A Full How-To Guide on Cleaning a New Home

As you may already know or at least will come to know if you’re reading this guide:

Transitioning into a new home is a significant life event that brings joy and new beginnings.

However, it also entails ensuring that your new property is clean, hygienic and inviting.

This comprehensive guide aims to provide you with detailed instructions on how to thoroughly clean a newly purchased property, addressing every room and surface to ensure your new home is in top condition.

Essential Cleaning Supplies

Before embarking on your cleaning mission, it’s crucial to gather all necessary supplies. Having the right tools and products will make the process more efficient and thorough.

Here’s a list of must-have cleaning supplies: 

• All-purpose cleaner: Suitable for most surfaces, ensuring versatility.
• Glass cleaner: Essential for streak-free windows and mirrors.
• Disinfectant: Necessary for killing germs on various surfaces.
• Baking soda: Great for scrubbing and deodorizing different areas.
• Vinegar/Vinegar solution: A natural cleaner with multiple uses, especially effective on stubborn stains.
• Microfiber cloths: Effective for dusting and wiping without scratching surfaces.
• Sponges: Useful for scrubbing different surfaces, from countertops to bathroom tiles.
• Mop and bucket: Necessary for cleaning floors, both tiled and wooden.
• Vacuum cleaner: Essential for carpets, rugs, and hard floors.
• Broom and dustpan: Basic tools for sweeping up debris and dirt.
• Rubber gloves: Protect your hands from harsh chemicals and dirt.
• Trash bags/Skips: For disposing of debris, old items, and waste.

Initial Preparation

Safety First: Wear gloves and a mask if possible to protect yourself from dust, allergens, and cleaning chemicals. Ensure proper ventilation when using strong cleaning products to avoid inhaling fumes.

Room-by-Room Cleaning Guide

Cleaning a new property involves addressing each room with specific tasks tailored to the unique requirements of the space. Below is a detailed room-by-room guide to help you achieve a spotless home.

Living Rooms

Firstly, we will start at the center of the home, where families gather, and guests are entertained. Ensuring it is clean and welcoming is essential for future memories.

1.   Dusting: Start by dusting ceiling fans, light fixtures, and vents. Use an extendable duster to reach high places and a microfiber cloth for lower surfaces to capture dust effectively.
2.   Windows: Clean windows inside and out using a glass cleaner. Wipe down window sills, tracks, and blinds. For stubborn grime, use a mixture of water and vinegar. Be ready to hire a local window cleaner to do any exteriors and high places.
3.   Surfaces: Wipe down all surfaces, including shelves, mantles, and baseboards, with an all-purpose cleaner. Use a damp microfiber cloth to avoid spreading dust around.
4.   Furniture: If the furniture came with the property, vacuum and clean upholstery. Use appropriate cleaners for different materials such as leather or fabric.
5.   Floors: Vacuum carpets thoroughly, paying special attention to corners and under furniture. For hard floors, sweep first to remove loose dirt, then mop with a suitable cleaner. Consider steam cleaning carpets if they are heavily soiled.

Kitchens

The kitchen may be the most loved area of a home making it a high-traffic area that requires thorough cleaning to ensure it is sanitary and ready for food preparation.

1.   Appliances: Clean the inside and outside of all appliances, including the oven, refrigerator, microwave, and dishwasher. Remove shelves and drawers for thorough cleaning. Use a mild detergent and water solution to clean the interior of the refrigerator.
2.   Cabinets: Wipe down cabinet interiors and exteriors with a disinfectant. Pay close attention to handles and knobs, which can harbour bacteria.
3.   Countertops: Use an all-purpose cleaner to sanitize countertops. For stubborn stains, use baking soda and water paste. Ensure the cleaner is safe for the type of countertop material you have.
4.   Sink and Faucet: Scrub the sink and faucet with baking soda and vinegar to remove stains and build-up. For stainless steel sinks, use a specialized cleaner to avoid scratches.
5.   Floors: Sweep and mop the kitchen floor, paying special attention to corners and under appliances. Use a degreasing cleaner for kitchen floors if necessary to remove any oil or food residue.

Bathrooms

Bathrooms are critical areas that require meticulous cleaning to ensure they are hygienic and free from mold and mildew.

1.   Toilets: Use a toilet cleaner and brush to thoroughly clean the inside of the bowl. Wipe down the exterior with disinfectant, including the base and tank. Don’t forget to clean under the seat and around hinges.
2.   Showers and Tubs: Remove soap scum and mildew with a bathroom cleaner. Use a grout brush for tile surfaces. For heavy mildew, consider using a bleach solution, but ensure the area is well-ventilated.
3.   Sinks and Countertops: Clean and disinfect all surfaces, paying extra attention to faucet handles and any fixtures. Use a non-abrasive cleaner to avoid damaging surfaces.
4.   Mirrors: Wipe mirrors with glass cleaner for a streak-free finish. Use a microfiber cloth to avoid leaving lint.
5.   Floors: Mop the bathroom floors with a disinfectant solution. Don’t forget to clean behind the toilet and under any rugs or mats.

Bedrooms

Bedrooms should be a haven of cleanliness and tranquility, free from dust and allergens.

1.   Dusting: Dust ceiling fans, light fixtures, and furniture. Use a microfiber cloth to capture dust efficiently without spreading it.
2.   Windows: Clean windows and window sills. Wash or dust any window treatments such as blinds or curtains. Consider laundering fabric curtains if they appear dusty or give off a foul smell.
3.   Closets: Wipe down closet shelves and vacuum or mop closet floors. Check for any mold or mildew, especially if the closet is damp or musty.
4.   Floors: Vacuum carpets thoroughly, especially if previous owners had pets. For hard floors, mop with a suitable cleaner. Use a carpet deodorizer if necessary to remove lingering odors,

Other Areas

Don’t neglect hallways, staircases, laundry rooms, and garages, as these areas can accumulate a lot of dust and dirt over time.

Hallways and Staircases: Dust railings, light fixtures, and corners. Vacuum or mop the floors, paying attention to high-traffic areas that may need extra cleaning.

Laundry Room: Clean the inside of the washer and dryer, removing any lint or residue. Wipe down surfaces and mop the floor. Clean out any lint traps and check for potential mold around seals.

Garage: Sweep out the garage and wipe down any shelving or storage units. Dispose of any hazardous materials properly and consider power washing the floor if it’s particularly dirty.

Bonus Deep Cleaning Tips

For an even deeper clean, consider these additional tips to ensure your new home is as clean as possible:

Carpet Cleaning: Hiring a professional carpet cleaner can remove deeply embedded dirt and allergens, making your carpets feel as good as new. Obviously, if the carpet is damaged forget this step as it is a waste of money and will likely need to be replaced entirely.

Tile and Grout: Use a grout brush and cleaner to remove built-up dirt and grime from tile surfaces. For severe stains, a steam cleaner can be highly effective.

HVAC Vents: Clean air vents and replace filters to ensure good air quality. Consider having the ducts professionally cleaned if they appear very dusty or haven’t been cleaned in a long time.

Baseboards and Trim: Wipe down baseboards and trim to remove dust and dirt. Use a damp cloth with mild detergent for best results, ensuring you reach all crevices.  Repeat this step for maximum effect.

Our Final Thoughts

Cleaning a newly bought property is an essential step in making it feel like your own, whether it’s simply just your new living space or you are renting it out as an investment, by following the comprehensive steps outlined in this guide, with a bit of time, effort, well, and a little help from some cleaning experts, you can ensure that every part of your new house is clean, ready for it to become a home. Enjoy! 

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