Moving into a new home means a fresh start for you and your family. So, before putting heavy furniture into place and unpacking all your belongings, give your new home a complete, deep cleaning. Even if the previous owners cleaned it before you moved in, cleaning it yourself is sometimes what makes a new house or apartment seem like home. During the cleaning process, you will get more used to your new place and quickly notice stuff that needs to be repaired or replaced. If you need a guide to clean your new home before moving in – you’ve come to the right place! We’ll tell you everything you need to do and point out all the things people usually miss.
Why You Should Clean Your New Home Before Moving In
When you move into a new apartment or house, there is a chance that someone else has lived there before you. Moreover, people who lived there probably left some dirt, dust, and grime even if it wasn’t their intention. That’s why, unless the house is brand new, you should probably deep clean the place before you unpack, while the house is still empty. If you don’t have time to clean before moving in, don’t worry. There are plenty of companies that offer these services, and they’ll probably do the job even better than you would. This will provide you with the assurance that you are moving into a spotless and sanitized environment. That way, all you’ll have to do after the moving day is unpack and stick to a regular cleaning schedule, and your new home will stay spotless.
Start from the Top
When you start cleaning your new house, don’t go straight for the floors. Instead, begin high up where dust settles and is least frequently cleaned. First, use a duster to clean up the cobwebs, dust, and dander from the corners, vents, light fixtures, and ceiling fans. To reach high and difficult-to-reach spots, use your vacuum’s telescopic wand. Because cleaning these high-up elements will undoubtedly result in the area below them becoming a little unclean as well, begin at the top of each room and work your way down. This will help you save time because you won’t have to clean the floors twice.
Start by cleaning the lighting fixtures, shelves, and other high objects.
Wipe Down the Windows
The next thing you want to clean in your new home before moving in is the windows. First, vacuum the window blinds to get rid of dust and wipe them down with a wet cloth. Then, use a window cleaner on the glass, and wipe the window sills with an all-purpose cleaner. We recommend using a clean microfiber towel in order to get streak-free windows.
Remove any mold around the window frame with a bleach cleaner. Alternatively, scrape the mold away with an old toothbrush or a rough sponge dipped in a solution of one part chlorine bleach and three parts warm water. After removing the mold, place the brush in a plastic bag and dispose of it to prevent spores from spreading.
Clean the Walls
If you don’t plan to paint over the walls any time soon, the least you can do is clean them. Start by removing any dust and cobwebs. Then, wipe down the walls with a soft cloth, mild soap, and warm water or a water/vinegar mixture. Vinegar is a powerful, non-toxic cleaner that kills most molds, bacteria, and odors. Don’t forget to pay close attention to baseboards and moldings, as well as the tops of door frames and light switches.
Clean the Kitchen
To clean the kitchen thoroughly, check the space behind and beneath your appliances. Once you move them out of the way, you’ll see a lot of dust and grime that accumulated there. Make sure you scrub everything before you put your appliances back in their space. After you’ve done this, it’s time to clean all appliances. Be especially careful with the fridge. Remove and clean the refrigerator’s shelves and drawers and the interior. Once you’re done with that, wipe down cabinets and counters. Lastly, pour 1/4 cup baking soda down the drain, followed by one cup white vinegar, to remove sink odors and prevent clogs.
When cleaning a kitchen or a bathroom marble counter, avoid vinegar.
Disinfect the Bathroom
If you want to clean your new bathroom thoroughly, you’ll need to access those hard-to-reach areas. It might not be pleasant, but before moving into your new home, you shouldn’t forget to clean under the sink and behind the toilet. Do everything else as you would every time you clean your bathroom, but spend just a few minutes longer scrubbing. Your bathroom will be shining and clean in no time.
Finish by mopping, making sure to use a product that is safe for the surface.
Leave the floors for last so that you don’t have to clean them twice.
Moving In Your Furniture
To be able to access every inch of your new home, it’s best to clean before you move in all your furniture. Once your home is sparkling clean, make sure to hire reputable furniture movers to help with the heavy pieces. They’ll get your bulky items transferred with ease and without any damages.
Don’t do the heavy lifting yourself. As much as you think your friends and family can help carry heavy furniture, it’s best to let the professionals do it and avoid any damage or injuries.
Final Thoughts
If you clean your new home before moving in, you’ll experience a great feeling of accomplishment once you settle in. Moving day is usually stressful as is. The last thing you need to do is clean after you’ve done unpacking. That’s why you should do all the hard work a few days before the move. Then, after it’s all done, you’ll be able to enjoy your time in the new home, without having to worry if your house is clean enough. Furthermore, it will be much easier to keep your new place clean from that point on by tidying it regularly.
