Eliminating Odours and Stains: Professional Solutions for End of Tenancy Cleaning
Moving out? The pressure's on, especially when you look at the numbers: 56% of UK tenancy disputes are caused by cleaning problems. All those odours and stains can cost you a lot and prevent your landlord from returning your full deposit. Endless packing, tight deadlines, and final inspections don't make moving out any easier. On the contrary, they all add more pressure. Professionals like ours at Buzz Maids will remove stains, neutralise odours, and leave your rental immaculate, helping you pass your final inspection and secure your full deposit. Want to learn how they do it?
Also see how odour and stain removal fits into our comprehensive end of tenancy cleaning.
Key takeaways
- Cleaning problems cause 56% of UK tenancy disputes, and professional odour and stain removal is essential to secure a full deposit refund.
- Property characteristics affect the cleaning problem. Surface porosity, property age, ventilation, humidity, and usage patterns matter for how deeply odours and stains set in.
- Cooking smells, pet odours, cigarette smoke, and damp/mildew require specialised cleaning techniques.
- Professional stain removal techniques vary by surface type – distinct methods are used for carpets, upholstery, and hard surfaces (like bathroom tiles and kitchen counters).
- Buzz Maids' professional advantage comes from using specialised equipment and commercial-grade, eco-friendly cleaning agents.
- Buzz Maids has a 3-step professional process: detailed assessment and documentation, targeted treatment with specialised methods, and comprehensive quality inspection.
- Documentation is paramount for avoiding deposit disputes - Buzz Maids provides before-and-after photos and detailed cleaning records, and aligns with inventory check-in/check-out reports.
Odours and stains matter a lot. Here’s why!
Odours and stains are a top reason for end-of-tenancy disputes and can cause deposit deductions. While odours are subjective and difficult to dispute, visible stains can immediately raise red flags of neglect. In worst-case scenarios—smoke damage or pet urine—tenants risk losing their whole deposit. They risk deposit deductions unless tenants have proof (before-and-after evidence, professional cleaning documentation). So, stain and odour removal is crucial for protecting your deposit.
At the end of the lease, landlords and inventory clerks use detailed check-in and check-out reports to examine the property's condition. The check-in report is conceived at the beginning of the tenancy and includes photographs and descriptions of the property’s cleanliness, condition, and existing damage or wear. The check-out report is created at the end of the lease and compares the property’s state to the check-in report.
Factors affecting how odours and stains settle and spread
Type of surface or material
- Porous materials (e.g. carpets, upholstery, unsealed wood) absorb smells and liquids easily. Stains go deeper and are more difficult to remove from porous materials.
- Non-porous surfaces (like tiles or glass) may not absorb stains, but can trap smells in grout lines or surface films.
- Textile density matters too—thicker fabrics hold onto odours longer than thinner ones.
Age and condition of the property
Period homes often have aged wood, worn sealants, and cracked plaster, which absorb and trap smells and stains. Light-colored or synthetic surfaces in modern properties may show marks more clearly, and minor stains are easier to notice.
Ventilation and airflow
Poor ventilation allows odours to linger and intensify, and stale air may circulate smells throughout soft furnishings and wall coverings.
Temperature and humidity
High humidity (common in many UK regions) favours mould and mildew, especially in bathrooms or around windows, causing damp odours and surface staining. Heat can worsen smells (pet urine or smoke) and set stains faster.
Frequency and type of use
Odours and spills accumulate faster in living rooms, hallways, kitchens and other heavily used areas. The contamination is deeper and faster when cooking with strong spices, smoking indoors, or having pets inside.
Previous cleaning methods
Improper cleaning—using bleach on the wrong surface or rubbing a stain can worsen stains or cause the spreading of odours. Also, some products hide and don’t remove smells, so that they will resurface over time.
Hidden or hard-to-reach areas
Smells and stains tend to settle in less visible areas—under appliances, in carpet underlay, behind radiators. Cleaning these areas is crucial.
Some real-world examples
Case no.1
A tenant with a dog cleaned the flat at the end of the lease, but the carpet presented a faint urine smell. The landlord hired professional carpet cleaners and deducted £285 from the tenant’s deposit for deep cleaning and deodorising.
Case no.2
Even though the tenancy agreement included a non-smoking clause, the tenant breached it with occasional indoor smoking. The curtains and soft furnishings presented a lingering smoking smell, and the landlord asked £400 from the tenants to replace affected items and repaint.
