Preparing Your New Home for Movers. You’ve already booked Aaron Bros. Moving System, Inc. as your local Chicago residential movers, so what is the next step in your relocation process?! Well, how about getting your new home ready for your arrival!
The last thing anyone wants to do after a full day of moving is move into an unclean living space. To make the process a bit easier, give the following areas a good cleaning.
Kitchen–This is the one common area families tend to spend most of their time in, either preparing meals, eating, or bonding over the kitchen table. Take the time to focus on the following:
- Appliances–The oven and refrigerator are the two major appliances in your kitchen that easily get the most wear and tear. A heavy-duty cleaner will come in handy–as well as a little elbow grease–to remove cooked on grease from your burners and the inside panels of your oven. The inside of a refrigerator can be tackled with warm water and a soft cloth. If you find you need an abrasive, baking soda and water combined make for a food safe cleaner. Soak all removal parts of both appliances in hot soapy water before rinsing and replacing. Don’t forget to pull both the oven and refrigerator away from the wall and clean the sides and behind each appliance.
- Counter-tops–Once bare, create a batch of baking soda and water mixture and apply to the counter-top surface and let sit for a few moments. Wipe and wash with warm soapy water or a safe antibacterial spray.
- Cabinets–The inside of cabinets can be cleaned with a mild cleaner. If they are not lined, consider buying liners to set in place before your dishware is unpacked. If a liner is already in place, clean with a mild cleaner.
Vents–Unhinge heating vents and vacuum out dust. Next, soak the vents in warm, soapy water while dusting the inside of the vents with rags and a vacuum hose extension.
To Floor or Not to Floor–If you are renting, good landlords should re-carpet and re-floor in-between tenants. If this isn’t the case, we recommend hiring a professional to deep clean carpets or renting a carpet cleaning machine from a local home store to do so yourself. Hardwood flooring can be swept and than cleaned with a mild wood soap like “Murphy’s” brand.
Paint–A new paint job can instantly make any room appear fresh. An off-white or white can hide blemishes from the previous tenants and set the stage for your own personalization. If you’re feeling adventurous, give your walls a color palette that represents your family’s personality!
- If you opt not to give your walls a new paint job, patience and upper arm strength can take away marks left behind from previous tenants Begin by removing dust and cobwebs in corners and around the floor molding. Use a mild detergent like dish soap with warm water and get scrubbing! Liquid detergent sticks or fabric softeners do wonders for wall stains that are resistant to the water/soap mixture.
Personalize–Once you’re satisfied with your cleaning efforts, take the time to hang some of your wall art, like a family portrait or favorite painting, before you move in. This can be especially helpful if moving with young children. Slowly transition their old room to their new room and include them in the process so those new walls don’t seem as unfamiliar on the first night. It will feel good for the entire family if, among the unpacked boxes and disorganized furniture, there’s a piece of “home” to welcome you.
Print out our “Moving Checklist” for other helpful tips and pointers. Aaron Bros. wants your move to be as stress-free as possible and as always, we are here to be your local (and trusted!) Chicago movers. Happy Relocating!
