How to Deep Clean a House When Moving Home

Out of all the home moving tasks that you need to do, many people would consider packing and cleaning as being the worst two.

But the trouble is they go together, you cannot properly clean without the packing having been completed.

So whilst you will almost certainly want to deep clean the home you are moving into, it is also good home moving etiquette to clean the home you are moving out of.

And if you are moving out of rented accommodation then you will definitely have to give the place a really good clean before moving out if you want to get your security deposit back.

So where do you start, and what is the best way to deep clean a home?

If you are looking for advice about specific items or rooms that you need to deep clean, then this week’s home moving blog is for you.

How to Prepare Your Home for a Deep Clean When Moving

Before you can thoroughly clean your home, and to save money on moving costs, declutter your home as much as possible.

Anything that is cheaper to replace than to pay to pack and move, and things that you no longer use or need, should all be sold, donated, or recycled.

It is worth creating a floor plan of your new home to ensure any furniture you intend to take actually fits in the available space.

Do this in advance of getting your in-home moving cost estimate so that the removal company knows exactly what they are quoting you to move.

You may also like to read: The Epic Guide to Decluttering for a Home Move. In this guide, we give you some invaluable tips about decluttering your home as well as suggest ways to cope with detaching yourself emotionally from your possessions.

If you are packing for your home move yourself, you may want to pack and clean a room at a time so that you can close the door and forget about that room.

Hiring professional packers will make your home move far less stressful and will take a far shorter time, but will also leave you less time to clean, as they tend to pack just before moving day.

But you could also consider having your things moved into storage, allowing you plenty of time to thoroughly clean your old and new home. It is very inexpensive to hire a storage unit and will allow you time to thoroughly disinfect your new home before all your things are moved in.

You may also like to read: Are Home Packing Services Worth the Money? In this guide, we explain what professional packers do, how it will make your home move so much easier, the average cost, and whether it makes sense to hire packers for your home move.

What Materials Do I Need to Deep Clean a Home?

The materials you need to give a house a really good deep clean will vary depending upon the type of surfaces in your home, for example, if you have carpets and rugs or laminate flooring, but here is a cleaning materials checklist that the average home will need.

• Step ladder
• Mop
• Bucket
• Feather duster
• Lint roller
• Cloths, sponges, and rags
• Thick rubber gloves
• Scrubbing brush
• Old toothbrushes
• Disinfectant and cleaning solutions
• Baking powder
• Vinegar
• Broom
• Vacuum cleaner

How Do You Deep Clean a Home Naturally When Moving?

If you prefer to clean your home with natural products rather than harsh chemicals then this section is for you.

According to a study at Bergen University using cleaning products every day for 20 years is the equivalent of smoking 20 cigarettes a day for the same period!

No wonder many households are now seeking more natural ways to keep their homes clean.

So in this section, we will look at natural alternatives to shop-bought cleaning products.

But a note of warning first. Vinegar can be a very effective cleaner but be sure to test a small area first to ensure it is safe to use it where you intend to.

To prepare natural cleaning products you will need the following ingredients:

• Baking soda
• Borax
• Coarse sea salt
• Lemons
• White vinegar
• Castile soap
• Vodka or Rubbing alcohol
• Essential oils
• Water
• Spray bottles
• Lidded jar

How to Make a Natural All-Purpose Cleaner

To make a castile soap all-purpose cleaner mix:

• 2 cups of distilled water
• ¼ cup of castile soap
• 15 drops of lavender or peppermint or orange essential oil

To make a natural vinegar all-purpose cleaner mix:

• 1 cup  of distilled water
• 1 cup of distilled white vinegar
• ½ the juice of 1 lemon (optional)
• 15 drops of lavender or peppermint, lemon, or orange essential oil

Note: Do not use the vinegar cleaner on marble or granite surfaces and avoid citrus-based castile soap.

How to Make a Natural Scrub

To make a scrubbing cleaner mix for tough grease and grime:

• 1 cup of baking soda
• ¼ cup of castile soap
• 1 tablespoon of hydrogen peroxide
• Lidded jar – after filling the jar with the mix leave a couple of centimeters as the compound will expand. Always keep the jar lidded or the mix will harden.

Allow the solutions to sit for a few minutes before wiping with a damp cloth for a sparkling clean result.

