What to Do When Your New Home Is Not Clean

12/12/2018 (Permalink)

A new home is a fresh start. Unfortunately, sometimes your new home isn't all that fresh. If your new home is less than immaculate, take these steps to clean it before you move in.

Eliminate Dust and Grime

Your new house looked clean enough when you viewed it, but you probably didn't peek under the stove or look closely at the cabinet interiors. A lot of dust, dirt, and grime can hide in out-of-the-way places. Handle these cleaning jobs before unboxing your stuff so you can unpack everything inside a fresh, clean home.

Dust high to low

Grab your microfiber cloths and duster and dust every surface in the house, starting with ceiling fans and crown molding, working your way down. Rather than a feather duster, Apartment Therapy recommends an electrostatic or microfiber duster.

Clean handles and switches

Doorknobs and light switches stained with grime are an unsightly reminder of just how dirty everyday surfaces get. Gently wipe doorknobs, cabinet handles, light switch plates, and other contact areas, taking care not to scrub away paints and finishes.

Clean under appliances

Pull out the refrigerator, stove, and other large appliances to remove crumbs and dust hidden underneath, then make a note on your calendar to do it again in six months.

Wash inside cabinets

Don't unpack your clean dishes into dirty cupboards. Wipe down cabinet interiors before unpacking. If you prefer to use shelf liners, now is the time to apply them.

Clean outdoor surfaces

No one wants to look at a stained walkway or driveway when pulling up to their new house. Clean these areas so your house looks as great from the outside as it does inside. Care.com also recommends scrubbing curbside trash bins and degreasing the garage floor.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

Some messes can't be seen with the naked eye. If your home's indoor air is dirty, you won't see it, but you might have trouble breathing or develop mysterious allergy symptoms. That's especially true if mold is hiding in your home. Even if you can't see it, mold can cause unpleasant symptoms such as coughing and sneezing, headaches, and rashes. If your asthma gets worse after moving into your house or you develop respiratory symptoms, take these steps to eliminate contaminants and improve your indoor air.

Replace the HVAC air filter

Your home's air filter is an important tool in the fight against indoor air pollution, but it can't do its job if it's clogged and dirty. Remove the old air filter and install a new one as soon as you move in. If anyone in the family has asthma or allergies, upgrade to a high-performance air filter.

Deep clean the carpets

Carpeting traps allergens like dust mites and dander in your home. If the previous owners didn't vacuum regularly, your new home's carpet could be the cause of your symptoms. Schedule a professional carpet cleaning to eliminate build-up in carpeting and be sure to dry it thoroughly, as wet carpeting invites mold. If you have allergies, consider replacing carpet with hard flooring.

Clean vents and exhaust fans

Air vents and exhaust fans are excellent hiding places for mold spores, especially in damp areas like bathrooms. Spray vents and fans with a solution of vinegar and water and wipe down. You may need to repeat the process a few times to completely eliminate mold spores.

It's frustrating to move into a house that isn't as clean as you'd like, especially if you left your own house spotless. Sometimes, the extra effort is a trade-off for a good deal, such as when buying a bank-owned property or a fixer-upper. However, sometimes sellers simply have a different interpretation of “broom clean” than you do. With a little elbow grease and time (or the help of a pro!), you can get your new home sparkling clean for move-in day.

SERVPRO of Newark is here to help you with these services. (302) 733-7933