When you’re moving home – whether as a renter or a home-owner – there’s a lot to think about.
Here are my top cleaning tips when moving home, to make your move as stress-free as possible.
But first, let me share my moving day nightmare.
My carpet catastrophe
I’d packed everything, and the furniture van had driven away. I had friends round for a last dinner in my empty flat. We had made a makeshift table out of cardboard box, and I was cooking a chilli for everyone. It felt like camping – it was fun.
Then disaster struck. The cardboard table collapsed, and my delicious chilli spilled all over the carpet. Cue frantic scraping, blotting, wiping – wishing I’d left the carpet shampoo to hand – but to no avail. I was left with a huge, chilli-red stain on the carpet, and a stress headache.
Result? An insurance claim for a whole carpet, and a bill for the £500 excess – just hours before I moved out.
Never again. Now I plan my move to avoid last-minute dramas. Read on for my top tips.
#1: Plan ahead
Summer is a popular time for moving home. Professional services such as carpet and window cleaners get booked up weeks in advance. So it pays to plan ahead. Think about when your furniture will be moving, so your cleaning team can get to work with the minimum of clutter. Make sure it’s all finished well before you need to hand over your keys.
#2: Talk to the professionals
Surprisingly, it takes longer to clean an empty home than a furnished one. Cobwebs, dust bunnies and mystery stains come to light that were hidden under your furniture and belongings. With cupboards and wardrobes empty, your cleaners can tackle inside as well as outside surfaces. Speak to your professional cleaning service to get an estimate of the time they will need, and the cost.
#3: Declutter before you pack
Start packing for moving home well ahead of time and take the opportunity to declutter. Regift, recycle, sell or donate anything you no longer need. It cuts down on packing and unpacking time, and your new home will be calmer and easier to organise.
#4: Clean as you go
Tackle one room at a time, and do a quick clean once everything is packed. Wipe down surfaces, vacuum, and check for damage. This will make your professional clean quicker and more efficient.
#5: Protect floors and carpets
It’s not just chilli that’s a risk to your carpets on moving day. Use old sheets or plastic runners to protect flooring when you are shifting furniture. This is not the moment for muddy footprints.
#6: Check your inventory and tenancy agreement
If you’re renting, you’ll want to check any requirements in your tenancy agreement. Make sure you know what your landlord is expecting, so there are no last-minute unwanted surprises. Check your inventory and report any damage or breakages well ahead of time.
#7: Requirements for sellers
If you’re selling your home, make sure you understand key documents in your conveyancing pack. The Fixtures and Contents Form specifies what you’ll leave behind (think curtain poles, light fittings, appliances). Be sure to stick to what you’ve agreed.
The conditions of sale usually require you to leave your home in a reasonable state of repair. This could include repairing any damage to plaster and decor when you remove picture hooks, TV brackets or shelving. Be ready with your filler and keep those tester pots handy for quick paint touch-ups.
#8: Gather useful information
Be a considerate seller and gather up warranties, instruction booklets and manuals for appliances such as the boiler, cooker, and alarm. For extra brownie points, leave a note with the bin collection day, local services and helpful contact numbers.
#9: Arrange utilities and change of address
Make sure to set up utilities at your new address and cancel or transfer services from the old one. Don’t forget to update your address with banks and other essential services. It’s a great idea to set up mail forwarding with the post office, just in case you’ve missed anything important.
#10: Moving home essentials box
Plan the last box you pack so it has everything you need for your old home and your new place. Think kettle, mugs, tea and coffee, microfibre cloths and all-purpose cleaner for last minute cleanups. You’ll be grateful when you’re sitting down for your first cuppa in your new home.
#11: Last walk-through
Once the movers and cleaners have finished, do one last walkthrough. Check for forgotten items, especially things hanging behind doors. Take final photos and ensure everything is clean and ready for handover.
So that’s it! You’re all packed and ready to go. Good luck with your move and enjoy your new home.
