Cleaning A House Checklist

Posted on February 24, 2020September 20, 2022 by jstfort

Pre- and Post-Move Cleaning Checklist

Moving a house can be a challenging experience. You have to adequately plan it for everything to happen as per your schedule. When you are planning to move there are many things that you have to do and one of them is cleaning. The idea of cleaning can be daunting to many but if it is done on time it will help you reduce unnecessary baggage when moving. When you clean your current house, you will ensure that the house is in good condition and your deposit will be guaranteed. No matter how tired you are you should try to clean it so that your moving process will be easy. In addition, before you move, clean the house you are moving into. This way you will not be worried about any germs or dirt once you have settled. Besides, you will not have time to clean once your boxes are delivered.

Moving out cleaning tips

For the cleaning to be effective it is critical that you have cleaning supplies at hand. There are certain cleaning supplies that you cannot do without when moving your house. Some of these include white vinegar, glass cleaners, disinfecting cleaners, dusting cloths, cleaning cloths, nylon-bristled scrubbers, and different kinds of brushes. It is vital that you should not load these items on your moving truck because you want to clean your current house quickly and move. It is recommended that you clean the house by task and not by room this way you will handle your takes as fast you can. You will need to follow the checklist below to help you during the moving process.

Move Out Cleaning Checklist

Now that you have the basics on what cleaning should involve before and after the move the next aspect is to do a checklist that will guide you to do the cleaning effectively.

Kitchen

Empty all your drawers and cabinets out then wipe them clean with a mild cleaner and soft sponge. Do not forget to remove your liners and replace them with new ones, once they have dried completely. Clean countertops with warm soapy water and disinfect them to reduce bacterial and mold growth. Use specialized glass cleaner to make all the glass elements in your kitchen to shine. Scrub your sinks and faucets with appropriate cleaning products use chlorine-free bleach to make them shine. Drop lemon slices to remove any odors. Empty and clean the refrigerator by removing the drawers and shelves and wipe with the right appliance inside with soapy water. Remove the grills from the oven and racks and scrub them clean with soapy water. You can use steel wool to scrub and pay attention to the oven glass door. Remove all the grease and grime from the entire stove surface. For the dishwasher, shake baking soda and damp sponge and wipe down all the surfaces. Add a small amount of bleach to remove any bacteria. Finish the cleaning by sweeping and mopping the kitchen floor.

Bathrooms

Tiles

Scrub the tiles and grout with a cleaner that contains bleach and rinse them well.

Tub and shower

Clean the tub, shower road, tub fixtures, shower head, and the shower enclose and ensure that all the soap scum is removed. Use adequate disinfectant to rinse all the surfaces well this will ensure that there is no bacteria build-up.

Sinks

Scour the sink and pay attention to the handles, faucets and chromed surfaces. Use an old toothbrush to get to areas that are hard to reach with a normal brush.

Countertops and vanities

Remove all the items and clean them with soapy water and a damp cloth.

Toilet

Sanitize the toilet tank, bowl, and seat and wipe the roll holder.

Clean the bathroom floor well.

Bedrooms and living room

Clean the window frames, sills, casings, tracks, blinds and glass panels. Clean all the flying screens inside and outside. Wash the curtains and wipe down air conditioners.

Empty wardrobes and polish the surfaces if possible. For any fabric or leather apply a protector to keep them clean and shiny. Wash the rugs and clean them well.

Outside area

It is not applicable if you are living in an apartment. However, if you have one clean all the storage areas and shed floor. remove all your possessions from your yard and eliminate dust and cobwebs from window sills and evens. Ensure the outdoor lighting is clean and in working condition.

Moving in cleaning checklist

Apart from following the cleaning tips for the move out you should also follow the cleaning tips and embrace the checklist when moving into your new home. You can use the tips that we have indicated previously. However, this will depend on what you have in the area.

Deep clean the house before your items are delivered

It is important to note that you will not have to clean once your items arrive at your new destination. Cleaning them before you move helps a lot because once they are delivered you will be maintaining the cleanliness. You should take some time to clean the house that you are moving into because once you have all the items delivered with boxes crowding over you will not have a chance to do a deep cleaning.

Kitchen

Cabinets, drawers, and counters

Wipe down all the drawers, countertops, and cabinets with disinfectant spray. Add a lining to the cabinets, countertops, drawers once they are disinfected and allow it to dry.

Fridge and stovetop

Remove all the top parts of the drawers, fridge shelves and clean them before moving into cleaning the fridge itself. Soak them in a tub filled with warm soapy water. After some time dry the parts once you have wiped all the surfaces of the fridge and stovetop. After cleaning to prevent any odors place a tray of fresh or used coffee grounds at the back.

