Cleaning and Care Expectations

Your health and safety, and that of your community, is important to us. As such, we've developed some guidelines to ensure the best standards of cleanliness are maintained. Please care for your home by cleaning up your garbage, supporting our recycling efforts, and reporting maintenance issues and vandalism.

Property Damage

You will incur charges for any damage to your unit upon move out. You'll likewise be charged in the event of missing equipment or appliances. If you deliberately damage or destroy University property, or the property of a fellow resident, you will be evicted.

Tampering with fire and safety equipment (such as smoke detectors or fire alarms) falls into this category. Such actions are a serious offense and criminal charges will apply.

Windows

As the temperature drops, it is very important that all windows are closed, especially when you are away from your unit or lounge. If windows are left open, it can quickly lead to frozen pipes and flooding in your residence building. Damage caused by open windows will result in charges to the students involved.

Inspections

Regular cleaning inspections will take place throughout the year (in addition to move-in and move-out inspections).  If your unit fails to meet the cleaning standards, you will be advised of the areas needing attention. See below for a list of suggested cleaning supplies and cleaning do's and dont's.

Garbage and Recycling

You may dispose of your garbage in the hallway beside stairwell 9005 and in the various dumpsters surrounding the building.

If residential garbage is left anywhere other than in the designated disposal units and it is traceable to you, it will result in a removal charge being billed to your account. There is an increased charge for a second offence. Persistent offenders will be evicted from residence. Removal costs for untraceable garbage left in a stairwell will be charged to all residents of the stairwell.

Chemicals, car batteries, and other hazardous waste products must not be disposed of in garbage bins. Such waste products should be taken to the University Environmental Health and Safety unit for proper disposal. It is your responsibility to dispose of all large, unwanted furnishings.

Garbage and Recycling Tips

• Wash out cans, bottles, containers, etc and bag them. Tie them closed tightly and remove as soon as possible.
• Use a garbage bin with secure fitting bag and  a lid
• Don’t leave recycling and garbage in your unit, this will attract pests

Personal Cleaning Kit

In residence, you’ll need some basic cleaning products to keep your unit fresh and clean. To create your personal cleaning kit, we suggest the following items:

• disinfecting wipes (Clorox or Lysol Disinfecting Wipes) 
• multi-surface cleaner (Fantastik, Lysol, Mr. Clean, etc) 
• shower, tub, and tile cleaner (Vim, CLR, Lime Away, Scrubbing Bubbles, Kaboom, etc)
• toilet bowl cleaner (Lysol, Clorox, etc)
• window cleaner (Windex, etc)
• cleaning cloths (rags, microfiber cloths, J-cloths, etc.)
• sponges with abrasive side
• Mr. Clean Magic Erasers
• rubber gloves 
• broom 
• mop
• bucket or pail

You can get any of these products from the Dollar Store, London Drugs, Canadian Tire, Home Depot, Safeway, Sobey’s, Save-On Food, etc.

If you are staying in a unit with roommates you may want to work together to share the cost of these products.

Additional resources:

• Vacuum Rentals - The HUB Community Association provides vacuum rentals to current residents at no charge through their General Office in the Vault (stairwell 9114). All rentals require a valid ONEcard and a deposit.

Cleaning Do’s and Don’ts

Do’s

• Always use rubber gloves when using cleaning supplies
• Wear a mask and ensure proper ventilation while using cleaning products.
• Apply cleaning products, and let them soak for a few minutes (especially ovens). This will allow the cleaning products to do the heavy work.

Don’ts

• Do not mix cleaning products together - when you combine them they can be toxic
• Do not use metal scours or abrasive chemicals on surfaces as these items may cause damage leading to future maintenance and cleaning problems
• Do not use excessive force when cleaning scuffs and marks  from painted surfaces as that may remove the paint
• Do not pour grease, oil, or food down the drain in sinks or bathtubs
• Do not bring furniture or mattresses into your unit that were found in garbage or recycling areas as these items may contain pests

Contract cleaners regularly clean common areas such as stairwells and community areas. You are responsible for keeping your unit clean and tidy. We have put together a cleaning guide that will help you schedule the many tasks needed to care for your unit.

Daily

Weekly

Monthly

If any repairs or pest control problems are found during your regular cleaning, please report them using the online Maintenance Request.