End of Tenancy Cleaning Guides
Eco-Friendly End of Tenancy Cleaning: Recipes That Actually Work
A handful of common household ingredients — vinegar, baking soda, lemon juice — cover most of what a move-out clean actually requires, without the harsh chemicals or the cost of a cupboard full of specialist products. Here's what to mix, and where it genuinely holds up against the commercial alternative.
The recipes
These cover most of what a full property clean needs, and every ingredient is cheap, widely available, and safe to store.
All-purpose cleaner
Equal parts water and white vinegar in a spray bottle, with a few drops of essential oil if you want a pleasant scent rather than a vinegar smell. Handles countertops, sinks and most general surfaces.
Glass & window cleaner
2 cups water, ½ cup white vinegar, ¼ cup rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle. The alcohol helps it dry faster and streak-free on glass and mirrors.
Baking soda scrub
Sprinkle directly onto sinks, tubs or stovetops, then scrub with a damp cloth or sponge. Good for lifting stains and general grime without scratching most surfaces.
Floor cleaner
½ cup white vinegar to 1 gallon of warm water, with a few drops of essential oil. Suitable for most hard flooring — check our hardwood floor guide first if you have wood floors specifically, since vinegar isn't ideal there.
Toilet bowl cleaner
½ cup baking soda with ¼ cup white vinegar, poured directly into the bowl. Let it sit a few minutes while it fizzes, then scrub with a toilet brush.
Mould & mildew remover
Equal parts white vinegar and water, sprayed directly onto affected areas. Leave for at least 10 minutes before scrubbing to give it time to actually work.
Best natural degreasers for the kitchen
Kitchen grease is where eco-friendly cleaning gets tested the most, and a few ingredients consistently perform well: undiluted white vinegar cuts through grease on stovetops and appliances effectively; a baking soda and water paste handles baked-on residue on ovens and stovetops through gentle abrasion; lemon juice breaks down grease while leaving a genuinely pleasant scent behind; and castile soap, a plant-based option, works well for both dishwashing and general degreasing. Combining vinegar and baking soda into a paste is usually the strongest natural option when a single ingredient alone isn't quite cutting it.
Is it actually as effective?
For the vast majority of a move-out clean, yes. Vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice have genuine cleaning and mild disinfecting properties, and they leave behind fewer residues and fumes than many commercial products — which also means better indoor air quality while you're cleaning. Where natural methods can fall short is heavily built-up grease or genuinely stubborn limescale that's been left for years rather than months; in those specific cases, a stronger commercial product or professional equipment may finish the job faster.
Disposing of old cleaning supplies properly
If you're moving out and left with half-used bottles of commercial cleaners, using them up is genuinely the most eco-friendly option rather than throwing them away unused. For anything you don't want to keep, check the label for disposal guidance first — most non-toxic, biodegradable products can go down the drain safely, while anything hazardous should go to a household waste recycling centre rather than general rubbish. Empty containers can usually be rinsed and recycled through your normal council collection.
Eco-friendly, without the DIY effort
Our end of tenancy cleans use eco-friendly products as standard, on every job — no extra charge, no compromise on results. Fixed prices from £115.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are eco-friendly cleaning products actually better for allergies?
Often, yes — they typically avoid the harsh fragrances and chemicals that trigger reactions, and lower VOC levels mean better indoor air quality, which particularly helps anyone with respiratory sensitivities.
Can I mix vinegar and baking soda safely?
Yes, this combination is safe and is actually the basis of several of the recipes above — the fizzing reaction helps lift grime rather than posing any risk.
Will eco-friendly products meet a letting agent's cleaning standard?
Yes, provided they're used properly and thoroughly. The standard that matters is the result, not which products got you there — a genuinely clean oven or bathroom looks the same either way.
What shouldn't I mix, even with natural ingredients?
Avoid combining vinegar with bleach — the reaction produces harmful chlorine gas. Stick to the specific combinations in tested recipes rather than mixing cleaning products on instinct.
Is it cheaper to make my own cleaning products?
Usually, yes. A bottle of white vinegar and a box of baking soda cost a fraction of equivalent commercial cleaners and cover most everyday cleaning tasks between them.