Case no. 3
A tenant frequently cooked with strong spices and didn’t efficiently clean the extractor fan and soft furnishings before moving out. The landlord deducted £180 from the tenant’s deposit for curtain cleaning and odour treatment.
Common Household Odours & How Professionals Remove Them
Cooking odours
Strong spices, frying oils, or pungent ingredients like garlic and curry can set deeply into surfaces. If the kitchen is small or inefficiently ventilated, the smells will set in the walls, curtains, extractor fans, and cupboard interiors. Oil particles create a thin film trapping smells, textile and porous materials absorb odours easily, and standard air fresheners only hide the issue—basic cleaning isn’t enough.
Professional methods
- Degrease and deep-clean appliances and surfaces with food-safe, commercial-grade cleaners
- Steam clean or hot water extraction for curtains, upholstery, and carpets
- Use ozone generators or fogging machines to neutralise odour molecules in the air and on soft surfaces at a molecular level
- Clean the ventilation system and eliminate trapped particles and grease.
Professionals manage visible residue and the microscopic odour particles to thoroughly neutralise them and leave the place fresh-smelling.
Pet odours
In homes with cats, dogs, and other furry pets, pet odours are a common problem. It’s not only visible hair that has to be removed, pet odours—caused by pet hair, dander, urine incidents, and oils from their fur—are a lot more challenging. They are all deeply set into carpets, upholstery, underlay, and subflooring. The tiny particles of pet hair and dander get trapped in the fibres of carpets, upholstery, and curtains, while urine can seep into the underlay and subfloor. Oils from fur pets can also trap odours in fabrics and materials.
Professional solutions
- Deep cleaning with professional-grade vacuums, HEPA filters, and potent suction removes pet hair and dander from carpet fibres and upholstery.
- Professionals use enzymatic cleaners that break down urine compounds at the molecular level, eliminating the source of the smell and preventing recurring.
- Hot water extraction will extract pet hair, dirt, and trapped odours from carpets, rugs, and upholstery
- Professionals may treat the underlay and subflooring with specialised odour-neutralising agents. If the damage is severe, they recommend replacing the underlay.
- Odour-neutralising foggers are used to distribute a fine mist that breaks down the odour-causing particles inside the room.
Cigarette smoke
The smoke particles from cigarettes don’t dissipate as they stay on walls, ceilings, fabrics, carpets, and air ducts. The acrid smell is difficult to remove, and the tiny particles—containing tar, nicotine, and other chemicals- seep into porous surfaces and soft furnishings. SIY sprays hide, and don’t remove the underlying particles causing the smell.
Professional solutions
- Professionals use industrial-grade cleaners that break down nicotine and tar residue from walls, ceilings, and hard surfaces, neutralising the odour at its source.
- Steam cleaning and hot water extraction are used to remove smoke particles set in the fabrics and fibres of upholstery, carpets, and curtains.
- Professional cleaners often use ozone generators or fogging machines to neutralise smoke odour particles in the air and on soft surfaces. They penetrate deep into fabrics, removing the smell at a molecular level.
- The HVAC system and air filters are also cleaned, and professionals remove trapped smoke residues.
- For long-term freshness, professionals may apply deodorising treatments that break down the chemical compounds in smoke, rather than just hiding the smell.
- According to a study analysing Google search data, the most common stains in UK households are from coffee, tea, red wine, blood, faeces, and urine.
- The kitchen (56%) and bathroom (45%) are the most common sources of unpleasant odours.
Damp and mildew
Damp and mildew odours are common in high-humidity regions of the UK, especially in basements, bathrooms, and poorly ventilated areas. They often signal other problems, like mould growth or trapped moisture, posing health risks and severe problems for the property. Long-lasting dampness makes a breeding ground for mould spores and mildew, common in period homes or properties with poor ventilation.
Water may seep unnoticed behind walls, under floors, or in the attic and cause damp and mildew. Musty odours from the mould spores and bacteria growing in moist conditions penetrate carpets, furnishings, and painted walls.
Professional solutions
- Professionals examine to detect the source of moisture, which can be condensation, a leak, or poor drainage.
- Using specialised mould removal treatments, professionals remove mould and mildew from surfaces and neutralise the spores producing the musty smell. They scrub, wash, and disinfect the surfaces with mouth-specific solutions.
- To disinfect and prevent mould growth, professionals use anti-microbial cleaning agents to handle visible mould and hidden spores in walls, ceilings, or floors.
