Keeping It Fresh
from BluSky Cleaning
Hiring a Cleaning Professional for a Move in Cleaning
When hiring a professional cleaner it is helpful to know what type of cleaning service you want for your home. Move-In cleaning is similar to deep cleaning. Although the home may be empty of furniture, a move-in cleaning is work.
Moving In
When moving into a new home, you have many activities happening and the timing of cleaning is important.
First – consider what work you want to be done prior to moving in. If painting or other repair work is to be done, schedule this prior to household or carpet cleaning.
Second – Talk with your cleaning company to let them know your anticipated schedule and when they will have access to the house for cleaning and when you anticipate moving in.
Next – send the cleaning service photos or better yet the link to the real estate listing if there are several photos of the interior of the house. This will give the service a basic idea of the house interior – number of windows, general size of the bathrooms and kitchens. Number of rooms and floor type. This will help the cleaning professional give you an “estimate” for cleaning the house. This estimate though will be contingent on the walk through when the house is accessible.
The Walk-Thru – during the walk through the cleaning technician will be looking for cleaning details that may not be visible from the photos – such as dust, grease, wall markings, stains inside drawers or cabinets, etc. Also, cleaning that is done after contractors have painted walls, installed bathroom vanities or other repairs may increase cleaning costs to remove paint splatters and dust.
What cleaning do you want to be done? With a move-in clean a homeowner may decide to have just the bathrooms and kitchens cleaned. This is not uncommon, especially if the home is generally clean.
What is a Move in Deep Cleaning?
Deep cleaning is when a homeowner begins a new cleaning service or a move in cleaning to a new home. This blog is focused with the cleaning for a new home move in. A detailed cleaning is usually requested when homeowners are moving into a recently purchased property. The previous owner or realtor will arrange to have the home cleaned to prepare for showings and photography for the MSL Listing. This cleaning is similar to maintenance clean with a basic dusting (ceiling fans, blinds) and general cleaning. Interior cleaning or wipe down would be inside the refrigerator, vacuuming or wipe-out of drawers to remove crumbs and loose dirt.
Making the Home Yours
For a move in cleaning the homeowners is expecting a detailed “deep cleaning” to sanitize bathrooms and to detail kitchen including inside refrigerator, microwave, and oven. What cleaning tasks can be included in a move in cleaning?
Here’s a task list that can be reference when discussing move in cleaning:
Cleaning the Kitchen
- Cabinet doors – inside, outside, door handles
- Cabinet drawers – inside drawers, sides, and rails
- Cabinet shelving – cleaning cabinets shelves (upper/ underneath), inside cabinet walls
- Behind refrigerator and stove – cleaning behind the refrigerator and stove is recommended. If this is a task requested, it is best that the homeowner move the refrigerator and stove forward prior to the appointment to allow cleaning in this area.
- Ceiling fans – ceiling fans in the kitchen collect grease and dust over time. This is a multi-step process for very greasy fans blades. Wipe down or wash light covers.
- Floor – Vacuum and mop
Cleaning the Bathroom – using a sanitizing cleaner:
- Vanity – cabinet doors – inside, outside, door handles
- Vanity Cabinet drawers – inside drawers, sides, and rails
- Vanity Surfaces – top, bottom sides
Toilet – cleaning and detail the toilet for best results to remove the toilet seat to clean crevices to remove build-up. - Shower and tubs – cleaning the surface AND bathroom tile and using a brush to clean in-between the tiles (tile grout).
- Floor- vacuum and mop
Cleaning Windows
Dusting blinds, cleaning window panes, and inside window sill. Window cleaning applies to standard-size windows that can tilt in. This keeps the cleaning service in compliance with insurance coverage.
Utility Room
Most homeowners may not think of the utility room for cleaning. In many homes, this is a separate area where the HVAC and hot water tank are located. Not usually a space that is cleaned. It is good to include this area on your list to be vacuumed, swept to remove dust and cobwebs.
Laundry Room
Wiping down the washer and dryer inside and outside. Vacuuming dryer filter and cleaning around the sides and behind the appliances if accessible.
Cleaning Doors and Walls
The majority of the time homes will have freshly painted walls, doors, door frames, and inside closets. If any of these areas were not painted and have markings reviewed with the cleaning service. Sometimes it is best to paint the walls if the markings are excessive.
Which to do first? Paint, Carpet or Clean?
A recommendation is if possible to have the cleaning done after painting and any remodeling work that may be done. The carpet cleaning last if this can be coordinated. When working with contractors stress the importance that they clean up after their work. Clean up removes paint splatters, caulking spills, plaster drops, etc. Professional cleaners may be able to remove some of the residues but it will add to the cost of the move-in cleaning.
A new home purchase is exciting and also comes with expenses to get your family ready for the move and the actual moving in. If budget is a question consider the priorities of what you need done and what you are willing to do. An example would be cleaning the inside of the stove and refrigerator yourself or coming along side with the service to split the work. As a professional cleaner I have worked with clients alongside or getting it all done for them before they move in. Talk with the cleaning service and if you have a specific budget then let them know and prioritize what you want done.
Considering Hiring a Professional Cleaner
for your home?
Give BluSky Cleaning a call
202-468-7400 or send us
an email about your home for an estimate.