apartment-cleaning

5 Cleaning Tips You Need Before Moving Into Your New Apartment

You’re probably too excited to move into your new apartment or house. Perhaps you already have a picture of what you want your new home to look like. Unfortunately, it’s not always a smooth transition with previous tenants leaving behind some filthy remnants or the dust gathering in every corner of the house due to no occupancy. Your new home needs some deep cleaning before you even start unpacking. Here are five cleaning tips to get you started.

1. Start high

Dust settles everywhere, but the floors and countertops don’t hold much due to regular cleaning. On the other hand, ceiling fans, top shelves, and overhead lighting fixtures are notorious for getting grimy since they don’t get the cleaning touch regularly. It would be logical to start from the top, clean all the items and fittings placed high in every room then recollect all the dirt at the bottom.

cleaning

2. Replacing the toilet seat

The toilet seat is certainly one of the most important seats in a home. The thought that anyone else used that seat regardless of the hygiene levels can make you sick. Make a quick stop at the store and get yourself a new toilet seat and cover. They are easy to install and equally inexpensive. The next stop is scrubbing the toilet hard with some bleach and toilet detergent to give it a sparkling look and a freshened smell. Don’t forget to give the floors a good scrub too.

3. Disinfect bathrooms

Everyone likes a clean bathroom where you can look up to every day after a hectic workday. Whether it’s a shower, tub or both, you will need to scrub through all the surfaces in that room. For easy cleaning, a new clean sponge and dish soap will do the trick. If there are any stains, you may want to turn to a tougher detergent and baking soda. Be sure to sanitize the soap dish, light switches, door handles, faucets, and sinks. The medicine cabinets and any other shelves located in the bathroom should count in the in-depth cleaning process. This should leave your bathroom clean and germ-free.

4. Clean the refrigerator

A deep scrub for the fridge is vital whether the appliance looks clean or not. Throw away any food leftovers from the refrigerator. Detach the shelves and drawers and wash them independently in some warm water and soap. For the interior part of the fridge, mix equal parts of water and white vinegar and dip in a clean sponge or rag to clean all the surfaces. Repeat the process with clean water to take out any remaining streaks of food left behind.

5. Finish with the bottom

Now that everything located at the top looks and feels clean, you are ready to finish with the floors. You could start by sweeping and discarding all the dirt and debris. Depending on your type of floor, you will mop gently, cleaning the top surface from corner to corner. For instance with wood floors, you are not required to use water, get a wood-cleaning detergent that’s safe for the wooden floors. For carpet cleaning, you will want to use a steam cleaner or call in a professional cleaner to handle the tasks that you are conversant with.

vacuum

Using these five tips, you should be able to finish the entire cleaning process. The tips will usher you into a clean house that you can comfortably turn into a home.

moving

Indispensable Moving Advice for Your Long Distance Relocation

The process of preparing for a move is always an exciting one. Amidst the excitement, however, is a serious amount of stress and anxiety. These feelings are only compounded during a long distance move, where the stakes are higher, the planning more intense, and the move that much more exhausting.

Gearing Up for a Long Distance Move

Getting ready to make a home in another city or country require a lot of work. Whether this is your fifth time moving or your fifteenth, every long distance move requires a unique level of planning that other moves don’t. Read on for six ways to make your long distance move easier to handle.

moving-advice

1. Draft a Moving Plan

Relocating across the country or around the world isn’t easy. A long-distance move requires a significant amount of planning. One of the most important tips for a long distance move is to get your planning started as soon as possible. Similarly, make sure you have a checklist featuring everything you need to get done before moving day.

2. Stick to a Schedule

Even with a plan, you’ll have to make sure you stick to a strict schedule to ensure everything is in place for moving day. Your schedule will help you stay on track with planning, packing, booking the moving company, and everything in between. Create your moving schedule by adding important dates to your calendar, along with alerts to remind you as the days get closer to your deadlines.

3. Consult with Several Moving Companies

Never choose the first moving company you come across. It is important for you to consult with more than one company to compare rates and review estimates. This should be done about four weeks before you plan to move, but earlier is better. An accurate and affordable estimate will make budgeting for your move easier.

4. Update Your License and Other Documents

Making a long distance move requires you to do a little more legwork than you would for a local move. To live in another location like a different state or country, you’ll need to ensure that you have the proper documents and identification needed. Do your research and complete your applications well in advance so you have your new documents by the time you are ready to move.

5. Invest in Moving Insurance

Many people make the mistake of not purchasing moving insurance. Depending on what you own and how you intend to transport your valuable items, you’ll want to carefully consider purchasing a comprehensive insurance policy that will replace or refinance any damaged, lost, or stolen items.

6. Downsize as Much as Possible

Moving gives you the opportunity to reevaluate your life and your belongings. As you begin packing, sort through everything you own and try to downsize as much as you can. Donate, sell, or give away things you don’t need, and throw away anything that can no longer be used again. With less to pack, you’ll have a lighter load to carry with you to your new home.

long-distance

A long-distance move shouldn’t be left to chance. Use these six strategies to ensure your move goes as smoothly as possible.