Imagine that you've just unloaded and unpacked everything in your new home. You've spent some time arranging your furniture just the way you want it. You've arranged your knickknacks just the way you want them, made the beds, and organized your kitchen.
Only when you take a step back to admire your handiwork do you realize that your newly organized home is a dirty, dusty mess. Now, you're going to have to move furniture around so you can vacuum under it and shift your knickknacks so you can dust everything; cleaning is just going to be more of a hassle.
You can avoid this frustration by making sure your new home is squeaky clean before you get everything else settled. Also, cleaning your home prior to unpacking gives you the opportunity to scour surfaces that would otherwise be covered and to get to areas that would normally be blocked or hard to reach. The best scenario is one in which you can get to your new home and make sure it's clean before your movers even arrive with your belongings.
Cleaning tips
Hopefully, your home will have already been cleaned for you before you move in, but in case it hasn't been, here are some cleaning tips so you can do it yourself:
- Get the appropriate cleaners - Unfortunately, there's not really a cleaner out there for every job. Before you start cleaning, gather all the supplies you'll need for each cleaning job. Here are some basics:
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- Rubber gloves
- Dusting cloths and dust spray
- Paper towels
- Sponges
- Glass cleaner (for windows and mirrors)
- Antibacterial cleaner (for countertops, sinks, bathtubs, etc.)
- Mop, bucket, and floor cleaner
- Vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner bags (if necessary for your model of vacuum)
- Grease remover (for stovetops and oven)
- Trash bags (for any trash you find or create while cleaning)
- Start from the top - Dust and dirt are subject to gravity just like anything else. It's best to start cleaning from the top and work your way to the bottom. That means starting with the highest things (e.g., mantels, paintings, dresser tops) on the top floor of your home, and working down to mopping and vacuuming the floor. Next, move onto the stairs, and then repeat the process for each subsequent floor.
- Go from dry cleaning to wet cleaning - Dry cleaning includes dusting, sweeping, and vacuuming. Doing this first gets the majority of dirt and grime out of the way before you use surface cleaners and the mop. If you use wet cleaners first, you're likely to just smear the dirt around.