An upcoming move is the perfect reason to organize and deep clean various elements of your home as you prepare to move into a new one. When your next chapter starts, you will want your new space to reflect a fresh start, which means making sure your essentials look their best and unnecessary clutter is removed.
Here are the top five areas of the home and items we recommend cleaning before your move, according to Eric Welch, the director of our training department.
1.) Deep Clean Your Refrigerator
An appliance this large is used daily, but may not be cleaned regularly. To prepare your fridge prior to your move, check and empty the drip tray typically in the bottom of the fridge. In addition, now is a good time to wipe and disinfect the shelves and drawers inside the fridge and dispose of any expired perishable food.
About 24 to 48 hours prior to you move, you will need to unplug your fridge, as the freezer especially will need time to defrost. The water line needs to be disconnected as well.
2. Wash Your Dishes
Although dirty dishes may seem like an obvious item to clean prior to moving day, it’s important to note. Once you are getting settled into your new home and beginning to unpack, the last items of concern should be tasks such as laundry and washing dishes.
The week prior to your move is a great excuse to use disposable paper plates or compostable cutlery, as opposed to glass and plastic items which need to be washed. This can bring some ease to any of your packing concerns. All the small chores can add up when you’re short on time, so this is an easy solution so you can focus on packing your dishes correctly.
3. Clean Your Attic, Basement, Garage
As previously mentioned, moving is a perfect reason to clean and address areas of your home which are often ignored during the hustle of daily life. Many families pile various items in either their attic, basement or garage, or maybe a combination of all three. Do yourself a favor and carve out some time to make “keep, trash and donate” piles of the miscellaneous items you keep in these areas of your home.
The cleaning process for these areas in particular is a win-win situation for all. Since decluttering will make your move easier and less stressful, you’ll need fewer packing materials when preparing your belongings for their move, you’ll have less items to pack and unpack, and you will have less belongings for your movers to lift and transport into your new home, which means they can finish the job even faster than they might otherwise.
4. Clean Your Planters
Many homeowners cherish their plants and garden space, and you may be looking to transport your greenery to your new house, too. There are a few tips to keep in mind when preparing your plants for a fresh spot to plant their roots.
If you chose to take the planters with you and decide to keep the plants in them, do not water them prior to the move. This will increase the weight in the planter, which could put it at a greater risk for breaking while being moved. There is also a chance the planter could leak if you water it just before the move, which is inconvenient for both you and the moving company.
Meanwhile, if you decide to take your pots and window boxes but not the plants, make sure to empty them prior to the moving company’s arrival.
5. Clean Your Foot Pathways
A detail often overlooked, you will want to make sure your pathways are clear prior to moving day. The movers need to have a clean and clear pathway to move your items with the best care and precision. Remember, this includes the pathway outside to the moving truck as well.
The week of your move, keep an eye on the weather in your city to see if there is a chance of rain or snow on moving day. In the case of snow and ice, you will need to clear your pathway even further. Making sure this is taken care of prior to your mover’s arrival will provide a safer, more efficient move for all.
As always, we wish you the best as you prepare your home for your upcoming move! For answers to any other additional questions or concerns, check out our other blog posts or contact your move coordinator.