the MOVE-IN CLEANING CHECKLIST you didn't know you needed | Beginner's Guide (Eco- Friendly)

abetweene

9 Aug 202319:14

Summary

TLDRThis video script provides a comprehensive guide for cleaning and preparing a new living space before moving in. It emphasizes the importance of cleaning light switches and handles, deep-cleaning the bathroom, and working from top to bottom due to gravity. The narrator shares personal preferences for using all-purpose cleaners, peroxide, and alcohol, and offers tips on cleaning toilets, grout, and appliances. Additionally, the script touches on the responsibilities of landlords and tenants, including maintaining property and addressing necessary repairs.

Takeaways

🔑 Start with cleaning light switches and handles, especially if there's paint or joint compound on them.
🧼 Deep clean the bathroom, including the toilet and sink, using all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant, and a melamine sponge for heavy-duty stains.
🌬 Use peroxide, oxygen powder, and 70% alcohol diluted with warm water and essential oil for cleaning and disinfecting.
🥥 For toilet cleaning, use a coconut husk scrubbing pad, which is a sustainable and biodegradable alternative to store-bought sponges.
💧 Clean from the inside out in the bathroom to prevent back spray from dirtying already cleaned surfaces.
🛋️ Check for necessary maintenance tasks like changing HVAC filters and addressing any landlord responsibilities.
🖼️ Clean walls if the property has been vacant to remove dust before painting.
🌀 Work from top to bottom when cleaning to avoid re-cleaning due to gravity pulling dirt downwards.
🍽️ Clean kitchen appliances and mid-level surfaces like countertops after higher surfaces like vents and cabinet tops.
🚰 Use CLR for mineral buildup on faucets if the buildup is severe, and citric acid or vinegar for lighter cases.
🧽 Maintain grout by cleaning and resealing it to prevent water damage, which is often the landlord's responsibility but tenants can also take initiative.

Q & A

What are the two primary things the speaker suggests cleaning or replacing in a new place?
-The speaker suggests starting with cleaning or replacing light switches and handles, as they can be touched frequently and may have paint or joint compound on them.
Why does the speaker emphasize deep cleaning the bathroom, specifically the toilet and sink?
-The speaker emphasizes deep cleaning the bathroom because it's a place where cleanliness is crucial for health, and it's used frequently, necessitating a thorough initial cleaning.
What type of cleaner does the speaker recommend for general cleaning purposes?
-The speaker recommends using an all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant for general cleaning purposes, and for heavy-duty stains, suggests using a steamer or a melamine sponge.
What natural alternative does the speaker prefer for cleaning the toilet bowl?
-The speaker prefers using coconut husk scrubbing pads as a natural alternative to store-bought sponges for cleaning the toilet bowl.
Why does the speaker advocate for working from top to bottom when cleaning?
-Working from top to bottom ensures that any dirt or dust that falls due to gravity is on surfaces that have not yet been cleaned, preventing the need to re-clean areas.
What is the speaker's opinion on using store-bought household cleaners?
-The speaker prefers to use fewer, more versatile products like Castile soap and diluted alcohol with essential oils for fragrance, to avoid the high cost and waste associated with multiple store-bought cleaners.
What should one do if they find the grout in their new place needs re-sealing?
-The speaker suggests mentioning to the landlord that they are taking care of re-sealing the grout themselves and possibly negotiating a rent concession in return.
Why does the speaker clean the vents during the move-in cleaning process?
-Cleaning the vents is part of the top-to-bottom approach and ensures that any dust or debris that falls from the vents during cleaning doesn't dirty already cleaned surfaces.
What is the speaker's method for cleaning the baseboards?
-The speaker uses a cleanser and possibly vacuums if there is dust from filling holes and sanding, emphasizing the importance of cleaning from top to bottom.
How does the speaker address cleaning the floors in the new place?
-The speaker recommends using a wet vac or a traditional mop, and for floor towels, suggests the squeegee method to avoid oversaturating hardwood floors.
What method does the speaker use to clean their cleaning rags?
-The speaker cleans their rags using Oxy Powder, which is a solid form of hydrogen peroxide, to keep the white rags clean.

Outlines

00:00

🧼 Essential Cleaning and Replacement Before Moving In

This paragraph emphasizes the importance of cleaning and replacing certain items before moving into a new place. It starts with the need to clean light switches and handles, especially when they have paint or joint compound on them, using a scraper. The bathroom, particularly the toilet and sink, is highlighted as an area requiring deep cleaning for hygiene reasons. The narrator suggests using all-purpose cleaners or disinfectants, and for stubborn stains, a melamine sponge or steamer might be necessary. The paragraph also touches on the use of homemade cleaning solutions like Castile soap, peroxide oxygen powder, and alcohol, as well as the preference for reducing single-use items and the use of biodegradable alternatives like coconut husk scrubbing pads. Lastly, the paragraph mentions the importance of checking local landlord-tenant laws before signing a lease.

05:04

🏠 Cleaning顺序和租房维护责任

The second paragraph discusses the recommended order for cleaning a new home, suggesting a top-to-bottom approach due to gravity, to avoid re-cleaning messes from higher surfaces. It covers cleaning vents, appliances, countertops, and built-in units, with a reminder to check for filters in water dispensers or ice makers. The narrator also mentions the need for tenants to inform landlords about maintenance issues, even if it's the landlord's responsibility, and shares personal experiences with maintenance quality. There's also a mention of cleaning grout and the possibility of tenants doing the job themselves for better results, with a suggestion to negotiate rent concessions for such efforts.

