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

Summary

This 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.