Whether you rent or own, finding a new home is an exciting venture! Moving in, though, can be anything but. From packing up your belongings, to scheduling movers and setting your move-in date, a lot goes into planning for the big move.
However, before you get too comfortable in your new space, there are some cleaning tasks you’ll want to be sure you take care of before settling in. So grab your gloves and favorite all-purpose cleaner, and read on for our checklist of cleaning tasks to complete on – or before! – moving day to ensure your home is clean, sanitary, and ready to host you and your loved ones.
Sanitize the Fridge
Refrigerators can host a lot of germs, so we recommend starting your cleaning tasks with the fridge, first. Remove all of the shelves and drawers if you can and clean them in the sink with warm, soapy water. Next, use an all-purpose cleaner (or equal parts water and white vinegar) and wipe down the entire interior of your fridge. If there’s any stuck-on gunk or stains, let the cleaning mixture sit on it for a bit, or try to scrub it off with a magic eraser.
Make sure the interior, along with shelves and drawers, are completely dry, then return them to the fridge. Repeat the same steps for the freezer before storing your own food and beverages.
Wipe Down High-Touch Surfaces
While some new homes undergo a professional cleaning before new owners occupy it, a lot do not. In fact, landlords often only require that previous tenants simply clear out a space, with no cleaning requirements before new tenants move in. That means surfaces and high-touch areas (like doorknobs and lightswitches, for example) can harbor a lot of germs and bacteria.
Before moving in your boxes, grab a multipurpose cleaner and wipe down surfaces, doorknobs, light switches, and appliances to ensure they’re sanitized and ready for you to use.
Disinfect Your Dishwasher
It may seem like an oxymoron to clean your dishwasher, given its sole purpose is to clean your dishes. However, dishwasher filters and the inside of the machine need to be cleaned out at least monthly to get rid of built-up gunk and debris from food particles.
Before running your new home’s dishwasher cycle, clean it out by removing the filter and running it under hot water. You can then soak it for about an hour in a mix of equal parts bleach and hot water to sanitize it. Then, replace your filter and sprinkle a layer of baking soda in the bottom of the dishwasher. Fill a cup with white vinegar, place it on the top rack of the dishwasher, and run the dishwasher on the hottest cycle. Once complete, your dishwasher will be as good as new!
Wash Your Washing Machine
If the previous tenants used the washing machine in your new home, it’s a good idea to run a cleansing cycle before washing your own clothes. This not only ensures it’s clean, but also gets rid of residue from the previous tenant’s detergent, which you (or your family members) could be sensitive to.
To clean your machine, fill the appliance with 1 quart of bleach and hot water. Run a full cycle, then fill the machine with 1 quart of white vinegar and run another cycle on hot water. Follow it up by wiping the machine down with all-purpose cleaner, and it’s ready for you to use!
Do you have a go-to task to complete when moving into a new home? Share it with us in the comments below!
