Your First 24 Hours in a New Apartment or Home
You just leased a new apartment. And now it’s move-in day.
Whether you’ve just moved into a new apartment in Chicago and your rent is rising and is now twice that of your old place; or you’ve downsized to a smaller London apartment, you’ll still need to do some pre-tenancy cleaning before you unpack.
That’s a guarantee!
Your new apartment will never be easier to clean than when you’re holding the keys for the first time. Take advantage of the empty space and follow this easy cleaning checklist to make your place a tidy home for yourself — and all your beloved stuff. And if you need help, you can always count on a great maid service to help you get this one.
Check the closets
Once the closets are full of your odds and ends, it’s unlikely you’ll ever take them all back out to clean in there.
Dust out the corners, and consider lining shelves with vinyl or decorative paper (just be sure it isn’t permanent).
Shelf lining looks good, is easy to clean, and covers up mystery marks and gross stains left by previous tenants. It’s a win-win-win.
Disinfect the bathtub
You’re much more likely to enjoy a soak in the tub after you’ve disinfected away all trace of the last person who soaked there. For an easy cleaning hack, use dish soap and a sponge to wipe down the bathtub. It’ll come off nice and easy.
Shine those floors
Your floor is going to get gross enough under your own feet. You’ll definitely want to clean away the last tenant’s footprints. Steam mops are a quick and easy way to clean hardwoods, laminate, and tile. If you’re using a regular mop on hardwoods, make sure that it’s damp rather than sopping, and use a cleaner that works with the floor’s finish.
For carpeted areas, you can usually rent carpet cleaners from grocery and hardware stores—or you can call in the professionals if it’s a serious job. Depending on your lease agreement and the state of the carpet, you may even be able to talk to your landlord about a reimbursement.
Get those germs
Every surface you touch in your new apartment—from the thermostat to the light switch—has been touched thousands of times by the previous tenants. Make sure you take your time on this section and give a very thorough cleanse. You might even find other home repairs that you’ll need from the landlord or owner.
Cabinets, too
You’re going to eat off of those plates. Don’t plunk them into the cabinets until you’d eat off their surfaces, too. Wipe them down, scrub away anything suspicious with baking soda and water, and add a liner for good measure.