- In areas with ongoing dampness, professionals use dehumidifiers to eliminate excess moisture from the air.
- Extractor fans in bathrooms and kitchens are installed to prevent condensation and ensure healthy air circulation.
How do the pros so accurately remove stains?
Carpet stains
Spills from wine, coffee, or pet accidents cause stains, making end-of-tenancy cleaning more challenging as they set deep into fibres. If not addressed, they become permanent and cause deposit deductions. Wine and coffee contain pigments and tannins that bind to carpet fibres and cause visible stains if not promptly managed.
Urine from pets contains acids and proteins that sink deep into the carpet and the underlay, requiring immediate removal. Even though synthetic carpets may resist staining a tad better than natural fibres, both types can absorb liquids and require professional cleaning.
Professional solutions
- Professionals use specialised cleaning solutions and hot water extraction to break down stains and lift the particles deeply set within the carpet fibres. The high temperature loosens the pigments from wine or coffee stains, while the vacuum eliminates them.
- Pre-treatment solutions are specially formulated to remove coffee, wine, and pet urine.
- For pet accidents, professionals use enzymatic cleaning solutions that break down the proteins and acids in urine, neutralising the odour and removing the stain and its sources.
- Professionals may apply spot cleaning methods with targeted treatment. They use high-pressure suction to eliminate difficult stains (red wine, ink stains).
- After extraction, professionals apply a protective treatment to prevent recurrence and ensure a long-lasting, fresh appearance.
See our complete guide on professional carpet cleaning.
Upholstery stains
Upholstered furniture is vulnerable to stains from spills, oils, and dirt, and the fabric type is crucial for the cleaning method. Specialised care is much needed on velvet, linen, leather, and blended fabrics. For instance, when improperly cleaned, velvet becomes matted or flattened, while leather cracks or discolours if incorrectly treated.
Linen or silk is sensitive to water and harsh chemicals, and needs gentle cleaning.
Professional solutions
- Professionals clean velvet with gentle vacuuming to lift dirt and use a dry cleaning or low-moisture extraction method to remove stains. To restore its lush texture, they may also brush the pile post-cleaning.
- Linen is prone to fading or shrinkage when incorrectly cleaned, and professionals use gentle fabric-specific cleaners or low-moisture extraction to clean linen upholstery. To preserve its integrity, they only use cool water.
- Professional cleaners gently clean the surface of leather with leather-specific cleaners. They apply a leather conditioner after cleaning to maintain the material supple and avoid damage.
- Polyester, cotton blends, and other blended fabrics can be cleaned with various methods, such as hot water extraction and steam cleaning. Technicians use fabric-safe cleaning solutions to eliminate stains and deeply set dirt.
Hard surface stains
Limescale, grease, and watermarks may develop on hard surfaces like kitchen counters, bathroom tiles, and stone floors. In hard-water areas, minerals in the water can cause difficult deposits to remove with DIY approaches. Professionals turn to targeted cleaning solutions and specialised methods.
Limescale
Limescale can leave unsightly white streaks and cloudy patches on surfaces and bonds tightly to hard surfaces. In areas with frequent water exposure, the buildup becomes thick and difficult to remove with DIY solutions.
Professional solutions
- Professionals use acidic cleaners (vinegar-based solutions or citric acid) to break down the calcium deposits without damaging the surfaces.
- For thicker deposits, professionals gently use non-abrasive scrubbers or power tools with soft brushes to loosen the limescale, without scratching or damaging the surfaces.
- After cleaning, the cleaners apply a protective coating to surfaces to prevent future limescale buildup.
Grease
Grease leaves sticky spots on backsplashes, countertops, and range hoods. As it’s oily and sticky, grease is tricky to remove with water alone. The sticky spots trap dirt and attract more grime, causing unsightly stains.
Professional solutions
- Professionals use industrial-grade degreasers that are typically alkaline-based and dissolve oils and fats without damaging surfaces.
- For greasy buildup on large surfaces, professionals use steam cleaning or hot water extraction.
- To work the cleaner into the surface and lift difficult grease, the professionals use scrub brushes or microfiber cloths after they apply the degreaser.
Watermarks
Hard water deposits or soap scum cause watermarks with a cloud or streaky appearance. They are common on glass shower doors, bathroom mirrors, and countertops.
Professional solutions
- To dissolve watermarks caused by mineral buildup, professionals use mild acidic solutions (vinegar or citric acid) that break down deposits without damaging glass, marble, and other delicate surfaces.
