cleaning services.
Deep cleaning can help address many common winter complaints, including some damage from leaks, mould related to leaks and condensation, feces from pests, and musty smells related to dampness and mould.
You can reduce your workload by partnering with a trusted cleaning company to handle cleaning issues. Such services can address post-winter cleaning in units, including tenant turnover cleanings, cleaning winter buildup in vacant units, and many of your winter-related tenant complaints.
Maid4Condos: Your Expert Cleaning Company in Toronto
To learn more about Maid4Condos’ cleaning company in Toronto, reach out today for a free online quote. You can also call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online.