How To Clean A New Apartment

It can be an exciting time moving into a new apartment. You likely have a specific vision in your head of how great the design will look and how much you'll enjoy your new place. However, prior to moving in, you must perform a necessary new apartment cleaning.

That is to say; you must know how to clean your new apartment. In this article, you can uncover new apartment cleaning checklists and steps to clean your apartment before moving in. Furthermore, you can get tips on using all-purpose cleaners and advice on moving. Continue reading to uncover more!

Why Clean an Apartment Before Moving in?

Rather than leaving your apartment cleaning for a later date, you should do it right away. It takes little time and effort to clean empty flats as you can work around the space more efficiently. The moving stress is also reduced. Buckle down and read on for some excellent tips on how to clean an apartment prior to moving in.

New Apartment Cleaning Checklist

If you moved into a new apartment recently and found a lot of space, why not take the opportunity to clean it thoroughly? Use the following checklist as a guide:

• It's easier to start from the top. Clean every room by dusting ceiling fans, overhead lights, and ceiling corners.
• Clean your way down the walls, baseboards, and floors.
• Systematically clean and move towards the door. This prevents dust from being shuffled around.
• Deep clean the closets now that they are all empty. This involves dusting out corners, lining shelves with vinyl paper, and covering up stains by previous tenants.
• Get a fresh start by replacing toilet seats if necessary.
• Remember to disinfect the bathtub. This can involve wiping down the bathtub using dish soap and a sponge.
• Appliances like your dishwasher may need cleaning. Run a wash cycle utilizing a cup of white vinegar placed on the top rack using a hot water setting. After that, a sprinkled cup of baking soda on the bottom rack and a second hot wash cycle can complete the dishwasher cleaning.
• Natural all-purpose cleaners such as a mixture of vinegar and water can help disinfect the microwave and fridge.
• Use steam mops to quickly and easily clean different types of floors. Use regular damp mops on hardwoods instead of sopping mops.
• You may rent carpet cleaners from hardware stores to clean carpeted areas.
• Disinfect all surfaces, such as locks, buttons, and countertops, to kill all germs. You may not know how clean the previous tenants were.
• Utilize baking soda and water to clean the cabinets and wipe down their contents.
• Move-in cleaning is a perfect time to cross off baseboard cleaning from the first month's cleaning checklist. Again, all-purpose cleaners can be used here.

Steps to Clean Your Apartment Before Moving In

If you've chosen to clean your new apartment, follow these steps to ensure that it's done safely and efficiently:

Step One: Nail down specifics with the landlord

You may consult the landlord or building manager for specific cleaning details. For instance, it can help to know if they clean between tenants or the previous tenant did the cleaning.

Step Two: Use a cleaning supplies checklist

When it comes to apartment cleaning, an important step is to gather the needed supplies before you clean your apartment. It may not be worthwhile to wait until you start cleaning before listing out needed cleaning supplies.

The stress of purchasing forgotten items may be more. This is true, especially for cross-country moving. The cleaning tools and materials include the following:

• All-purpose cleaners 
• Glass cleaner
• Oven cleaner 
• Distilled white vinegar
• Microfiber cloths 
• Dishwashing soap 
• Sponges/Paper towels 
• Trash bags 
• Disinfectant wipes 
• Toilet cleaner 
• Toilet brushes
• Scrubbing brush (or an old toothbrush)
• Rubber gloves 
• Wood polish 
• Duster
• Mop 
• Vacuum 
• Broom and dustpan

Step Three: Remove all clutter

You can get an empty laundry, waste, or trash basket and declutter the rooms.

Step Four: Clean from top to bottom

You can start cleaning from the roof, ceiling, walls, and floors in a top-to-bottom fashion. Likewise, clean from the farthest point from the entryway and move towards the room's exit.

Step Five: Wipe down walls

After that, start wiping down your walls using a dry microfiber cloth. One cleaning hack is using a Magic Eraser to remove scuffs. Disinfectant wipes can also help to clean areas like doorknobs and light switches.

Step Six: Clean all surfaces

Some valuable materials include dust rags, glass cleaners, and all-purpose cleaners. Use them to clean various surfaces that collect dust and dirt. This includes windows, blinds, shelves, and tables.

You can soak window blinds in warm soapy water. A sink or bucket full of luke-warm water with dish soap will do. After soaking for half an hour, drain the water. Rinse the blinds and hang them to dry.

