Moving into a new apartment can be exciting and daunting at the same time. If you are moving into brand new and previously unoccupied construction, you’ll have to worry about toxic construction dust and dirt; if you’re moving into a space where tenants have already lived, you’ll have a new set of problems, and here are seven areas you just have to clean before you relocate.
Bathroom Exhaust Fan
Of course, you know that the tub, shower, bathroom sink, and the toilet need to be cleaned and disinfected, but don’t ignore the bathroom exhaust fan. It can be full of grimy dust and dirt, and if you take off the protective cover, you might find insect infestation or even mouse droppings, so be sure to pay attention to the ceiling exhaust fan area.
Garbage Disposal
Garbage disposals can quickly become smelly messes, and if the previous tenant has left some food particles in the machine, they can cause your kitchen to smell seriously bad. Make sure that you turn the disposal on, flush it with water, and if a smell still persists, look for the proper products to clean it thoroughly.
Dishwasher
Many people think that dishwashers are self-cleaning because fresh soap is added to them during every wash cycle. Check inside, though, and you’ll find a filter that can be clogged with years of food residue. Some soaps also leave a nasty and clingy scum, so before you load any of your stuff into the dishwasher, make sure it is sanitized and clean.
Refrigerator
We’ve all seen dirty refrigerators, and we all know that bacteria can grow at cold temperatures—just not as rapidly as it grows in the danger zone between 40 and 140 degrees. Check the door gaskets and the glass shelf supports and connectors for hidden dirt and grime.
Cabinets
Your mom probably used shelf paper to line cabinet shelves, and while you may not need to do that, you should remove all of the cabinet shelves and thoroughly clean every square inch of cabinet space. We don’t want to be gross, but insect eggs are hard to detect, and they can lie dormant for a long time.
Door Knobs
Whether you live in a cheap apartment in Chicago or an expensive place in New York City, it’s important to do a bacterial swab test on any area of your apartment and you’ll find huge amounts of growing things on every doorknob. Of course, not all of these bacteria, molds, and viruses will be harmful, but some of these creatures can retreat into spores that lie dormant for months.
Remote
It’s well-known that the TV remote control is one of the dirtiest items you’ll find, and networx.com tells us: “In fact, the remote control in a typical hotel room is considered dirtier than the toilet, sink handles, door handles, and even the infamous bedspread, according to Dr. Charles Gerba in the environmental microbiology department at the University of Arizona.”
The verdict: clean that remote!
We know you understand that you need to start fresh in a new apartment, but pay attention to the seven tips above and take care of the cleaning chores we have mentioned before you move in.
Blog Contributor: Abodo.com
