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| Lynsey, Queen of Clean, has advice for you |
So, you've bid for a house or two, you've had a bid accepted, then you have passed the nervous period till contracts are exchanged, not to mention the stressful period after they've been exchanged, and you've completed the move. Congratulations!
Next you've gone through and boxed up all the possessions in your old home that you think you need for the new one, and consigned them to the tender care (hopefully) of a removals company, and if you're newly married perhaps the new bride has been carried across the threshold safely. You're in, surrounded by boxes, with luck and planning the power is on, the water flowing, and the people you bought from have left things clean and tidy.
Chances are it's late at night and you're going to be sleeping on the floor, a couch, or a bed you're too tired to make up properly, maybe even a hotel not too far away. Morning dawns, you dig out the kettle and necessaries you brought to make the morning cuppa, and there you are, ready to make this house your home.
What next? Unpacking those boxes, moving that furniture, making sure the cat (if you have one) doesn't leave the premises for two weeks, certainly not if the lengthy to do list by icatcare.org is anything to go by – http://icatcare.org/advice/keeping-your-cat-happy/moving-house-your-cat.
However, the bright new light of day, and seeing the premises minus your predecessors furniture and decorations for the first time, might make you think twice. Is that an unpleasant smell coming from the sink? Oh dear, is that long untouched grease you see behind the empty cooker space? Just what are those stains where the sofa used to be? And what are those suspicious tiny droppings behind where a bookcase formerly stood? Your own visits and your surveyor didn't prepare you for this, as the light arcs mercilessly through temporarily curtain-free windows, revealing all.
Common sense comes to the rescue here. You can leave those boxes untouched, your furniture and effects where they are. Out come the cleaning materials. You may have been a householder for years already and know what you're doing, more or less. Or maybe you're fresh from the coddled experience of living in your mum's house and you don't know what to do with a cooker or an iron, let alone a steam mop.
Here we can help you. Just as we'd hope you moved with the expert help of Edward Ashdale Estate Agents, now you're in cleaning mode another expert can be of help.
We have some exclusive tips for you gleaned from TV's Queen of Clean, Lynsey.
What tips does Lynsey have to suggest to people newly moved in to help them with their cleaning challenge?
“Moving into a new home is a very exciting time, but it's so important to give your new home a good clean before you move in to make it feel like yours. Other people's grime will be polluting the surfaces and door handles! You will notice the previous occupants marks of habitation which can make you feel uneasy in your new property, but never fear, a few antibacterial products and a drop of bleach here and there will help your home to feel brand new and all yours.
“My advice would be to start at the top and work your way down!
“Firstly, dust those ceilings, concentrating well on the cobwebs and the corners. Have a step ladder to hand and go over with a large feather duster. It will be satisfying watching the dust drop to the floor. Ceilings harbour dust so its important that you get these clean.
“Door handles, light switches and other buttons all need a really good clean with antibacterial spray.
“Get all the windows and doors open and give the house a really good air.
“Pull up any unwanted carpet and rugs and pull down old curtains, blinds and lampshades and get them straight to the tip.
“Add a good amount of neat bleach to all the sinks and baths and leave to soak to really help kill those germs. After a good soaking scrub, clean with an antibacterial spray until it comes up like new. If you have a shower, replace the shower head. These harbour a lot of bacteria and germs.
“If you are keeping the toilets make sure you replace the seats with new ones and really scrub the pan clean. Pour a cheap bottle of coke down to ensure the pipes are clean and there are no unwanted blockages that can create nasty smells.
“If appliances have been left and you are keeping them, ensure you scrub them clean. Invest in a good over cleaner and use baby oil to really shine that hob.
“A bit of neat bleach on a toothbrush will help you get the grout in-between any tiles clean and bring them back to life.
“Other than this, rigorously, but well needed clean, your home will be clean and ready to move into and it will truly feel like yours.”
When Lynsey finished preparing this advice, typically she remarked, “In the mood for a good clean now!”
With advice like this, your life in your new home should get off to a good (if busy) start.
If you have bought through Edward Ashdale, and need a bit of local knowledge and advice once you've moved in, don't hesitate to give us a call. We don't think our job is done – and dusted – once you have those keys in your hand.