Step Seven: Clean the kitchen  

Kitchen cleaning is an essential task in cleaning checklists. After all, the kitchen is one area that may need a thorough cleaning. Here are a handful of handy pointers to help you do a great job when cleaning the kitchen area:

• Deep clean the sinks and garbage disposals. First, scrub the sink with a mixture of baking soda and water. Next, disinfect it with vinegar, dishwashing soap, or all-purpose cleaners.
• Similarly, you can use a combination of baking soda, ice cubes, and lemon juice to freshen your garbage disposal.

Do the following when cleaning kitchen appliances:

• Microwaves: Clean with a dry cloth or paper towels.
• Ovens: Spray the inside with an oven cleaner and later wipe clean with a damp sponge or paper towel.
• Stove: Soak spotty cooktop areas in warm soapy water or all-purpose cleaners. After some minutes, use a sponge or scrub brush to remove the spots. Avoid scratching glass cooktops.
• Refrigerators: Use disinfectant wipes and a cloth to clean the shelves, handles, exterior, and top. You can also use all-purpose cleaners.
• Dishwashers: Place a cup of white vinegar on the uppermost rack and run a hot wash cycle to clean this. After that, use paper towels or a microfiber cloth to wipe down the inside. All-purpose cleaners can be used for the outside.
• Cabinets: Thoroughly clean every cabinet space with warm soapy water. Finish by drying with a microfiber cloth.
• Countertops: Grout lines on tile countertops can be polished and scrubbed using a paste of baking soda and water and an old toothbrush.
• Trash cans: Remember to take out all garbage after cleaning. Use disinfecting wipes to wipe down all sides of the trash can and place a clean inside liner.

Step Eight: Clean the bathroom

• Wear clean rubber gloves and clean the toilet exterior with a damp, hot sponge.
• Disinfect the toilet bowl by coating the inside with toilet cleaner and scrubbing with a toilet brush. Clean the outside, the handle, and the toilet seat with disinfecting wipes.
• Use all-purpose cleaners on the tub, shower, and sink. Let it stay for a while.
• Next, clean the vanity and mirror.
• Then, you can return to the tub and sink to remove all grime with a scrub brush.
• Pay attention to the ceiling exhaust fan. Clean off grimy dust and dirt from the exhaust fan.
• Finally, you can mop the floors with all-purpose cleaners.

Step Nine: Clean the floors 

• Sweep and vacuum off dirt and dust
• Spot-clean the carpet (if it has stains) or use a carpet shampooer.
• Professional carpet cleaning may be a requirement based on your rental agreement.
• Use a damp mop and all-purpose cleaners to mop tile, vinyl, linoleum, and hardwood floors.
• Check with the landlord about what cleaner to use on wood laminate floors to avoid damage.

Step Ten: Clean the outdoors

• This includes sweeping the balconies or porches.
• Use all-purpose cleaners and brushes to scrub outdoor furniture.
• Use disinfectant wipes to wipe down the doorknob and front door.
• Stubborn scuff marks can be removed with a Magic Eraser.

Tips on Using All-Purpose Cleaners

• A significant protective measure is to wear rubber gloves for skin protection.
• Avoid mixing bleach, vinegar, or ammonia as cleaning products. It is risky.
• You can give your furniture a fresh look. Pay attention to the type of furniture polish to avoid removing the paint.
• A mixture of warm water and liquid oil-based soap can help with furniture cleaning.

Expert Tips on Apartment Cleaning/Moving

Cleaning your apartment doesn't have to be overwhelming. Follow these tips for a thorough and squeaky clean:

• Deep clean an apartment before moving in. Pay attention to the kitchen and toilets.
• Consider various aspects of apartment living. Properly clean and disinfect doorknobs, light switches, and even remote controls.
• Use a sponge mop, disinfectant solution, and water to disinfect vinyl floors.
• It can be stress-relieving to engage reputable cross-country movers for long-distance moves. The same applies if you're moving across the country.
• Also, consider auto shipping services covered by moving insurance.

Get Help from Cleaning Professionals

By now, you probably understand more about how to clean a new apartment. However, hiring cleaning professionals to perform a deep cleaning on your apartment before you move in may still make sense.

After all, you'll likely live in it for several years, and cleaning companies can guarantee a safer service. More so, they can provide house cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and other cleaning services.