Dishwasher

Pour a cup of white vinegar on a dishwasher container and place it on top of the rack of the washer. Run the washer for one cycle and you should have a clean washer.

Bathroom

Toilets

Replace all the toilet seats and covers. This is an inexpensive way to ensure that you have a fresh and clean start. Wipe down every surface including the medicine cabinets with disinfectant spray.

General

Once you have settled sage your home, this will give it a new start and clear any negative energy that may be lingering in space. Place the sage in a clay bowl or any other heatproof surface and light a match. Give the sage a few minutes to build some nice smoke before you begin to clean the house.

Take pictures

Before you unpack take some time to take pictures or videos of the entire home. This will help you track the cleanliness and how you can arrange your items.

Cleaning a home is very important when moving out and moving in. Everyone wants to feel at home in a new house and cleanliness is a big part of that. whether moving locally, out of state or international be sure you book the right moving company to help make the process as smooth as possible. Click here for a free estimate today.

Tips For Moving A Hot Tub

Posted on January 16, 2020May 26, 2022 by jstfort

Is It Worth It To Move A Hot Tub? If So – How To Move A Hot Tub?

When it comes to moving there are a lot of challenges that we usually face a myriad of challenges and you should have the right team with you to make the process smooth and easy. Whether you are moving a hot tub to a new home or you are moving it to a new place it will not be an easy process if you do not have the right technique and proper tools. The good news is that with adequate planning and perfect supplies you can handle it with ease. The big question we want to know is how to moving a hot tub works. A typical hot tub without water can weigh around 900 pounds and this will require proper planning to avoid damage to the tub. If you can get the services of a professional company you can handle the process without thinking about damages or any other aspects. However, if you want to handle moving a hot tub by yourself here are the steps that you should follow.

1. Gather moving supplies

The first step to making a successful hot tub move is to ensure that you have all the necessary moving tools and supplies. The list should include two furniture dollies, moving straps, cleaning supplies and several large plywood pieces. You can find these supplies at your local hardware store.

2. Reserve a moving truck

Before you begin the process of moving your hot tub you must have a moving truck ready to help you with moving a tub. Depending on the size of your hot tub you can rent a box truck that is at least 15 feet. It is important that you should measure the hot tub before moving it. Your rental truck should have a loading ramp to make the process smooth and easy. There are plenty of companies that can allow you to rent trucks.

3. Recruit moving help

It is vital to note that you cannot move the hot tub alone. You must choose a moving company to help you during the move, or a team of friends/family. When you hire professionals in the field you will be sure that they will do a good job. You do not have to worry about damage because they are experienced in the field. It will be necessary to have at least three people with serious muscles to help you move the tub. However, you can increase the number to five or six to allow you to handle the process smoothly.

4. Evaluate your surroundings

One of the main aspects when you are trying to move your hot tub you should check the surrounding landscape. If you have a tight spot or an area that will give you a wiggle room to make it easy to turn when moving the hot tub. If moving the hot tub is going to damage your yard’s landscaping then it is important that you find a moving technique that will make the process seamless.

5. Disconnect the hot tub

Before you begin the process, you must disconnect the hot tub before draining it. You should unplug the spa from the electrical components. Ensure that you have put all the cords away and water will not reach the electrical units to prevent shocks. If possible, place all the cords in waterproof bags to prevent them from getting wet during the moving process.

6. Drain your tub

Once you have unplugged all the cords the next and important aspect is to drain the tub, this is dumping out all the water. Drain the hot tub by following your manufacturer’s instructions. You do not want to flood your yard with water. You can use a pump to drain the water. Once you have drained it clean the hot tub.

7. Carry out a route planning

One of the fundamental things when moving a hot tub is to plan your route. Whether it is a small gate opening, stairs or narrow pathway you should come up with a plan that will make your process easy. Plan ahead of time to prevent any complication during the day of the move.

8. Place the plywood under the hot tub

It is important to note that placing plywood underneath the hot tub will help in creating a smooth and flat surface during the move. it will also make it easier to roll the furniture dollies underneath the tub. You will need at least three people to help in lifting each corner before placing the wood.

9. Sliding the furniture dollies underneath the hot tub

The next step is to slide the dollies underneath the tub. This is assuming that the pathway of the moving truck is flat. However, if the path is narrow you should carefully turn to the hot tub on the side with the help of several people before sliding the dollies underneath. To ensure that your hot tub does not fall off during transit, you should try to secure it using moving straps.

10. Roll the hot tub into the loading ramp and load it into the moving truck

This is the last step and once you have secured your hot tub to the dollies, carefully and slowly roll it towards the moving truck. You will need at least four people to push it into the truck. Thereafter ensure that one person gets into the truck to secure the hot tub into the truck. The dollies should be in place to make it easy to unload and roll the hot tub into a new position once you reach your new destination.

