Whether you’re moving out of your current apartment or into a new one, you should always do a thorough cleaning before your move. This will help you make a smooth transition into your new home and ensure that you get a full deposit back.
Before you get started, make sure that you have all of the right tools on hand. These items will make the job easier and will also help you get the job done faster.
Kitchen
If you’re moving into a new apartment or house, it’s important to ensure that your kitchen is clean and tidy before you begin cooking in the space. This will help you reduce the stress of the post-move period and ensure that everything looks as good as possible once you’re set up.
As with any other room, the kitchen should be wiped down and cleaned on a daily basis to keep it looking its best. You may also want to deep clean the kitchen on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, depending on how often it’s used.
Start with a thorough vacuuming to remove all the dust and dirt that’s settled on the floor. You can do this with a broom or an electro-static dry duster (like a Swiffer Sweeper), and make sure to get right up to the baseboards.
Next, use the telescopic attachment of your vacuum cleaner to clean high zones like ceilings, light fixtures, fans and vents. You should also dust the tops of cabinets and appliances.
Another important step in cleaning the kitchen is removing any food and other debris from the refrigerator and freezer. This will help you avoid any lingering bacteria or allergens before you begin cooking in the new home.
You should also use a specialized sink cleaner to scrub away any grime on your sink and faucets. You can use a mixture of powdered cleaning products that contain fine abrasive particles to scrub them clean. Or you can use a spray bottle filled with chlorine-free bleach to spray them clean. Rinse well and wipe down with a damp cloth or sponge. This will make your sink sparkle and look brand new!
Bathroom
The bathroom is the room that’s likely to be used the most by you and your guests, so it’s a good idea to get rid of any build-up before moving in. The shower, toilet, sink, and other surfaces can be pretty dirty, but with a few simple tips you’ll have the room sparkling in no time.
Start with the ceiling and the corners, using a soft duster to remove dust and cobwebs, then vacuum up dirt in those hard-to-reach spots, like vents and exhaust fans. When you’re done with those, move on to the walls and doors. Use a damp sponge to wipe down painted walls and a cleaner to wipe down wallpapered surfaces.
While cleaning, be sure to check under movable items and around the base of toilets and sinks. You may also need to sanitize the toilet brush in the bowl by pouring some bleach or another disinfectant into it.
Before you begin scrubbing the tiles, be sure to spray the grout with a vinegar solution or bleach if there’s any build-up. This will make the task much easier, and you’ll be able to scrub in between the tiles too.
Rinse your sponge or scrub brush numerous times as you go along, and change the water in your mop as needed. This will help ensure your tile is clean and that your grout stays clean for longer.
You can also use shaving cream to sanitize the shower screen glass, or you can try a 50:50 vinegar and water solution on the mirror to eliminate any streaks. These cleaning tricks will make your bathroom shine brighter, and they can be applied without leaving a sticky residue behind.
Bedroom
The bedroom is a shady place to spend much of your waking hours, but it does have one very cool feature – you’ll have to be there to see it. To get your head around it, a bit of planning and some elbow grease may be all that’s needed. Having a functional master bedroom is the best way to start the new chapter of your life on the right foot. The most common bedroom complaints among apartment dwellers are lack of privacy and excessive clutter in the form of clothes, furniture and trinkets. A few well-chosen items may turn your bedroom into your own personal palace. The best part?
Living Area
Getting your apartment clean before you move in is a great way to ensure that your new place has an odorless, tidy appearance. It also helps you get rid of any clutter before you begin to fill it with your belongings.
Cleaning a living area before moving in is easy and can be done by anyone who has basic household skills. The key is to start with the highest spots and work your way down. This will help you avoid sweeping or vacuuming the same areas again and allow dust and dirt to fall to the ground.
Another important thing to do is to make sure that every surface in your apartment is thoroughly cleaned and disinfected before you move in. This includes light switches, knobs, dials, and anything else that has a handle or can be touched.
It is also a good idea to wipe down the light bulbs. Many of them have been sitting on the shelf for a long time and will have built up a lot of grime over the years.
Carpets are another area of your apartment that can easily get dirty, so be sure to vacuum and mop them after you finish cleaning the rest of the room. If your carpet is stained, you can use a commercial carpet cleaner to remove the stain.
Ceiling fans are another easy way for dust to hide, so make sure to clean them before you move in. This will not only make them look clean, but it will also keep you from breathing in other people’s dust when you turn them on.
When it comes to cleaning your apartment, be sure to follow a checklist and start with the highest items first to avoid sweeping or vacuuming the same areas over and over again. This will save you a ton of time and effort as you move along.
Floors
Whether you’re moving into an apartment for the first time or just need a fresh start, cleaning the floors will go a long way toward making your new place look its best. The key to a successful floor clean is to follow a basic sequence: dust, vacuum, and mop (wet, dry or steam).
Start from the top by cleaning the ceilings and walls. This will help ensure that your freshly cleaned surfaces don’t get dirty again from the dust you kick up when cleaning higher areas like doors, cabinets and window sills.
Next, sweep up the floors, especially if they are wood or laminate. Make sure to sweep under any heating vents and appliances, too. For hardwood or laminate wood-like floors, wipe down with a mild soap to remove any dirt.
If you have carpet, you’ll probably want to vacuum it first and spot-clean any stains. This can be done with a vacuum cleaner or carpet shampooer, which you can rent at most home-improvement stores.
Before you begin, make sure to check your lease agreement to see if your landlord will cover carpet cleaning. This can save you time and money, since you don’t have to pay for professional carpet cleaning yourself.
Another important thing to do is replace your air filters, which prevent a lot of dust from getting into your air supply. These are usually in every room in the house. Also, consider switching to more energy-efficient light bulbs to reduce your electricity bill. Finally, double-check closets to make sure you haven’t left any clutter behind. And, of course, don’t forget to clean your baseboards. This will make a huge difference in the overall look of your apartment.