The big day has almost arrived and you’re about to move into your new home. That’s fantastic! It’s an exciting time, and everyone involved is likely focused on packing up all their stuff and getting it transported.
But there’s another issue that you are likely thinking about – or will think about soon. And that is this: How do you clean your new place and stay organized after the unpacking is done?
Look at this as an opportunity to take a new approach to how you organize your home. Here are some tips to get you started.
1. Do The First Cleaning Before You Unpack
This may seem like adding too much work during a time when you are still packing and unpacking your belongings, but it will pay off in the long run.
Before you start unpacking all your stuff, take the time to do a thorough cleaning of your new home. This is best done before moving day, if possible. Why should you clean first? You’ll be able to have a home you are comfortable in from Day 1. You also will be able to reach every nook and cranny if you clean before you unpack.
Finally, cleaning before you unpack will help you get a handle on how much cleaning you must do in your new place. This includes cleaning the filter on the dishwasher, sinks, tubs, light fixtures, ceiling fans and vacuuming thoroughly.
2. Unpacking Kids’ Rooms First
If you have a room for a child or a nursery for a baby, a smart move is to unpack these rooms first.
As tough as moving can be on adults, it’s even more disconcerting for children. Unpacking their room first and getting everything into place will make the transition much smoother for them. Having all their stuff out where they can see it also makes it easier for kids to settle in quickly.
3. The Kitchen
This is the next stop. The kitchen is the nucleus of every home. You want that unpacked and organized right away, which will give everyone a better sense of “being home.”
Also, practically speaking, you will be ready to cook and serve meals. All the essential items should be unpacked first, such as flatware, silverware, the cooking dishes and utensils you use the most, dish towels and oven mitts. Make sure all of this is unpacked and in place as quickly as possible. Then, you can add all the other items.
4. Organizing Furniture
Much like the kitchen, you want to place all the major furniture pieces first. Hopefully, you already had an idea of where you wanted chairs, couches, and beds and were able to get the movers to place them there.
Whatever the case, now is the time to find a good spot for all your biggest furniture pieces, such as the television, computers, and tables. Also, if you use baskets or an end table drawer to store things, come up with a plan for exactly what you plan to put in them. Otherwise, things tend to overflow quickly and make cleaning harder.
5. Just What You Need Every Day
Now that the kitchen, beds and biggest furniture are in place, you can unpack just what you need to get through every day. Typically, this means clothes in your closet and toiletries in your bathroom.
Again, have a place picked out for everything and keep it to just the items you actually need every day. Keeping things simple and straightforward will keep things organized and easier to clean.
Once you’ve set a cleaning schedule, you are now good to go. It’s often at this stage that people discover they have packed things they truly don’t need – the post-move purge is not as big as the pre-move purge, but it still happens. Don’t feel bad about that. It’s something almost everyone does when they move.
Keep these ideas in mind when you move and it can make cleaning your new home easier, as well as keep you more organized as you unpack. It will make it even more enjoyable to settle into your new home.
