Making a Clean Start: Getting Your New Home Move-In Ready

The house that so impressed you during the viewing process was skillfully staged to look inviting and appeal to you as a space that could easily become your new home with the addition of your own furniture and belongings. It’s an important tactic for people who place their property on the market and are challenged to do whatever’s necessary to attract buyers. No matter how pristine the place appeared, you’ll still probably face a gritty, roll-up-your-sleeves job of cleaning once the place is yours. You’ll want to make sure the house you’ve invested in really is clean before you and the family get settled - you might as well take care of it right away, otherwise you’ll just have to do it later on.

Calling a Pro

If you’re moving into an apartment, it’s likely your new landlord already had the place cleaned. But it’s always nice to know that your new home is thoroughly clean. To achieve that sense of security it may be worthwhile to hire a professional cleaning service to do a deep cleaning. If you’re new to the area, you may not know where to look, so do some research using this search tool to find apartment cleaners near you.

The right tools Make sure you’ve stocked up with the right supplies so you’re prepared for the magnitude of the task at hand. Of course, you’ll need more than some wash rags, a few sponges, a vacuum and mop. Buy rubber gloves for everyone, replace the HEPA filter in your vacuum, and have plenty of heavy duty cleaning fluids on hand. The better equipped you are, the easier this difficult and arduous task will be.

Scour the Bathroom

Be prepared to spend plenty of time in the bathrooms before moving in. Presumably, they’re in acceptable condition since the previous owners will have needed to keep them clean for all the would-be buyers that have come through. Nevertheless, you’ll still want to give the bathtub or shower a thorough going over with a tile and tub cleaner to get rid of residual mold and mildew, which represent a bacteria threat.

Go ahead and spend the few dollars it’ll take to replace the toilet seats with new ones. It’s safer and more hygienic than scrubbing the grime off what was someone else’s toilet seat. And don’t forget to scrub using bleach around the base of a toilet, including behind it to eliminate any urine build-up.

Where You Can’t See

Just because you can’t see the dirt and grime doesn’t mean it isn’t there. Count on it - the chandelier, ceiling fan blades, and light fixtures will need to be dusted and cleaned, otherwise they’ll continue to be a source of allergens. And don’t forget to clean off that lovely crown molding with a hand-duster and a microfiber cloth, as well as the mantel. Take care of this before you’ve moved in to avoid exposing everyone to dust and debris - once this is done you’ll be breathing cleaner, safer air. Air quality is a major health consideration, so consider investing in an air purifier with HEPA filter, which will eliminate most airborne allergens and hidden pollutants and maintain healthful breathing air.

The Really Dirty Stuff

Look sharp, because your predecessors may have strategically positioned furniture, rugs and wall hangings to cover anything from little dings to dents and holes. It’s a common practice; most of us have done this rather than going to the expense of making repairs. If the hardwood has a nasty scratch that’s been covered for years with a couch or table, be prepared to sand and resurface the spot. Take the same approach if you find any holes in the drywall caused by impact from a doorknob.

Don’t hesitate to move large appliances so you can clean behind and underneath them. Specifically, get in behind the fridge to clean the venting and coils, which likely have plenty of dust built up, which can become a fire hazard if left unaddressed. If the previous owners had pets, consider the likelihood that the carpeting may be a haven for fleas, mites and other pests and allergens.

Moving into a brand new home means you’re starting a new life. You’ve spent weeks anticipating getting the place all spic and span. Things will go more smoothly if you purchase a full complement of cleaning materials and have a cleaning strategy in place before you move in.

Article contributed by Charlotte Meier

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