Guide to disinfecting your new home before moving in
Make a plan
While the moving process is undeniably very stressful and complicated, there is a stage we all enjoy. This is the moment when we get a chance to decorate and organize the new living space to suit our taste and various needs. However, no matter how well the new home we are moving into has been maintained, paying great attention to deep cleaning and disinfection is a must. To make sure you conduct these two critical tasks properly, we offer you a comprehensive guide to disinfecting your new home before moving in. Study it closely and make a plan. The sooner you conduct this task successfully, the sooner you will be able to enjoy the positive and refreshing change in your life.
Professional help or a DIY option?
Whether you will hire professionals to conduct the disinfection of your new home will depend on several factors. First and foremost, it will depend greatly on your financial situation. Buying a new home or even renting causes significant expenses. You need to make some calculations to be completely positive you can afford to pay professionals to take care of this task for you. Secondly, time is important as well; as you're an amateur, you will need more time to organize the process. Also, you cannot be sure whether you have done the job well enough. As with some home repairs you shouldn’t do yourself, sometimes it is an intelligent choice to leave the disinfecting to the professionals.
Weigh your options, the pros and cons of each alternative. Once you find a family-friendly home you have desired for so long, do not let a task like this spoil your joy. Make sure your new home is squeaky clean and freshly disinfected so that your dear family can enjoy it once you move in.
Things to pay attention to
When disinfecting your new home before moving in, you need to pay attention to literally everything - every area and surface. Understandably, you should focus on those areas and surfaces which have been frequently used or touched, but this does not exclude taking care of those easily overlooked, hard-to-reach places. If the previous tenants had maintained the home properly, cleaning and disinfecting will not be a difficult task. However, regardless of the condition of your new home, completing these tasks is something you must not avoid.
Cleaning prior to disinfection
Before disinfecting your new home, you will need to conduct thorough and deep cleaning. Get the necessary cleaning tools and chemicals and make a plan. You will probably need a few days to finish everything, so a to-do list would help you stay organized and not forget anything.
We strongly advise you to avoid using dangerous chemicals as much as you can, as you shouldn’t inhale them for too long. Also, they can damage your skin if you do not wear proper protective equipment, like rubber gloves, for example.
An excellent and healthy alternative is to use white vinegar. If you combine an equal part of white vinegar and water, you get a very efficient and yet healthy disinfectant. Using fresh lemon juice can also help when cleaning your bathroom and trying to get rid of those persistent water stains and grime.
Some of the basic cleaning tools you will need include microfiber cloths, a broom, a mop, some soap, and a vacuum cleaner. If you have hired professional movers to help your family move hassle-free anywhere in California, or any other state for that matter, you will have enough time to focus on proper cleaning and prepare the new home for the arrival of your precious belongings.
Cleaning strategy professionals suggest
As we have previously stated, having a cleaning plan or a checklist is very helpful. Professional cleaners suggest cleaning high surfaces first. In other words, you should start with ceiling fan blades, if there are any, or changing air filters. Then proceed with the tops of doors, windows and window treatments. The fact underlying this approach is that cleaning higher areas will inevitably cause some mess in the areas that are low. If you start the other way around, you will needlessly clean the same areas twice.
Clean all the handles, light switches, and faucets thoroughly. Pay close attention to the cleanliness of your bathroom and kitchen.
The final stage of the cleaning process should include cleaning the floors. Regardless of the type, each floor should be vacuumed first so as to remove debris. You should start from corners and edges and then proceed to other areas. After vacuuming, mopping your floors will make them perfectly clean.
Use EPA-registered disinfectants only
Having cleaned your new home thoroughly, you can start with the disinfection. It is of key importance to use EPA-registered disinfectants because they will protect both your health and the environment. However, you have to be very careful and strictly follow the instructions on the label. Ventilate the space well enough after each use of these disinfectants.
Using properly diluted household bleach is a viable solution for disinfection. Check the label first to be sure the bleach can be used in this way because there are those which can only be used on surfaces of a certain type.
Various alcohol solutions are also an option when disinfecting your new home before moving in. Anything with at least 70% alcohol is a good choice.
An antibacterial spray will eliminate any germs in your bathroom and prepare the space for moving in. Remember to buy and replace the toilet seat because you can never disinfect it well enough. Pay attention to details, like toilet paper holders, for example, and disinfect these too.
Pest control
Besides requesting a thorough home inspection prior to buying your new home, you need to make sure it is completely pest free. Disinfecting your new home before moving in will not be enough if it turns out you have a pest problem. Hence, add this parameter to your list of key factors of the utmost importance when choosing a home for your family.
Cleaning strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic the whole world is struggling through at the moment has changed our everyday habits considerably. Proper maintenance and disinfection of your living space is now a must and a task you have to approach with the utmost commitment to your own and your family’s well being. This is particularly important when you are moving into your new home. Make sure to obtain enough cleaning supplies because you will have to clean all the surfaces thoroughly prior to using a disinfectant. Remember to wear gloves and a mask while involved in this activity. When you clean the surfaces with soap and water, disinfect them carefully and make sure there is good ventilation in all the rooms. Once you move in, apply the cleaning routine on a daily basis, paying the most attention to the frequently used areas. Only this way will you reduce the chances of contracting the virus to a minimum and provide maximum safety to your whole family.