- Professionals use glass-specific cleaners to remove watermarks on glass. The cleaners remove the mineral deposits and leave a streak-free finish.
- To restore the original shine and eliminate marks, professionals polish surfaces and achieve a smooth, reflective finish.
- Professional-grade carpet extraction systems can eliminate up to 95% of embedded dirt and stains, compared to 70% achieved by standard portable units.
- Commercial-grade cleaning agents with professional equipment can enhance cleaning efficiency by up to 30%
Why does Buzz Maids stand out?
The professionals at Buzz Maids use top-of-the-line equipment and commercial-grade cleaning agents to manage the most difficult stains, odours, and issues.
We use top-of-the-line equipment.
Our cleaners turn to hot water extraction machines that employ high-pressure, hot water and specialised detergents to lift deep-set stains and bacteria from carpets and upholstery. The method cleans and sanitises the surfaces, leaving no residue behind. For delicate fabrics or areas needing a gentle approach, we use steam cleaning –the high-temperature steam will break down stains and odours and deeply clean without damaging the materials.
To eliminate lingering odours, our professionals employ fogging technology that spreads specialised cleaning agents into the air to neutralise unpleasant smells and bacteria in all areas, including carpets, upholstery, and air ducts.
Our cleaning agents are eco-conscious and commercial-grade
We use environmentally conscious cleaning agents that don’t contain harsh chemicals and ensure non-toxic cleaning for the property and the environment. Our teams turn to surface-specific cleaning agents to eliminate difficult stains without damaging the materials.
We have diverse expertise in stain removal and regional cleaning needs
Our professionals quickly detect the type of stains and odours and select the most adequate cleaning treatment. We efficiently pick the products and methods to remove everything from wine spills to pet accidents and cooking odours.
Whether it’s the hard water areas in the UK or high humidity conditions, our cleaners possess regional knowledge about the factors causing stains and odours. We adjust our approach to handle these regional issues efficiently.
We know every home is unique, and our professionals efficiently handle various building materials. From marble countertops to wooden floors, we care for each surface while preserving its quality and appearance.
Why Choose Buzz Maids?
When you hire Buzz Maids, you invest in a team experienced in combining innovative technology, eco-friendly products, and specialised knowledge to achieve the best cleaning results. We go above and beyond to leave the property spotless, odour-free, and ready for the next tenant, securing your deposit refund.
Our 3-step specialist cleaning process
1. Assessment & documentation
Our detail-oriented cleaners will examine to the most minute detail the property, as follows:
Stains and odours
We detect all visible stains, lingering odours, and areas requiring attention. We document each issue and its complexity degree, whether a small stain or a large area with watermarks, grease, or pet accidents.
Material identification
Our team examines the material types of affected surfaces, from carpets to upholstery, tiles, and wooden floors and chooses the correct cleaning method for each surface.
Personalised approach
After we examine the condition and problematic areas, we conceive a customised cleaning plan according to your property’s needs for accurate and efficient cleaning.
2. Targeted professional treatment
Bespoke cleaning methods
Our teams combine professional-grade tools with eco-friendly, efficient cleaning agents for specific materials and stains. Our approach is customised, whether we employ hot water extraction for carpets, specialised degreasers for kitchen surfaces, or steam cleaning for delicate upholstery.
Address each problem
We use the most adequate solution for each problem: pet odours, difficult limescale, cigarette smoke, or stains from food or drink.
Focused, deep treatment
We employ specialised techniques like fogging systems to remove lingering odours or steam cleaning to eliminate difficult stains for complex jobs.
3. Quality assurance & verification
Post-clean inspection
We conduct a detailed inspection of the property to ensure we have removed all odours and stains and have immaculate surfaces.
Verification
We document our results with photographic evidence to ensure we have achieved the highest standards. It proves our results, and you can use the before-and-after photos in case of deposit disputes.
Satisfaction guarantee
We fully trust our cleaners’ performance and back our work with a 7-day satisfaction guarantee. If the results aren’t satisfactory, we return for free fixes.
Do you want to avoid deposit disputes?
At Buzz Maids, we do everything to help you avoid deposit disputes with landlords and letting agencies through several methods:
Provide complete documentation
Our cleaners take accurate before-and-after photos of the property to display the condition of surfaces, carpets, upholstery, and affected areas. They are a visual record of the cleaning service and can be paramount in cleaning-related deposit disputes. We have detailed records of our work, including the cleaning methods, products, and areas that needed special attention. Our process is transparent from beginning to end.
