Around 31 million Americans move homes every year, that’s around 9.8% of the entire population.
Moving homes can be stressful, from packing your life into boxes to saying goodbye to your old neighbors. Perhaps you’re planning to move into your new place but you’re not sure how to clean the property properly.
Sounds like you? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Here is our move in cleaning list to guide you.
Declutter Every Room
On the top of our move in cleaning checklist is decluttering every room if the previous owner has left anything behind. Chuck unwanted furniture or donate any items you don’t need, so you can see what you’re working with.
When it’s clear, you can start deep-cleaning the property, regardless of the move in cleaning cost.
Tackle the Kitchen
During your pre move in cleaning session, make sure you include the kitchen. Start at the top of the room, so dust high cabinets, ceiling fans, and light fixtures to prevent an accumulation of grime.
Grab a bottle of all-purpose cleaner, squirt a generous amount of paper towels, and clean the inside and outside of the cabinets. Note, if the cabinets are wood then you’ll need a specialized cleaner.
If the surface is greasy, sprinkle baking soda over the affected area and a squirt of white vinegar.
The mixture will fizz, so let it sit for a few minutes. And don’t forget to target high-touch areas such as light switches, handles, and kitchen countertops with your all-purpose cleaner.
Next, scrub the sink. Mix a tiny amount of bleach with water and pour this down the drain to remove odors and dissolve any food debris. Leave this for a few minutes and then rinse.
You should also deep-clean the stove by removing the racks and drip pans. Use heavy-duty cleaner as it will cut through grease and get your oven sparkling. Once you’re done, clean the refrigerator by removing everything, and soaking each element in hot, soapy water.
Clean the Bathroom
Next on your move in deep cleaning list is the bathroom.
White vinegar is your friend, so fill a spray bottle with 1 part vinegar and another part water. This is perfect for your shower doors, sink, and bathtub. You should also get limescale remover so that your faucets shine.
Further, clean the toilet by applying bleach around the inside rim. Let this sit for 30 minutes before flushing, and wipe down the base as dust often collects there.
You should also spray cabinets, drawers, and empty the medicine cabinet if there’s anything left over. Then, apply grout cleaner, let it sit for 10 minutes, and then scrub the solution into the area.
Tackle the Bedroom(s) and Living Room
Dust the hard-to-reach areas, then use an all-purpose cleaner to clean window sills, skirting boards, and shelves. Basically, if there’s any built-in furniture, then it will need a spritz.
But if you want the job done correctly, it’s wise to hire a reputable move in cleaning service like Muffetta.
Clean the Garage
Check the garage for any damage, whether it’s the light fixtures or a wonky shelving unit. You should then use an all-purpose cleaner to wipe down the surface areas such as window sills, fans, and cabinets.
To finish, grab your vacuum to remove dust. If you notice stains, mix a bucket with detergent and then scrub the affected area with a stiff brush.
Finish With the Floors
To save time, leave the floors until the end especially if you’re mopping. Use a vacuum attachment to clean corners and suck up any remaining debris, a life-saver in the kitchen.
Note, if you’ve got carpet then hire a professional cleaner to steam them. This is a surefire way to extend the lifespan of your flooring because dust eventually splits the fiber so it deteriorates. Plus, professional cleaning reduces allergens so your household doesn’t suffer from respiratory health problems.
Homeowners with wood floors should vacuum, then mix mild soap with water to clean the surface. Finish with varnish so that the wood gleams.
Wipe Down Windows
Grab a bottle of window cleaner and a clean microfiber cloth to wipe down windows.
If there are signs of mold or mildew, then mix three parts of hot water with one part of bleach. Use a scourer to tackle the outbreak, then store the sponge in a plastic bag so the spores don’t spread like wildfire.
For rooms with blinds or curtains, use a vacuum attachment to remove any dust. You should then wipe them down with a mix of mild detergent and water.
Clean the Walls
Although often overlooked, it’s important to remove any marks on the walls. Look out for dirty fingerprints or stains near light switches then mix a bucket of mild detergent with hot water.
Scrub the affected area, rinse with clean water, and then dry the surfaces with a microfiber towel. If you’re dealing with tough stains, then use a cleaning eraser to remove them. But note, this cleaning method will only work with painted walls.
Homeowners who have wallpaper must remove any dust with a clean cloth, and then wipe them down with soapy water. And if the walls are too damaged, then consider repainting the walls so they look fresh.
Move In Cleaning Tips
Hopefully, after reading our move in cleaning tips, your home is ready to live in.
Start by decluttering every room, and then clean from top-to-bottom. Make sure you don’t forget the windows, walls, and consider the type of flooring before cleaning it. Although it’s tempting to clean everything, hire a professional cleaning service as they have the skills and equipment for the job. Happy moving!
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