It is always important to do your homework before you move. Plan and get all your moving supplies before moving any item, especially one that is tricky such as a hot tub. This will answer most questions on how to move a hot tub. To ensure that your hot tub arrives at your destination safely, strongly consider hiring professionals. Click here to get a free estimate.

Guide For Moving Paintings & Art

Posted on January 3, 2020September 23, 2021 by jstfort

How To Move Art And Paintings

Art is an investment. A single painting can easily cost thousands of dollars – and could even have a value defined as something else than the monetary worth of the piece. The value of art or a painting can be defined by several factors, including ritualistic and cultural factors, as well as sentimental value.

When you decide to move, the transportation of any art and paintings in your house should be handled with care. Without the right approach, you might end up disappointed when you open up these pieces at your new house, only to find that your valued possessions have been damaged. We take a look at the most effective methods to move art and paintings to a new house, without risking damage.

Moving Your Art And Paintings

Moving seems like a relatively simple process. You simply pack all of your possessions into boxes, load them up in the moving truck, and they are taken to your new home. Unfortunately, with some items, you do need to take a few extra steps – this is especially important with the items you own that have a lot of value to them. This includes both monetary and sentimental value.

Wrapping The Art

The process should start with packing. First, consider if the painting has a glass cover at its front. If it does, then you can skip ahead to wrapping it with paper or bubble wrap. If not, however, you need to get some plastic wrap first. Cover the entire painting with this wrap as it will help to prevent damage to the painting itself.

You need to get paper or bubble wrap, as well as a lot of cardboard. Start by wrapping your paintings in paper pads – add multiple layers to increase the protection. Each of your paintings or art pieces need to be enclosed with paper or bubble wrap, as well as cardboard. Make sure to add additional cardboard at the corners of the product, should it be a painting.

For paintings and are framed in glass, put a thick cardboard cover over the glass before wrapping it with the paper or bubble wrap. This will act as a protective layer to the glass to sure that your item is transported safely.

When you place the painting or art in a box, be sure to add multiple paper or bubble wrap layers at the bottom of the box. In addition to covering the bottom region of the box, make sure to add some paper or bubble wrap to the sides as well. You want to maximize the protection of the product.

It is also a good idea to consider adding some scrunched-up paper to the bottom of the box, as well as the sides as you place the paper in the box.

Taking Precaution

Be sure to make appropriate marks on the paintings. Use a permanent marker to add an “X” to the wrapping of paintings where glass is present. This will help you see which of the paintings are at risk of not only becoming damaged but also a glass panel breaking.

The same procedure should ideally be followed for sculptures and other art. Thoroughly cover the entire item in cling wrap. Follow this by many layers of bubble wrap. The more wrapping you add, the better the protection. Make sure to mark the boxes of sculptures and other art, particularly in cases where the sculpture is fragile.

Large and small boxes

Most likely you will be boxing your framed art. You need to box your items in a way that will maximize the protection of your art pieces. After wrapping your framed art you will want to put it in a smaller box. The smaller box will have rolled tissue paper in it at the bottom and the top. This will act as a bumper while for the art piece and provides extra cushioning while in the box. You will then put the small box in the larger box with rolled cushioning inside the larger box to provide the same protection as you did with the smaller box. Check out our video on packing with small and large boxes.

Valuables and Fragiles

Protecting your extremely valuable and fragile art is a priority when moving. These pieces require extra attention. Depending on the art piece, putting the item in a traditional box may not be the best move. Extremely valuable and fragile items can be crated to ensure no possible damage. There are many ways to crate valuable pieces of art. Whether its foam covering, layered crate walls, or heated shrink wrap, all of these are customized to your specific art piece. This customized protection will ensure that these very important pieces arrive at the destination safely.

Crating Items Sculptures

If you do find that your sculptures are not appropriate for wrapping and fitting in a box, then you should consider crating them. This can be an effective method for keeping the sculpture in pristine condition while it is being transported. Many sculptures can have on angles and points that won’t fit into a traditional box. On top of this, some sculptures are extremely fragile. Packing these sculptures in a crate will be the best strategy for protecting this kind of art piece

When moving with art and paintings, you need to ensure you take special precautions during the packaging and transit of these items. We looked at a step-by-step guide to help preserve your precious possessions and ensure they come out in pristine condition at your new home. To hire a professional mover trained to pack for safety, click here for a free estimate.

How to Pack Video Series

Posted on October 15, 2010June 4, 2018 by olympiamoving

Packing can seem intimidating. Fortunately, our comprehensive “How to Pack” video series is here to guide you!

Still intimidated? Then maybe you should consider calling in the professionals: hire packing services.

You can find more packing tips in our moving resource center.