Kelowna Movers: 4 Tips to Safely Clean Your New Home When Moving In
Clean and disinfect your new home using safe cleaning methods and cleaners.
Moving into a new home is a daunting task in itself. Besides packing and hiring the best Kelowna movers to ensure your household goods arrive in one piece, there’s also all that cleaning. Besides the obvious methods, we look at some ways to prevent pollutants, contaminants, and dirt from entering your new home during a move, as well as how you can clean using less abrasive cleaners and methods.
1. Avoid Using Old Moving Supplies
Placing household goods in old moving boxes or bags can not only damage your items, but can carry unwanted visitors such as insects, germs, bacteria, and other contaminants into your new home. Be sure to use new packing materials. Some moving companies, such as Bekins Kelowna Moving and Storage, offer packing materials for purchase, including:
- Moving and wardrobe boxes
- Mirror and china cartons
- Mattress bags
- Tape and tissue paper
2. Control the Dust
Household dust is not only a trigger for those with allergies, but it also attracts and absorbs pollutants. Here are some of the best ways to control and get rid of dust:
- Replace old carpets, curtains, and upholstery
- Wash sheets, pillowcases, and blankets
- Use a micro-fibre cloth to dust household objects, bookshelves, and hard-to-reach places
- Vacuum, mop, and sweep floors
- Use the vacuum brush to dust walls, wall trim, and ceilings
- Clean the vacuum bag and filter after every use
3. Tackle Large Appliances First
If your new home comes with major appliances that were used by the previous owners, make sure to give them all a thorough cleaning. Start with the fridge, then move to the oven, dishwasher, and finally, the washer and dryer. Use rubber gloves and a mask to remove stains, scrub dirt and debris, and disinfect, especially if you are using oven cleaner. Try to avoid harsh detergents. For some examples, look to the list below:
4. Choose Safe Cleaners
Abrasive cleaners and strong disinfectants can sometimes do more harm than good. When choosing cleaners, check the label to make sure they are safe for the surface or object you are cleaning. For those who prefer not to use harsh chemicals, some natural products and techniques found around the home can often do the trick. However, please note that a high alcohol-based disinfectant is the best way to get rid of germs and bacteria.
Try:
- Mixing equal parts of warm water with vinegar to clean kitchen countertops, cabinets, and inside the fridge. However, do not use vinegar on granite, marble, stone, or wood, as the acid can harm the finish and cause discolouration. Instead, try a mixture of dishwashing liquid with water.
- Combining equal parts of water, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol (or vodka!), along with a few drops of peppermint oil to clean mirrors and bathroom tiles
- Making a paste of baking soda and water to rub out stains
- Washing walls with mild soap and water mixed in a spray bottle
- Using a steam mop to clean the floors. Add water and a little vinegar as a disinfectant, and make sure to use a micro-fibre floor pad to prevent scratches on your laminate, hardwood, and tiles.
- If you're concerned about bacteria, check to make sure the cleaner you are using is able to tackle them!
For more moving tips, read Office Movers: How to Pack and Move Electronics.
Bekins Kelowna Moving and Storage is your one-stop-shop for local, long-distance, last-minute, and commercial moves, as well as for packing services, and both DIY container and warehouse storage. Contact us for free moving quotes.