If you just found your new house or apartment, congratulations! But, before you move in, you have one last hurdle: cleaning out your new home. It might be tempting to skip over a deep cleaning and move all of your stuff in now. But it’s a lot easier to clean an empty house than a full one. Here are some tips to get you started.
Start High, End Low
We’re not talking mood swings here. Professional cleaners start at the highest point of a room. And they save the floor for last. That way, they won’t have to clean the floors twice because of the dust and dirt falling down from above.
Double-check All Appliances
If your home comes already equipped with appliances, the previous owner should have cleaned them. But they might not have been as thorough as you would have liked. Check behind and under all large appliances. If you only have time to clean one appliance, choose the refrigerator. Give that sucker a good scrub down with a strong cleaner to kill any germs lurking inside.
Use the Right Tools
You don’t need anything fancy to clean a house. The best tool is a good vacuum with hose extensions. You can vacuum just about anything, from wood floors, to blinds, to ceiling fixtures. For bathrooms, grab a toothbrush. Use it around faucets and on tile. If you’re not too squeamish, you can even use it inside your toilet. Just be careful not to scrub too hard on old grout. Or you might have to add re-grouting to your to-do list.
Get Professional Help
You might be tempted to save a few dollars and clean everything yourself. But if you have a filthy chimney or hairy carpets, calling the professionals will save you a lot of hassle. An Early Times Home Solutions chimney sweep can have your chimney cleaned in less than an hour and will make far less of a mess than a DIYer. A carpet cleaner will come with all of his own equipment, so you won’t have to beg or borrow an expensive machine.
One final tip: bribe a few friends to help you clean. Call it a “house-warming” party and as long as you provide plenty of pizza and do the dirtiest jobs yourself, you’ll still be friends at the end of the day. Best of all, you’ll have a clean house!
