Deep cleaning when you move into your new home, townhouse, or apartment is a necessity. The people who lived in the residence before you likely left some dirt or debris in the space, even if they cleaned before leaving. Even if you're moving into a brand new property, you'll still want to do some deep cleaning to make sure you feel comfortable in your new place, even if a cleaning crew came to the residence before your move-in date.
It's usually easier to clean your home before you move in since you won't have to worry about moving furniture and accessories around. However, even if you have to wait until you move in to start cleaning, here are some practical tips for deep cleaning your house after you move.
Clean High, Then Clean Low
Remember that dust can settle on more than countertops and floors. Overhead lighting, shelves, ceiling fans, and other small structures in the home can collect dust as well. These items may even have more dust because they're not cleaned as often as cabinets and tables.
It's best to clean light fixtures, high shelves, and ceiling fans before cleaning floors and countertops. If you work your way down when it comes to cleaning, you can eliminate all the dust in your home during your first deep cleaning, and each time you clean. Keep in mind that the blades from ceiling fans can rain dust onto the floor. Use an old pillowcase over every ceiling fan blade and wipe away from the middle of the fan. Most of the dust will go into the case, and you can get rid of the pillowcase when you're finished cleaning.
When you clean the floors, be sure to choose a device that is deemed the best vacuum for pet hair. This will ensure that you're getting all the dust and debris from the floor, which is very beneficial if you have family members who suffer from allergies and asthma.
Clean the Refrigerator First
There are a few things you can put off while you clean everything else in your home, but you have to clean the refrigerator right away to store your perishable goods. This task shouldn't take you longer than 20 minutes if the fridge doesn't have any food in it yet. If you can, remove the shelves and drawers so you can clean each section of the fridge thoroughly with warm water and dish soap.
To clean the inside of the fridge, mix a solution of white vinegar and water. Spray the solution in the fridge and wipe it clean with a clean cloth. If you see any stuck-on food stains, let the vinegar mixture sit in the fridge for a few minutes. Make sure the shelves or drawers are completely dry before you put them back in the fridge. You can follow these steps to clean the freezer as well.
Clean the Rest of the Kitchen
Once the refrigerator is clean you can start cleaning the remainder of the kitchen. Start cleaning the fixtures and the ceiling corners, along with the cabinets. Next, clean the appliances including the sink, dishwasher, microwave, stovetop, and oven.
When you clean the cabinets, make sure you cleanse the outside and inside of the cabinets thoroughly and wipe the handles down with a disinfectant. You can mix a solution of hydrogen peroxide and baking soda to get rid of stubborn stains on the stovetop. Pour the baking soda into a small bowl and add the hydrogen peroxide to create a paste. Spread the solution over the stove and leave it on the surface for about 15 minutes before scrubbing it off.
Deep-Clean the Bathrooms
When you clean the bathroom, it's crucial to disinfect while you're removing spots and stains. Liquid dish soap can help you get the job done, but you should follow the detergent wipe-down with an antibacterial spray to make sure all germs and impurities are removed from all surfaces.
When it comes to toilet seats, it's best to replace them. This won't cost as much as it's an effective way to get rid of any additional germs so you can be sure the toilet seats are clean.
Don't forget to cleanse the areas that you may miss when you're just freshening up the bathroom on a regular day. For instance, make sure the light switches, door handles, faucets, and toilet paper holders are cleaned and sanitized.
Roll Up Your Sleeves
Moving into a new home is stressful and cleaning will be the last thing you want to do. Hopefully, by following these tips, you can effectively clean by following this organized structure and remain level-headed. Follow along with these steps so you and your family can live in your new space comfortably.