Ensure alignment with inventory reports.
We ensure that our cleaning service aligns with the check-in and check-out inventory reports that landlords and inventory clerks use to examine a property’s condition at the beginning and end of the lease. Our teams can prove that the property has been returned to its original state. In case of disputes, our cleaning records and documentation offer an invaluable reference point for swiftly resolving.
We collaborate with landlords and agencies.
To ensure a seamless check-out process, we collaborate with landlords and letting agencies and meet their cleaning standards. We provide necessary documentation and conduct proactive communication. Tenants meet their contractual obligations as we adhere to professional cleaning standards and regulations.
- Professional equipment and expertise--Buzz Maids uses innovative tools like hot water extraction, steam cleaning, and fogging, as well as vast expertise to eliminate difficult odours and stains.
- Comprehensive documentation and dispute prevention--We provide detailed cleaning records and before-and-after photos that match inventory checklists, offering accurate proof of cleanliness.
Success stories from our clients
At Buzz Maids, we deliver immaculate properties, regardless of our challenges. Here are some remarkable stories:
Case no.1
DIY methods failed in a student flat with years of cigarette smoke. We used steam cleaning and fogging to eliminate smoke particles from carpets, upholstery, and walls. The tenant received the entire deposit back, and the property was left in a fresh, welcoming environment.
Case no.2
A tenant with a grease-heavy kitchen was stressed about deposit deductions. Our cleaners used professional-grade degreasers and steam cleaning to make the kitchen grease-free and immaculate. The tenant received the entire deposit back.
Case no.3
Our professionals used anti-mould treatments and dehumidification to eliminate dampness in a coastal property with mould and mildew. The tenant secured their deposit, and the property was healthy and hygienic for the new renters.
Book your specialist clean.
Risk-Free, No-Deposit Bookings with Upfront Pricing
Booking Buzz Maids is easy, and we don’t require upfront deposits for residential jobs. You will receive an accurate estimation with no hidden fees.
Coverage area
Our cleaning services are available in many areas.
We have a 7-Day Satisfaction Guarantee.
If our results aren’t satisfactory, we have a 7-day satisfaction guarantee. During this period, you can call, and we will come for free fixes. With Buzz Maids, booking is a stress-free experience, and our services are always backed by customer satisfaction.
The bottom line
Please don’t risk it by leaving the cleaning to chance at the end of your lease. Hire professionals like Buzz Maids as they use advanced methods and eco-friendly solutions, and offer accurate evidence for their work. With our help, end-of-tenancy cleaning becomes a breeze and getting your deposit back in full is a sure thing.
Get a quote for our complete end of tenancy cleaning.
FAQs
What kinds of odours and stains do you manage?
We manage difficult odours and stains, including cooking smells, pet odours, cigarette smoke, and damp or mildew. Our cleaners also remove stains from wine, coffee, pet accidents, and grease.
How do you calculate the rate?
The size of the property, the severity of stains and odours, and the services required impact our pricing. After we assess the property, we will give you a transparent, accurate estimate with no hidden costs.
When should I book a service?
We recommend you book the service at least a week before the move-out date to have time to address difficult odours and stains. Our team can accommodate last-minute bookings.
What happens if the stains or smells come back?
If any stains or odours recur within 7 days of cleaning, we return for a free re-clean. Should the problem persist, we will reassess and apply further treatments with no additional charges.
RESOURCES
- https://www.ultimaenvironmental.com/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-everything-you-need-to-know/
- https://www.hintsandthings.co.uk/navigating-the-end-of-tenancy-cleaning-services-in-the-uk/
- https://www.itsclean.co.uk/its-clean-blog/we-solve-5-common-issues-with-end-of-tenancy-cleaning
- https://www.propertyreporter.co.uk/majority-of-uk-renters-hit-with-cleaning-related-deposit-deductions.html
- https://www.tenancydepositscheme.com/asktds-do-i-need-to-professionally-clean-the-property-at-the-end-of-the-tenancy/
- https://www.standard.co.uk/homesandproperty/property-news/playing-dirty-tenants-have-an-average-of-ps250-deducted-from-deposits-b1166038.html
- https://www.bark.com/en/gb/end-of-tenancy-cleaning/end-of-tenancy-cleaning-price-guide/
- https://cleaningday.co.uk/everything-you-should-know-about-cleaning-a-rental-property