METCALF MOVING BLOG
7 Tips for Deep-Cleaning a New Rental Before Moving In
Are you moving to a new residential rental property soon? Some landlords go to great lengths to clean and disinfect rental properties before new tenants move in, but occasionally deeper cleaning is required. If you’ve found the ideal rental home, but it needs some refreshing, keep reading.
Remember these seven deep cleaning tips to ensure your new rental home is healthy and pleasant.
1. Consider Shampooing the Carpet
A carpet can harbor 4,000 times more germs than the typical toilet, which is a scary thought. Therefore, if you want to deep-clean the new rental before moving in, ensure the carpet is clean. Consider having the carpets steam cleaned or renting a carpet shampooer if the property manager has not taken this step.
2. Clean Around All Hand-Contact Surfaces
Hand contact surfaces are found all over the average home. Pick up a good disinfectant spray safe on multiple surfaces and get to work. A few hand-contact surfaces that commonly collect oils and grime include:
- Light switches
- Door knobs
- Cabinetry handles and drawer pulls
- Appliance doors
- Faucet handles
- Shower door handles
- Toilet flushing levers
- Stair rails
3. Clear Out and Sanitize the Appliances
Appliances might have lingering residue from prior tenants if the landlord had not cleaned the unit professionally. So, a thorough cleaning should involve cleaning and sanitizing everything from the refrigerator and stove to the washer and dryer if the rental is equipped.
4. Sanitize the Bathrooms
Good Housekeeping offers an excellent checklist to thoroughly clean and sanitize a bathroom. Pay careful attention to areas commonly missed in the bathroom, such as:
- The bathroom’s exhaust fan cover
- Grout lines on the floor or walls
- Faucet handles on sinks, in the shower, or tub
- The toilet bowl, seat, and flushing lever
5. Wash all the Cabinet Shelves
Cabinet shelves are out of sight and mostly out of mind during general cleaning. Items commonly get left behind on lower or high-up cabinet shelves when people vacate a property because these areas are hard to see. Grab a flashlight or headlamp and some soapy water to wipe down all the internal cabinet shelves before filling them with your belongings.
6. Wipe the Windows
Windows are generally only washed once or twice per year. Additionally, cleaning windows may only sometimes make the list of things to get done when a rental is being prepared for a new tenant. Therefore, cleaning all the windows in your new place before moving in can be a good idea.
7. Clean the Vents
Pull the cover off the return registers and vents in the home, and use a vacuum to pull out any dust, hair, or otherwise. Find the filter in the HVAC system and ensure it does not need to be replaced, as this is easily overlooked even if the rental was cleaned. While the vent covers are off, use a good cleaning solution to remove any trapped grime or dirt beneath.
Get Help with Getting Moved In
When your new place is clean and sanitary, it will be much easier for the rental to feel like home quickly. Need help getting your belongings to the new site? Contact our moving team to help you make the transition.
