Cleaning in advance of house move. What not to miss?

GreyQueen

If you can get them out, I'd have the appliances out now, and clean under and behind them, so that on the day a quick wipe will be sufficient. Also, for appliances which are coming with you, a bit of time cleaning the sides and back will mean that you won't have your paws in any grease on moving day.

I won't re-iterate the many excellent suggestions that others have already posted, only to wish that I was moving in behind you, as it seems to be my destiny in this life to move in after dirty beggars and leave spotless places behind me!:rotfl:

Floss

I was going to say behind & under your appliances, then it isn't quite as embarassing on moving day when they are removed!

Wiping curtain rails / light fittings / light switches / plug sockets always makes somewhere look clean & fresh.

rosie383

Thanks for the suggestions. I think I'm getting there. We have uplight type light fittings which are a pain for collecting dust and hapless bugs! I have washed those. Good idea about pulling out appliances now. I would hate to do loads of cleaning only to get a comment or look when the washing machine is pulled out!!
I will have a go around the light switches now while the dinner is on as that's a wee quick job.

Sequeena

Skirting boards! We aren't moving until August time but I'm packing non essentials and deep cleaning now.

CathA

Open the windows and clean the inside of the opening. We had one house where the people told me they hadn't opened the window for 12 years and in between the opening part and the frame was millions of spiders eggs and nests-yuk!! Took me 4 rolls of kitchen roll and 4 hours just to clean one window. Also,check the seals around the inside of the windows, they can become a bit mouldy. Wish I was mving into your house, this one was filthy!! x

rosie383

Note to self:

DO NOT CLEAN TILE SPLASHBACK BEHIND AND AROUND COOKER AND CLEAN THE COOKER UNTIL IT GLEAMS THEN DECIDE TO COOK HM FISH AND CHIPS!

I'D FORGOTTEN HOW BADLY THE B*GGERS SPIT!

Honestly, I finished cleaning the cooker and tiles then immediately started to cook. Made me realise why I buy battered fish ready to go in the oven.

Used the time while helping DD2 with homework to pull out the washing machine and fridge freezer so floor, walls and appliances are dust and grease-free and millions of cobwebs are gone.

DigForVictory

You have already cleared your loft? Awe!

Have you sorted a "handover kit" with map of house with stopcocks, main pipes & cables (eg phone/broadband socket) marked, a handful of the nice takeaway places menus, and a map where the local GP, dentist & A&E are marked?
Possibly and schools, post office, library, off-licence...

The truly generous might leave their list of reliable folks who decorate, wire, plumb, sort gas etc too. On the strict understanding that they've done a good job for you in the past but that the local gossipnet will keep
more up to date.

We moved doctor & dentist very easily when we said goodbye with card & tin of biscuits - yet something else to consider?!

All the best and thank you for all your hard work for your buyer!

MandM90

Wow, rosie, how lovely - when we moved into our family home as a kid, I remember the vendors had left loo roll, washing up liquid and soap. Good people do exist (and you're one of them)

jackomdj

Radiators! Ours accumulate dust between the two layers (they have two layers with a wavey metal bit hidden between if that makes sense), and on the bits where it joins the wall.

If your furniture is moveable in bedrooms move it and Hoover under/ dust skirting.

The underside of kitchen cupboards, these sometimes get splatters of grease. the extractor hood sheet, ours is metal and just needs a god soak/scrub but I know some are washable and others are disposable. Inside the oven.

Grass, when we moved into our current house the grass was so long it took a couple of cuts before it looked better.

I always leave houses looking nice but it is amazing how some people leave them.

rosie383

Radiators! Thanks. That's going on the list. I use an old sock over a bent wire coat hanger to clean inside and behind but if anyone knows a better solution then fire away.

Got dh to clear the loft the other day. Well, he just handed all of the dusty, cobwebby, dirty stuff down to me and I spent the rest of the day sorting, chucking, cleaning.

The buyer just lives a couple of streets away so no need to tell her about local stuff. Good suggestion for others who will find this thread.

I did clean inside the window openings a few months ago. I will revisit those. Hopefully they will need just a quick wipe.