There are many reasons why you will want to give your new rental home a thorough clean before you move in. You never know what took place in the property before, and it is usually best not to think about it.
It Pays To Be Organized
Cleaning your new home with all of your living stuff around you is far from ideal. It is best to clean first, before you move your things in. Take note of everything in your new home that needs to be cleaned, so you can work through the list systematically.
Start With The Kitchen First
The kitchen is a good place to start, because when you have finished you can take well earned tea breaks in there and feel good about your surroundings. Dirty kitchens are not good, and you will want to make sure that you clean every surface.
You can start with any appliances and particularly the cooker. Use a heavy duty cleaner here, and also baking soda and water can help. Have plenty of sponges and a cloth to hand. Take all of the elements off of the stove, and thoroughly clean the top of the cooker using a brush that will not scratch.
Put the elements and any metal trays in soak. Use hot water with lots of soap for this. If the oven needs a clean (very likely), then use an oven cleaner to do this. You will need to apply the cleaner, and then leave it for around half an hour so that it has time to work well.
If you encounter a lot of grease up top, then use a good grease remover if your cleaning materials are not cutting it. Protect the kitchen floor with strong paper, so that if there are any drips you will not end up with stains.
Tackle the fridge and freezer next. They should be empty, but give them a good clean anyway. Remove all the draws and other components and wash them thoroughly. You can soak them if necessary. Then clean the inside shelves and walls that remain. Clean the outside of the fridge as well.
If you have a separate freezer, then unplug it first and give the inside and out a good clean. When cleaning fridges and freezers, be sure to use a soft cloth so that you do not leave any scratches on the surfaces. Don’t forget to move the fridge away from the wall to see what lurks there. Clean thoroughly behind it.
Counter tops and cabinets are next. Use a mild cleaner for the insides of kitchen cabinets. If the cabinets are not lined then use your own liners. Clean the tops and sides of cabinets too. You can remove light grease stains with baking soda and water. Ensure that the kitchen counters are spotless. This means cleaning in between any cracks which you can do with a small blunt knife.
Sinks can be really unpleasant, so use bleach that is chlorine free here. Include any sink plugs in this process too.
Bathroom
Best to close your mind when you are doing this! Scrub the inside of the toilet bowl and if there are any hard water stains, then soak them in vinegar overnight. Clean the outside and under the seat as well.
For baths and showers it is best to use a special cleaner, so that any grime that has built up can be removed. Check the grouting for mould, and remove this carefully with a wire brush. Make sure that you clean right into the corners. If the shower has a glass door, then remove hard water stains with specialist cleaning products.
Clean the sinks and any counters and cabinets in a similar way to the kitchen. Clean the mirror thoroughly as well. The bathroom floor can be cleaned with a tile cleaning product or if it is wooden then a speciality cleaner.
Other Rooms
If the landlord assures you that the carpets have been steam cleaned then thoroughly vacuum all of them. Remove all items from wardrobes and other storage units, and clean these with a duster. Dust all of the light fittings, skirting boards, electrical outlets and any other fittings.
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