How to Make a Natural Glass Cleaner

• ½ cup of rubbing alcohol
• 1/3 cup of distilled white vinegar
• Distilled water
• Mix the alcohol and vinegar. Decant into a 16oz bottle then fill with water.
• If you wish you can add essential oils to mask the vinegar smell

How to Make a Natural Powder Toilet Cleaner

• ½ cup of baking soda
• ½ cup of borax
• ½ cup of coarse sea salt
• 15 drops of essential oil

Combine all the ingredients in a jar, then sprinkle the powder around the bowl of the toilet. Allow to sit for 15 minutes, scrub the bowl with a toilet brush, then flush for a sparkling clean toilet.

All of the natural cleaning solutions above are from www.livesimply.me. There is lots of useful information about naturally cleaning your home, and much more besides on that really useful website.  

 18 Natural Ingredient Cleaning Hacks

• To clean your sink drain pour one cup of baking soda down it followed by two cups of vinegar.
• To remove carpet stains make a solution of 1 part vinegar to 2 parts water and spray onto the stain. Place a wet rag over the stained area, then, with your iron on the steam setting, iron over the wet rag to remove the stain.
• Buff stainless steel with olive oil. Put a little oil onto a soft cloth and clean in circular motions.
• Use a few drops of basil essential oil mixed into water to clean tile grout.
• Clean your dishwasher by adding two cups of vinegar to the bottom of the empty machine and then running a hot cycle.
• To clean copper naturally, dip wedges of lemon in salt, rub the copper then quickly rinse in cold water before buffing with a dry cloth.
• Wooden chopping boards can be cleaned by sprinkling with coarse salt and then rubbing with half a lemon. Leave for about 5 minutes then rinse with a damp sponge.
• Remove baked-on food from baking trays with a solution of ½ a cup of water mixed with ½ cup of baking soda. Let the solution sit on the tray for about an hour before scrubbing the sheet clean.
• To clean burnt pots and pans use a solution of 1 cup of water and 1 cup of vinegar. Fill the pot with the solution, bring to a boil, remove from the heat, and add 2 tablespoons of baking soda. The solution should then start to fizz, once that has finished, scrub the pot before finally rinsing it with hot water. Any remaining baked-on dirt patches can be scrubbed with baking soda before a final rinse in hot water.
• Fill a plastic bag with vinegar, tie it around the showerhead so that it is immersed in the vinegar, and leave overnight for a sparkling clean showerhead.
• Rings around the bath can be removed by rubbing them with half a grapefruit dipped in salt.
• Mattresses and upholstery can be sprinkled with baking soda and then vacuumed to clean them.
• Taps can be left gleaming by wiping them with a cut lemon.
• Create a natural air freshener by mixing 15 drops of essential oil, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 2 cups of water in a spray bottle.
• You can use vodka to clean porcelain, chrome, and glass. Just spray it on and wipe it off.
• Vodka can also be used to kill odour-causing bacteria on clothes. Just spray your clothes and allow them to dry. You may want to test the fabric first to ensure it is colour fast.
• Clean hardwood floors with a solution of 2 cups of vinegar mixed with 2 cups of vegetable oil. Spray and then buff with a soft dry cloth. Test an inconspicuous area first to make sure it does not stain your floor.
• A mix of ½ cup of warm water and a few drops of vegetable oil makes a great furniture polish.

You may also like to read: Which are the Best Home Moving Blogs to Follow? In this guide, you will find suggestions for some great blogs that are packed with lots of information about decluttering, cleaning, organising, renovating, decorating, and plenty more topics that will make your new home your dream home.

Where do I Start Deep Cleaning my House When Moving?

Always start high up and work your way down to floor level within the house and within each room.

Work left to right in every room so that you know exactly what has been cleaned, and so there will be no risk of pushing dust onto an already cleaned surface.

As to which room you clean first this will depend upon the rooms you are packing first.

You may like to read: What to Pack First When Moving Home. In this guide, we suggest a packing order not only for individual items but by room as well.

When you get to your new home clean the rooms that you will be using straight away such as the bathroom, bedrooms, and kitchen.

Don’t forget to keep the route between the removal lorry and your home well-swept.

You don’t want unnecessary dirt being traipsed into your home.

Use floor covering where possible to protect your floors as the removal team moves in and out.

How to Clean a Whole House Quickly When Moving

If however, you have the luxury of having the house completely empty then there are fast ways to clean a home.

