A Housekeeper Guide to How to Clean an Apartment Before Moving In
The relocating trend is declining since the Cold War until the Covid-19 pandemic started last year. But in 2020 and this year, precisely because of the Coronavirus, more and more people are cross-country moving. That’s why knowing how to clean an apartment before moving in is one of the first things to do. This process isn’t the easiest one you have to do in your life, but health and safety should be your top priority, especially nowadays.
No matter if you’re relocating from house to condo, or vice versa, from condo to a house, there are some things that need to be done so that relocation is successful. The first thing is getting organized to move, and the best way to do it is by making a relocation to-do list. Not only will it keep you organized during the relocation, but it will also help you remember things people forget when relocating. Among those things are most certainly cleaning supplies because most of us don’t realize why new homes should be cleaned and sanitized.
Why Is It Important to Get Your Future Place Cleaned Before SettlIng in?
If you’re relocating out for the first time and you collected all the relocation tips so that you can have an efficient move, then you’re probably asking yourself should you clean an apartment before moving in. The answer is yes because even if the place is completely new, it doesn’t mean there’s nothing to be cleaned. The dirt on the floor, in the kitchen cabinets, and in the bedroom can be clothes, so you’ll still need to do some sweeping and scrubbing.
We all know why relocating is so stressful, and that’s why you should do everything you can to make sure the settling in part goes smoothly. One of the things to achieve is cleaning the apartment before moving in. You surely don’t want to put your stuff on a dirty surface and floor, right?
How Do You Deep Clean an Apartment?
Regardless of your reasons to move, you should think about things to do after the move when you decide where to live. You can never know if the previous owners cleaned before they left the place, so some tips and tricks could come in handy. Not just because it can be a tedious task, but it can take you a lot of time when you want to settle in and unpack after the move.
So, if you already have made friends in the future city, don’t hesitate to ask them to help you. It’s a great opportunity to get to know them better, and you’ll be done much faster. On the other hand, if you still haven’t had time to meet people and you’ll sanitize on your own, know that it will take at least two days, depending on the size of the place.
What Do You Need to Clean an Apartment – Get All Supplies and Don’t Let Anything Interrupt You
One of the relocation mistakes everyone should avoid is not getting enough relocation and cleaning supplies. We all want our home as clean as possible, so to be sure, wipe and scrub all rooms in detail and use the following supplies:
- Cleaning spray – you can use the multi-usage ones or get different ones for the kitchen, bathroom, and floor ones.
- Sponge – it’s probably the best tool for this task, and the great thing about it is that you can reuse it.
- Mop or a Swiffer – if you’re relocating with pets, then mop or Swiffer will be a life-changer. These tools will not only eliminate dirt but pet hair too.
- A bucket for water – when using a mop, the bucket with water is an unavoidable item.
- Vacuum cleaner – if you learned how to pack it, then don’t just leave it in the storage, but vacuum every room in your home.
- Paper towels – those can come in handy when you have to wipe the wooden surfaces.
- Cloths – for delicate and wooden objects, these supplies are the best solution.
- Rubber gloves – protect your hands in this process by using rubber gloves.
- Vinegar – when looking for a natural way of cleaning your new home, use vinegar to take off grease from any kind of surface.
- Baking soda – mix baking soda and vinegar and get the great solution to scrub away all that nasty grease.
- Garbage bags – be sure that all the trash remaining after sterilizing the whole space will end up in the garbage bags.
Do the Cleaning of the New Apartment Room By Room and Start From the Top
Once you gathered all the essential supplies for this process, you can start with cleaning. The relocation to a different state is a big change, and making it as easy as possible should be on your mind. One way to do it is to adjust faster to the new surroundings, and there’s no better method but to wash all the dirt and unpack your belongings in the space that will become your future nest. So, if you’re wondering how do you disinfect an apartment before moving in, you can begin with the ceiling. The reason is quite simple – gravity. You don’t want all that dust to end up on racks and the floor that are already cleaned.
Sweep the Cobweb and Dust From the Walls and Give the Entire Interior Completely Different Looks
If you were struggling with removing the chandelier from your old house, but you really wanted it in your future one, be sure to give it a good wiping first. Then you can proceed with installing it safely. When that step is finished, you can deal with the walls. We all know how that cobweb can be annoying, especially in the summer days. So, if you’re relocating during summer, prepare your vacuum and ensure all the corners of the house are cobweb-free.
