Imagine this: You’ve just moved in to a new property and supposedly it’s already had a move in cleaning done. But as you walk around, things just don’t “feel” clean. Because lets be honest, when something is clean, your spidey senses are firing in a good way. You can smell clean. You can see clean. You can even touch a surface and feel clean.
So if you are debating whether a property has actually been cleaned prior to your move in, here are a few tips on how to tell if you need a move in clean or not.
Smells
Did you know that your sense of smell is the first tool you can use to detect if a move in clean was performed.
The nose is super sensitive and can detect substances at really low concentrations. Think “the subtle smell of a well cleaned space.” And since the nose is connected to the limbic system (the area of your brain that handles emotions and memories) it can detect smells that are both out of place (like a former pet) or familiar (like the smell of clorox).
Make sure to stick your nose in areas like cabinets, drawers, showers and behind appliances like the fridge and oven.
A quick note when it comes to using your sense of smell to tell if you need a move in clean or not: our sense of smell can rapidly adapt to continuous odors, so the absence of a cleaning smell doesn’t necessarily mean the space hasn’t been cleaned. It might simply mean that the initial scents have faded and your nose has adjusted.
Where To Look to know If You Need A Move In Cleaning
While there’s quite a bit of overlap between a one time deep cleaning and a move in cleaning, there are quite a few areas that will be cleaned only during a move in clean.
As mentioned above, make sure to check inside the cabinets and drawers. Open up the drawers and look all the way in the back because that’s where hairs, crumbs and debris like to hide. Same thing for inside the cabinets.
And don’t forget to use your sense of touch in those areas, because oftentimes what they eye cannot see and the nose cannot smell will be felt with a sense of touch.
Even if the home had a deep clean prior to your inspection, you’ll also want to check inside the fridge and oven. These are two areas that need to get a good cleaning prior to moving in for obvious reasons 🙂
Another area in the home that tends to be overlooked during a superficial clean are the closets. Particularly the higher areas in the closet as well as the corners in the closet, considering that these areas most likely had stuff in them prior to a move in.
And finally, the fans! Alot of dust is kicked up during a move out clean and this is where allergens like to hide. See below for a quick note on allergens!
Why A Move In Cleaning is Important
There’s nothing like getting a fresh start when moving into a new home, and a move in clean is by far the best way to achieve that.
Allergens in a new home can make the space feel less clean and may even cause discomfort or allergic reactions. Paying special attention to the following areas can help ensure a healthier living environment:
- HVAC Vents and Filters: These are often overlooked but crucial in maintaining air quality. Old filters can accumulate dust, pollen, and other allergens, circulating them throughout the home.
- Window Frames and Sills: These areas can harbor mold and mildew, especially if the previous occupants rarely opened windows or if the frames are old and not well-sealed.
- Baseboards and Corners: Dust and pet hair tend to accumulate along baseboards and in the corners of rooms. These areas might be missed during a general cleaning session but are important to address to reduce allergens.
- Underneath Beds and Other Furniture: These areas rarely see the light of day and can accumulate significant dust and dander over time, especially if the previous occupants had pets.
Critical Areas Often Missed During A Move In Cleaning
Ensuring these areas are spotless can truly make your new home feel fresh and thoroughly cleaned:
- Top Shelves and High Cabinets: High areas are often neglected because they are out of sight. Dust and grime can build up here unnoticed, so they should be included in a comprehensive move-in clean.
- Behind and Beneath Appliances: Spaces behind the refrigerator, washing machine, dryer, and other large appliances can accumulate a surprising amount of dirt and debris. Pulling these appliances out and cleaning the areas behind and beneath them can significantly improve the cleanliness of your home.
- Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans: These fixtures can collect an astonishing amount of dust. Cleaning them not only improves air quality but also enhances the overall brightness of the rooms.
- Door Frames and Top Edges of Doors: Another often-overlooked area, the tops of door frames, can gather dust and cobwebs. A quick wipe down as part of a move-in clean can make a noticeable difference.
Conclusion
Any house cleaning company worth their salt will inquire on the condition of your property prior to quoting you a move in cleaning. Because lets face it, there are clean homes, there are dirty homes, and there are recently cleaned homes that simply need the TLC of a deep move in cleaning to make them just right and ready for new residents.
Hope you found this article helpful!