10:05

🧽 Deep Cleaning Techniques and Tools

This paragraph focuses on deep cleaning techniques, starting with vacuuming at a slow pace to maximize suction effectiveness. It mentions the use of a wet back for simultaneous vacuuming and mopping, which is more effective than traditional mopping by preventing the spread of dirty water. The narrator also discusses the limitations of their current model, such as the roller not reaching the edges, but expresses satisfaction with its performance. Additionally, the paragraph covers the cleaning of baseboards, the use of a cleanser or vacuum for dust removal, and the importance of sealing grout to prevent water damage.

15:11

🛠️ Final Touches and Cleaning Solutions

The final paragraph wraps up the cleaning process by detailing the final touches, such as deep vacuuming and using a traditional mop or the squeegee method for hardwood floors to avoid over-saturation. The narrator recommends the Muji cleaning system for its versatility and interchangeable pieces. It also addresses the challenge of cleaning grout and shares a successful experiment with baking soda, which not only lightened the grout but also removed artifacts from the tile. Lastly, the paragraph discusses the cleaning of rags using Oxy Powder and ends with a note on the importance of authenticity and a teaser for full-time artists.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Deep Cleaning

Deep cleaning refers to a thorough cleaning process that goes beyond regular maintenance to remove dirt, grime, and bacteria from surfaces and fixtures. In the video, deep cleaning is the central theme as the speaker discusses cleaning various areas of a new home, including the toilet, sink, and grout, which requires special attention and cleaning techniques.

💡Light Switches

Light switches are electrical devices used to control the flow of power to lights. In the context of the video, they are mentioned as one of the first things to clean in a new home due to potential dirt or paint residue, emphasizing the importance of cleanliness in areas that are frequently touched.

💡Bathroom Break

The term 'bathroom break' is used humorously in the script to highlight the necessity of cleaning the bathroom thoroughly, as it is a place that will be used frequently. It underscores the importance of a clean and sanitary bathroom environment.

💡All-Purpose Cleaner

An all-purpose cleaner is a versatile cleaning product designed to clean a wide range of surfaces without causing damage. In the video, it is mentioned as a primary tool for general cleaning tasks, illustrating the practicality of having a single product for multiple cleaning needs.

💡Melamine Sponge

A melamine sponge is a cleaning tool known for its abrasive qualities, which make it effective for scrubbing away tough stains. The script mentions using a melamine sponge for heavy-duty stains, indicating its utility in deep cleaning scenarios.

💡Peroxide

Peroxide, specifically hydrogen peroxide, is a common ingredient in cleaning products due to its disinfecting properties. In the video, peroxide is mentioned as part of the cleaning arsenal, demonstrating its role in sanitizing surfaces.

💡Castile Soap

Castile soap is a vegetable-based liquid soap known for its gentle yet effective cleaning properties. The script mentions using Castile soap as an alternative to various household cleaners, reflecting a preference for natural and multipurpose cleaning solutions.

💡Coconut Husk

A coconut husk is the fibrous outer shell of a coconut, which in the video, is mentioned as a sustainable and effective alternative to synthetic scrubbing pads. This highlights an eco-friendly approach to cleaning by repurposing a byproduct of the coconut industry.

💡Grout

Grout is the cementitious material that binds tiles together in installations such as flooring and walls. The script discusses cleaning and possibly resealing grout to prevent moisture damage, emphasizing the importance of maintaining not just visible surfaces but also the structural elements of a space.

💡Landlord Tenant Laws

Landlord tenant laws are the regulations governing the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants. The video mentions the importance of being aware of these laws, particularly regarding the expectations of cleanliness and maintenance before moving into a new place.

💡HVAC System

An HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system is crucial for regulating indoor air quality and temperature. The script suggests changing the filter in the HVAC system as part of the move-in cleaning process, indicating the significance of maintaining air quality in a living space.

💡Squarespace

Squarespace is a website building platform that allows users to create and manage their own websites, blogs, and online stores. In the video, it is mentioned as a tool for content creators, providing an example of how to organize and present cleaning tools, ingredients, and methods in an online format.

Highlights

Clean and replace light switches and handles first.

Use a scraper for any paint or joint compound on light switches.

Deep clean the bathroom, especially the toilet and sink.

Use all-purpose cleaner or disinfectant for cleaning.

For heavy-duty stains, apply a steamer or use a melamine sponge.

Ingredients for cleaning include peroxide, oxygen powder, and alcohol.

Castile soap is used for scrubbing as it needs to be agitated to work effectively.

70% alcohol diluted with warm water and essential oil can be used as a disinfectant.

Coconut husk scrubbing pads are a better alternative to store-bought sponges.

Clean the toilet from the inside out by pouring water into it to lower the water level.

Replace the toilet seat for hygiene reasons.

Research landlord-tenant laws in your state as they vary.

Clean from top to bottom to avoid making a mess.

Use a vacuum for cleaning vents and other surfaces.

Request a maintenance change for the HVAC filter for better results.

Clean walls if the place has been vacant for a while to remove dust.

Clean kitchen cabinets and appliances starting from the top.

Check the refrigerator and freezer for filters that may need changing.

Use citric acid or vinegar for minor mineral build-up and CLR for heavy build-up.

Create a maintenance request for grouting if necessary.

Use a wet vacuum for both vacuuming and mopping, which is more effective.

Deep clean carpets by vacuuming at a slow pace for better suction.

Squeegee method is recommended for cleaning floor tiles to avoid over-saturating hardwood floors.

Using baking soda for grout cleaning can lighten grout and remove residual dirt.

Oxy powder is used for cleaning white rags, similar to hydrogen peroxide.