When it comes to the walls, if there are pictures, ensure to sweep them and their frames because you might end up surprised how much dirt there can be.
How Do You Clean Before Moving In – Begin With the Kitchen First
Some rooms in the house just demand a deep cleaning, and one of them is certainly the kitchen. The reason is that there are greasy appliances that need a good and deep scrub. So, if you thought that donating the unwanted items before the move wasn’t that useful, you’ll be thankful now. Instead of spending the whole day scrubbing an old oven that doesn’t even work properly, you can buy another one and save yourself the trouble.
When you packed all the kitchen items for relocation, you cleaned them first, right? Well, imagine you have to store them on dirty surfaces and dusty kitchen cabinets? Yes, it’s not a very nice picture, so roll up your sleeves and get supplies for deep whipping.
All the Racks Should Be Cleaned Before Storing Pots and Pans
When using long-distance moving services, dusty racks and corners in your kitchen aren’t the first things that come to mind. However, if you carefully packed dishes for transportation or used packing services, and efficient long-distance movers did it instead, you surely don’t want to unpack them and put them on dirty racks and dusty cabinets. You can pass over them with a damp sponge and then absorb the remaining water with a paper towel.
Scrub Gently the Stove and Ensure the Fridge Is Completely Disinfected
The appliances you’ll utilize first are the fridge and the stove. Ensure they are cleaned thoroughly with sanitizer and completely dry before plugging them into the wall sockets. In the video below, check how even the greasiest stove is getting cleaned, and the final result will amaze you.
Pass on to the Bathroom and Make It Sparkle
When the kitchen is done, you can pass on to the place that is used as much as the room where you’re preparing your meals. It’s essential to get your bathroom thoroughly clean because the previous tenants used it for sure. That doesn’t mean you have to polish every tile, but at the beginning, disinfect all areas you’ll be using. The sink, toilet seat, shower, or tub are the first needed amenities once you move into your future place.
Still, if you think it’s better that way, you can replace some items that you’ll be directly in contact with. For example, the toilet seat.
The Bedroom Should Be Dust-Free and Ready for You to Rest in It
The place where you’ll spend much of your time is the bedroom. That’s why it’s important to ensure there are no dusty places. You don’t want to inhale that kind of air once you go to sleep. So, start vacuuming every corner and include the closets, too. Since you learned how to pack blankets and pillows for this relocation process, you’ll easily fold them in your cleaned closet and have them ready when family and friends come to visit.
Wash the Curtains and Sheets to Have a Fresh Place Where You Sleep
Curtains are known as dust catchers, especially the big and thick ones. Luckily, you can throw them into the washing machine and wash them in no time. The fresh scent will spread throughout the whole place. We all want to have a stress-free move, and not only a reliable long-distance moving company will help you with that, but pleasant odors will too. You’ll be more than pleased to spend your free moments there. The same thing stands for the sheets – the washing machine will be your best friend in this process.
How to Clean an Apartment Before Moving in – Don’t Omit to Tackle the Rest of the Space
Once you’re finished with the most important rooms, you can proceed with the rest of the place. If you don’t have as much time as you had for the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom, you can go item by item. Don’t forget about door surfaces, windows, and light switches.
Finish With the Floors, and Your Home Will Be Done
When it comes to wiping the floors, it’s best to begin with the most distant point and then proceed slowly towards the door with a mop and a bucket of water. Before you begin with this task, prepare accordingly to the type of floor you have. Here are floors that you have to pay attention to when whipping them:
- Hardwood floor – it’s pretty much easy to maintain; just ensure there isn’t any water left on the surface and avoid sharp tools that can damage it.
- Laminate – you may need a little more effort to get it cleaned, but if you vacuum it first and then mop it, it will sparkle.
- Carpets – if you’re doing it yourself, ensure you first disinfect the carpet with a steam mop and then vacuum the surface.
Everything Will Go Much Smoother Is You Have Reliable Cross-Country Movers by Your Side
The relocation process is usually mired in chaos. There are many decisions to be made, from whether to transport your vehicle to finding a reliable car shipping company, which also takes time. Especially, if it’s to take care of other services you need. So, if you need a storage facility for your belongings or any different kind of help from efficient cross country movers, then finding a relocation crew is essential. Having a positive experience with an auto transport company will give you the energy to get your future place cleaned and ready to settle in.
