A new home or apartment offers numerous opportunities. Empty walls, an empty room, and a blank canvas upon which to create a home. But before you can begin the enjoyable aspects of relocating, you must take care of the essentials. Specifically, the new home is thoroughly cleaned.
Whether you’re renting or buying, move-in cleaning (or pre-move-in cleaning, if you have the flexibility) is an absolute must. Before you can truly settle in, you will need to remove the dirt, grime, and dust left behind by the previous occupants, regardless of how well-intentioned they may have been. Unless you’ve just moved into a brand-new building, that slate is not as blank as it appears. Nedvask bergen
It is ideal to clean a home before moving in, as you will not have to maneuver around furniture and boxes. However, if you must wait until after the move to clean, that is acceptable; just don’t skip the cleaning entirely. The same holds true if a cleaning crew was present before you received the keys. This is one area where you should avoid cutting corners.
There are quite a few steps to move-in cleaning, but with a bit of elbow grease and perhaps another pair of helping hands (thanks, mom! ), you should be able to get your place looking as shiny and new as possible in just one or two days. Here are some suggestions to get you started.
Before cleaning low, clean high
Dust does not only accumulate on floors and countertops. Ceiling fans, overhead lighting fixtures, shelving, and other features close to the ceiling are just as susceptible to becoming dirty, but (a) they are cleaned less frequently and (b) when they are cleaned, they tend to scatter dirt and dust onto the floor below them. Since cleaning these high-up features will inevitably leave the area below them somewhat filthy, start at the top and work your way down in each room.
The blades of ceiling fans are notorious for shedding dust. To minimize collateral damage, slip an old pillowcase over each blade and use the top layer of the pillowcase’s interior to wipe away from the fixture’s center. The majority of dust that escapes will collect in the case, which you can then clean or discard.
If you’re cleaning after a move, start with the refrigerator.
There are a few tasks you can delay while you clean the house, but storing perishable food is not one of them. Before you do anything else, you must clean your new refrigerator. Due to the absence of food, it should not take more than 20 minutes. If possible, remove the shelves and drawers and clean them separately with soap and warm water. Make a solution of equal parts water and white vinegar, and use a clean cloth to wipe down the interior surfaces of the refrigerator. If there is any grime to be removed, let the water and vinegar solution soak for a while. After ensuring that the shelves are completely dry, return them to the refrigerator. Repeat these instructions for the freezer.
If you’re dealing with stubborn fridge grime that won’t budge, boil some water and pour it on the substance. Once the water is cool enough to touch, use your muscles to scrub it thoroughly. The grime should be removed.
Do the remaining kitchen tasks.
After cleaning the refrigerator, you can move on to the rest of the kitchen. Follow the first step and begin with the lighting fixtures, ceiling corners, and cabinet tops. Next, install the range, oven, microwave, dishwasher, and sink, and then the countertops. Next, clean the cabinets, paying special attention to their handles and ensuring that they are spotless on the inside and outside. Put off doing the floor for the time being.
Baking soda and hydrogen peroxide are a potent combination for removing stubborn stains from stovetops. In a small bowl, combine baking soda and enough hydrogen peroxide to form a paste. Spread it over the stove and allow it to sit for 15 minutes before scrubbing.
To the restrooms
Bathroom cleaning involves disinfecting in addition to surface cleanliness. Blue Dawn dish soap and a sponge are sufficient for the initial scrub, but an antibacterial spray should be used to eliminate any lingering germs. Regarding toilet seats, simply replace them. This is the most cost-effective way to ensure that they are thoroughly clean.
Don’t forget to clean areas that you would ordinarily overlook on a typical bathroom cleaning day. Be sure to clean and disinfect the toilet paper holder, light switches, faucets, and door handles in addition to the usual suspects.
Hard water stains on metal fixtures such as faucets and showerheads can be challenging to remove. To make it easier, rub them down with fresh lemon juice. The acid is excellent at removing hard water stains and restoring the luster of metal surfaces.
Deal with the remaining space
Go item by item for the remainder of the cleaning process rather than room by room. According to step one, you must work from the ceiling down, so begin with the ceiling. Don’t overlook surfaces such as the tops of doors, windows and window treatments, light switches, and the interiors of closets. A good vacuum attachment will help you remove dirt and dust from the majority of these areas, after which you can wipe them down with clean, damp rags.
Windows should not be washed when the sun is at its zenith, as this will make it difficult to see dirt and streaks. Wait until evening, or at least begin with shaded windows.
Complete the flooring
You began at the top and will conclude at the bottom. For wood, tile, and linoleum floors, clean the corners and edges with a vacuum attachment before sweeping up any remaining debris. Unless your vacuum is specially designed to do so, do not vacuum the entire surface. Mop the floor, taking care to use a product that is safe for the surface you’re mopping.
For a truly effective carpet cleaning, you should use a steam cleaner. If you do not have one, hire a professional or rent one from a nearby hardware store. Simply vacuuming the carpet may make it appear cleaner, but it does little to remove allergens or improve air quality. And why clean something if you are only going to do it halfway?
To clean stained or dirty grout, combine water and bleach in equal parts in a bowl and scrub with a toothbrush. Allow the solution to sit for approximately one hour, and then scrub clean. Nedvask bergen
