Moving into a new space is exciting and there's a lot to look forward to. From decorating to DIYs, there's nothing like the feeling of a fresh start. Before settling in and making the space your own, why not take the time to ensure your new home is free from any lingering dirt, dust, or grime? While it's likely the old occupants cleaned before they left, there's nothing like cleaning to your own standards.
While cleaning before you move may seem like a hassle, it can actually make the process easier. Not only does it create a more pleasant environment to move into, but it also eliminates any health hazards and is faster than cleaning once all your furniture and possessions have already been delivered.
Whether you are moving into a newly built home or one that has been previously occupied, taking the time to clean thoroughly before your furniture arrives helps set a foundation for a happy and healthy living space.
Dust settles everywhere; on the floors, tops of cabinets, ceiling fans, and lighting fixtures. Scrubbing your home from top to bottom ensures that you won't have to clean twice. You can clean up any dust that falls onto the floor or benches once you get to wiping those items.
Start by cleaning and wiping down all the high surfaces in your home as mentioned above. One of the benefits of cleaning before you move in is that this dust won't get onto your soft furnishings, food or pantry items. Even if your home looks clean when you move in, it's likely the previous owners haven't wiped down these hard-to-reach-places. Without any home furniture, moving a ladder or chair around each room is easier to get at the cupboards or light fixtures you need to clean.
Once you've cleaned all the high surfaces, move on to any benchtops or waist-level surfaces. If you're moving into a new building there may be layers of dust or building debris that you can't even see. Wipe down all ledges, benches and surfaces to ensure you're picking up all the dust, dirt and grime. Once these areas are cleaned you can finish by vacuuming, sweeping and mopping the floors. This task is made easier without having any furniture in your home.
The bathroom is one part of your house that needs a deep cleaning. This doesn’t just need to be spotless, it needs to be disinfected. While the prior occupants may have cleaned, it's a good idea to scrub down your bathroom and ensure it's clean before you bring in your belongings.
First, dust the extractor fan with a damp cloth as it may have accumulated a lot of buildup in the past. Doing this first ensures that any dust particles can fall into the shower or bathtub or onto the floor rather than falling onto any newly cleaned surfaces.
Once the fan is clean, wipe down the walls, doors and handles with some all-purpose cleaner or sugar scrub. Next clean the bathtub and shower with a cream cleaner to buff away any built-on grime and polish the taps. Scrub the toilet with a toilet brush and use a sponge to clean its sides and base. Use some disinfectant spray after so you get rid of any remaining germs.
If your new home comes with pre-installed kitchen appliances, then it’s good to give it a thorough cleaning to make sure the food you will store and prepare in them will not be contaminated.
You should vacuum the back of the fridge to eliminate the dust it likely accumulated. Wipe the fridge's insides with hot water mixed with a small amount of soap. To rinse off the soap, wipe it with some clean water right after. If you are hesitant about using soap for cleaning your fridge, you can use a mixture of 1 part baking soda and 7 parts water.
Remove the oven rack then spray oven cleaner inside your oven and let it sit for 20 to 30 minutes. Spray your oven rack with some cleaner too and let it sit. After the appropriate time had passed, wiped your oven and the racks with a damp cloth. Microfiber sponges or other abrasive tools can be used to remove stubborn grime. Make sure you are wearing gloves when you clean your oven. Gloves protect your hands, wrists and any exposed skin from the acidic spray.
Wipe cabinets and countertops with a damp cloth to remove dust and then use an all-purpose cleaner to ensure any old food stains are thoroughly cleaned.
To remove stains, make a cleaning paste out of vinegar and baking soda then scrub it to the stained surface using steel wool.
Don't forget to clean other areas of your house such as the top of your doors, windows and frames, light switches and closets. You can use a vacuum for some of those areas then finish up by wiping the surface using a damp cloth with some all-purpose cleaner.
Floors are one of the first areas to have dirt and debris trekked through them so it's important to give them a thorough clean. Dust, pet furs or even pet urine that leaves a persistent smell should be eliminated. If your new home has a wood tile, use a vacuum to remove dirt from the corners. After vacuuming and sweeping, mop the floor and use a gentle product on the wood tile.
If your floor is carpeted, it's best to steam clean it. Renting a steam cleaner is relatively cheap. Alternatively, you can hire a professional once you've finished cleaning.
These tips will help you prepare your new home for you and your family to move in. Thinking of hiring home movers for a smooth home-moving experience? Create a listing on Wise Move so you can start receiving quotes from different reliable moving companies. Accept the quote you prefer and look forward to a stress-free moving day.
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