Adelaide service
Wall Washing & Spot Cleaning Adelaide
A standard bond clean includes a spot-clean of obvious marks and scuffs. A full wall wash is a separate, larger job - top to bottom, every wall, every room. If your walls have heavy marks (kids' fingerprints, smoke residue, scuff lines along corridors) you may need the bigger service. You get matched with independent Adelaide cleaners who quote both scopes in writing, and the page below explains where 'reasonably clean' ends and 'fair wear and tear' begins.
What's included
The scope you can expect
Independent cleaners in our network quote on this scope. If your property has unusual conditions (very dirty oven, lots of carpet, balconies, blinds), they price the add-ons separately so you see the breakdown.
Typically included
- Spot clean: targeted removal of fingerprints, food splatter, scuff marks, light pencil and pen marks at switch height
- Full wall wash: top-to-bottom wash of every wall in scope, using paint-safe products
- Skirting boards: dust, wash, polish (where painted)
- Doorframes and tops of doors: wiped of dust and visible marks
- Light switch plates and power point covers: wiped
- Ceiling cornices and corners: dusted, cobwebs removed
- Around door handles: degreased - this is where most hand-oil residue sits
- Around light switches: degreased and wiped
- Behind doors and behind furniture marks: wiped to original colour where the paint is intact
- A final walk-through to flag any marks that are paint damage, not dirt
Usually NOT included (quote add-ons)
- Paint touch-ups or paint matching (this is the agent's call - you do not do paint work without written authorisation)
- Filling picture hooks, nail holes or screw holes (filling is allowed in some leases; check yours)
- Sanding, priming or repainting walls (painter's trade, separate quote)
- Removing wallpaper or contact film
- Removing mould that has gone into the paint or plaster (mould removal on damaged surfaces is a different specialist trade)
- Crayon, permanent marker or oil-based stain removal beyond a reasonable attempt - some marks will not lift without damaging the paint
Add-ons are quoted as separate line items so you can see exactly what you're paying for.
Cost
What walls costs in Adelaide (2026)
A spot-clean of obvious marks is usually included in a bond clean. A full wall wash is quoted separately as a fixed-price job. Most Adelaide jobs land in the $60-$150 range as a stand-alone or add-on; a heavily-soiled property (smoking, long tenancy, kids) can push higher.
| Item | Adelaide range |
|---|---|
| Spot-clean of marks (whole property) | $60 - $120 |
| Full wall wash - 1-bedroom unit | $80 - $140 |
| Full wall wash - 2-bedroom unit | $110 - $180 |
| Full wall wash - 3-bedroom house | $150 - $280 |
| Full wall wash - 4-bedroom house | $220 - $380 |
| Smoke / heavy nicotine residue treatment surcharge | $80 - $250 |
Why this matters under SA law
Under section 69(3) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA), a tenant must leave the premises in a reasonable state of cleanliness, having regard to fair wear and tear. Light scuff marks at chair-height, gradual paint dulling, and minor marks from ordinary occupation are generally treated as fair wear and tear and are not the tenant's responsibility. Specific damage (red wine on a wall, crayon, smoke staining, repeated dog scratches) is not fair wear and tear and is in scope for cleaning or, if irreversible, for the agent's claim discussion. The start-of-tenancy condition report is the reference point - if the marks were not noted at the start, they are arguably tenant-period. This is general information; confirm with CBS or a tenancy advice service.
Read the RTA guideWhy this service matters
Where the bond is most often lost
- Walls are the largest visible surface in the property. An otherwise excellent clean can be undermined by streak marks above the couch or fingerprints around every light switch.
- Light switches, around door handles, the section of wall behind a bedhead and the corridor at hand-height are where agents look first. A targeted spot-clean here can pass an inspection even without a full wall wash.
- Smoke and nicotine residue is the one wall issue that often cannot be 'cleaned off' - it has penetrated. If the property was let as non-smoking and there is yellow staining, the agent's claim is likely to be valid. Honest framing at the quote stage saves a dispute later.
- Distinguishing 'dirty' from 'damaged' matters. A scuff that cleans away is a clean job; paint flake that has come off with the scuff is damage and is the agent's repair conversation, not the cleaner's.
Related services
Other end of lease services
Frequently asked questions
Are walls included in a standard bond clean?
A spot-clean of visible marks at handover is usually included in a bond clean. A full wall wash (top-to-bottom, every wall, every room) is a separate, larger job and is quoted as an add-on. If your walls have heavy marks (kids, smoke, long tenancy), you probably need the full wash. If your walls are in good condition with only a few scuffs, the spot-clean inside your bond clean is usually enough.
How much does wall washing cost in Adelaide?
A spot-clean across the whole property is typically $60-$120 as an add-on. A full wall wash ranges from $80-$140 for a 1-bedroom unit up to $220-$380 for a 4-bedroom house. Heavy smoke or nicotine residue carries a surcharge of $80-$250 because the products and time are different.
What is 'fair wear and tear' for walls in SA?
Section 69(3) of the Residential Tenancies Act 1995 (SA) allows for fair wear and tear. For walls, this usually covers gradual paint dulling, minor scuff marks consistent with ordinary occupation, light marks at chair-back or shoulder height, and small marks at light switches. Specific damage (large stains, crayon, smoke residue, scratches deeper than paint, holes outside what your lease allows) is generally not fair wear and tear. Tenant-level marks at standard height are usually for cleaning; damage is a separate landlord conversation. Confirm with CBS or a tenancy advice service.
What if the cleaner cannot get a mark off without damaging the paint?
A reputable cleaner stops at the point where further cleaning will lift the paint itself. A scoped quote will note 'attempted, mark partially lifted, paint damage likely if pressed further'. That note becomes useful evidence: it shows the cleaner tried, and that what is left is paint-related rather than dirt-related, which is a different conversation with the agent.
Should I fill picture-hook holes?
Depends on your lease. Some leases allow reasonable wall hangings without filling; some require filling at the end of the tenancy. Filling small holes with paintable filler and a touch of matching paint is often expected. If you are unsure, ask the agent for the section of your lease that addresses it, or contact CBS. Wall-washing cleaners do not do paint touch-ups by default - that is a painter's trade.
Can the cleaner remove crayon, permanent marker or oil-based stains?
They will try with paint-safe products, but no honest cleaner guarantees full removal of crayon, marker, oil stains or food dye on painted walls. These often need a paint touch-up. The cleaner can document what came off and what remains - your evidence at the inspection.
Get matched with Adelaide cleaners who quote on this exact scope
Up to 3 independent cleaners. Fixed written quotes within 24 hours. No obligation.