It’s exciting moving into a new home. Chances are you want to get in there and unpack to start settling in as soon as possible. But before you get ahead of yourself, give your new a home a deep clean. Doing so will not only make it feel brand new when you walk in, but help make the space healthier, too.

Go Top Down

Before even you bring any boxes or furniture in, take the opportunity to get all those hard to reach places and really clean each room. Start by going top down. Dust the cobwebs out of the light fixtures and clean up the molding at the ceiling. Moving.com recommends going item by item instead of room by room. This way as the dirt falls to the floor you don't have to clean anything twice.

Be sure to clean all your appliances, too. You don’t want to be living with someone’s dirt and grime. Give the fridge a good scrub and be sure to clean your oven and other kitchen appliances as well. Do not forget about the appliances in the basement like the furnace and hot water heaters. It is a good idea to put in new filters when you move in to keep everything fresh and clean.

Create a Cleaning Schedule

Once your home is clean, you should do your best to keep it that way to prevent dirt and toxins from building up. Creating a weekly cleaning schedule is a great way to ensure you don’t fall behind and can make the task less overwhelming.

However, clean up messes like spills and mud as they occur. This will help prevent stains and make it easier to get rid of. Cordless vacuums are a great tool for fast cleanups, not to mention they tend to be lighter and easier to store. If you need to upgrade your vacuum, review this guide to choose the best cordless appliance for your home.

Purify the Air

Some of the biggest health hazards in the home are the ones you cannot see. Years of allergen, air pollutant and dust mites naturally build up in a home. If left alone, your indoor air can be more polluted than outside. To help fight this make sure your home has good ventilation and you are using high quality air filters. It is even a good idea to open the windows a few times a year, weather permitting.

Pay attention to what goes on in your home year-round to stop problems from occurring as they arise. Watch for unusual odors and smells and address them immediately as they appear. Fight mold by fixing leaks as soon as they arrive and keeping areas like the bathroom and kitchen as dry as possible. Be wary of where you store your household chemicals and cleaning supplies as well, these are often the most neglected sources of volatile organic compounds (VOC).

Reduce Allergens

If you are concerned about reducing allergens you may need to make adjustments to your home. Carpets collect allergens and dust mites fast, and sometimes vacuuming isn’t enough. Cigna goes as far to recommend replacing carpeting with wooden flooring for those with asthma.

It is also a good idea to look for often-overlooked sections of the house to clean such as drapes and furniture, where dust and pollutants can build up. You can even reduce the amount of allergens entering your home by taking your shoes off at the door and making sure your pets are groomed regularly.

Like New

Keeping your home clean will not only make it look new, but can make you feel better. Reducing the VOCs and allergens in your home will help create a healthier you. Stick to your cleaning schedule and get to work!

 

Content written by Jim Vogel

Photo courtesy of Unsplash.