Cleaning Tips

Clean up and Avoid Damage and Cleaning Charges

No one wants extra fines on their account at the end of the year right? We got you. Here are some great ways to reassure you that you’ve done all you can to avoid getting charged:

Roommate Chats

  • Plan for who will clean what. Split up the areas to clean and decided ahead of time who will be responsible for each. Work together to make a consistent contract that outlines expectations.
  • What if your roommate moves out and leaves a mess?
    • Take pictures before you move out of what cleaning you did and how the unit was left upon your departure. If this is not done, we split charges between roommates. Send us an email at residence.housekeeping@ucalgary.ca. 
  • Residents will be billed for excessive or improperly disposed trash and left belongings that need to be moved.

Room Inspection Checklist

  • Your room will be inspected to ensure the following items are cleaned. Feel free to use this checklist as your personal checklist to make sure everything is covered.

Borrow a vacuum

  • Vacuums are stored in each residence for students to borrow. Check out the link below for more information and to fill out the form.

REPORT DAMAGES & MAINTENANCE ISSUES ASAP

  • If there are damaged items or maintenance issues in your room, make sure to submit an ARCHIBUS request before you leave. 

Recommended Supplies

  • Broom and dustpan
  • Mop
  • Cleaning clothes
  • Disposable gloves
  • Bathroom cleaner
  • Neutral general purpose cleaner
  • Window and furniture cleaners

Safety and Other Useful Tips

Do not mix store-bought cleaning products together

Mixing ammonia and bleach can create a deadly gas, but there are many other potential dangers. Commercial products are designed to be used by themselves, and if you mix them together you might get a very nasty (and possibly lethal) surprise.

Many of today's counter-tops, floors, and appliances require specialty cleaners

Using the wrong cleaner on a delicate surface can cause problems, even plain soap and water. When in doubt, ask.

Do not use abrasive cleaners or scrubbers

There are plenty of new products on the market specially designed for heavy duty tasks. Use of abrasive cleaners (e.g. powder cleaners) and metal scouring pads will only damage the surfaces leading to future maintenance and cleaning problems.

Vacuums are available at Residence Services

You can sign out a vacuum at Residence Services during regular hours. (not available starting August 1, 2020 until further notice)

Cleaning walls

Magic Eraser and a bit of water works wonders to clean marks and scuffs off of walls.

Remove stains as soon as possible

Remember to remove stains from carpets and upholstery as soon as possible. The longer you leave a stain, the more unlikely you are to get it off.

Common Areas

Housekeeping is provided seven days a week for all common areas in buildings (not units) including: 

  • academic lounges

  • common kitchen
  • community washrooms and public restrooms
  • elevators
  • fitness centre
  • laundry room
  • lobby and entrance
  • social lounges.

 

Fees for Extra Cleaning in Common Areas

It is expected that residents using common areas will do a general tidy and clean-up when they leave so that the area looks as it did before they used it. Cleaning charges will be applied to any situation not considered part of the regular housekeeping service. This includes but is not limited to the following list of what is considered 'abnormal' cleaning tasks:

  • Adhesive backed decorations/coloured putty/paint
  • Bodily fluids (blood, urine, mucous, feces, vomit)
  • Broken glass
  • Carpet and upholstery damage
  • Cigarettes and debris
  • Deliberate floods
  • Fire extinguisher debris
  • Food/trash left in sinks/water fountains
  • Graffiti
  • Liquid spills
  • Mud
  • Room trash in public areas
  • Unnecessary mess or damage

Improper Cleaning Fees

Your Responsibilities

The university holds each student accountable for loss or damage to property beyond normal wear and tear. Room property includes dressers, desks, chairs, appliances (e.g. stove, fridge), light fixtures, wall surfaces, floors, interior and exterior door surfaces, and windows.

  • Where damage occurs in a room shared by residents, the occupants of the room are equally responsible for a share of the damage/cleaning charge unless the responsible party voluntarily assumes the total charge.
  • When one roommate moves out while the other(s) remain, each person who is currently occupying the room is responsible for cleaning the room/apartment' s common areas (washrooms, kitchen, living room, hallways etc). If the room/apartment is not found to be in acceptable condition for a new resident, cleaning services will be engaged and the residents will be subject to billing.
  • Residents will be billed for excessive or improperly disposed trash that can be traced to them.
  • If damages/abuse or vandalism occur to the exterior surface of a rooms door or window, the residents must contact the Maintenance or Housekeeping Manger with 24 hours and provide documentation indicating they should not be held responsible for any damage billing that may result (i.e., Campus Security/Police reports).
  • All individual charges and fines are applied beginning at the minimum amount of $40/hour (minimum 2 hours) and are subject to increase from that point depending on the damage assessment cost.