When cleaning an entire home most professional cleaners opt for the ‘task cleaning’ method.

This means that you complete each task, not each room.

So you dust the entire house first, spray the tiles in the bathroom, and then spray the tiles in the kitchen. Return to the bathroom and wipe them clean, then back to the kitchen and wipe clean.

The idea is that you can move faster between rooms, rather than keep swapping and changing tasks. You will walk more, but the process should be faster.

And to clean windows super quick use a window blade. They cost very little but will make cleaning so much faster and not leave your windows streaked.

Carry all of your cleaning supplies in a bucket so that you don’t need to keep going back to the cupboard to get them.

And when you do the final mop or vacuum through, start upstairs working your way down to, and out of, the front door.

You can do a thorough clean of the home before moving day so that on moving day it is just a case of a wipe-over rather than having to waste time doing a full deep clean.

And when you get to your new home, give the place a clean before you start to unpack.

Be sure to wear gloves when you first arrive in your new home until you are sure that you have thoroughly cleaned.

If you are short of time then perhaps you will clean the rooms that you will use straight away such as the bathroom, kitchen, and bedrooms.

When cleaning your new home dispose of the cleaning cloths in a sealed bag to prevent any chance of bacteria or viruses remaining in the home.

How do I Clean the Walls in my House When Moving?

Learn the best way to clean walls when moving out or moving into a new home:

How to Clean Painted Walls

• Safety first: Ensure that you do not get light switches or electrical sockets wet. It is best to turn off the electricity at the fuse box to be on the safe side.
• Warm soapy water should be enough to clean most painted walls. Have two buckets, one for the soapy solution, and one for rinsing water. Change the water regularly.
• For heavily stained walls add a cup of distilled white vinegar to a bucket of warm water. There is no need to rinse after using this solution as vinegar does not leave any residue.

How to Clean Wall-Papered Walls

• Safety first: Ensure that you do not get light switches or electrical sockets wet. It is best to turn off the electricity at the fuse box to be on the safe side.
• Dust the walls first.
• You can wash most wallpapers with warm soapy water, but test a small inconspicuous area first.
• Rinse off the cleaning solution with a damp cloth.
• To clean vinyl-coated wallpaper, soak a cloth in a white vinegar and warm water solution. Dab the walls clean and as always, test a small inconspicuous area before tackling a whole wall.
• Rinse off the cleaning solution with a damp cloth.

How do you clean soot off of a wall?

Use warm water and sponges to remove chimney soot from a wall.

How do you remove grease stains from a wall?

To remove grease from a wall use white chalk. Colour over the grease mark, allow to sit for about 15 minutes, then remove with a microfiber cloth.

How do you clean mold off of walls?

A warm water with white vinegar solution should remove mold from walls.

You may also like to read: How to Protect Walls, Floors, Doors, Stairs, and Ceilings When Moving Home. Most professional removal companies will place protection in your home to prevent any damage to the home. But if you are moving home yourself then this guide will help prevent any expensive damage being caused as you move out.

How to Clean Curtains When Moving Home

Warning: Always follow the care instructions on your curtains.

If you are taking your curtains with you when you move and they need dry cleaning, take them to the cleaners before you move. You won’t have to pay for packing and moving them then.

Here is a step-by-step guide to cleaning curtains:

• Vacuum the curtains first, or after taking them down, run them through the tumble dryer to clean the dust off.
• To stop the fabric being sucked into the nozzle of the vacuum cleaner use a soft brush attachment or a nylon stocking over the nozzle.
• Measure the curtains as you may need to stretch the curtains back into shape after washing them.
• Take down the curtains and remove the hooks and release the tape ties so that the curtains lay flat.
• Wash one set of curtains at a time as they can become extremely heavy when wet and you may end up overloading your washing machine.
• When hand washing curtains avoid wringing them as this may distort them.
• When drying the curtains avoid the wet fabric becoming folded and touching.
• If you are ironing the curtains do so whilst they are still damp.
• You may also be able to hang the curtains whilst they are damp and steam them smooth
• Lay the curtains out on a bed and retie the tapes to the original width.
• Whilst the curtains are washing take the time to clean the curtain rails, poles, and valances.
• When taking down and rehanging the curtains it is safer to have some help. Have someone hold the ladder and ideally, someone to take the weight of the curtain which makes it easier to unhook them from the rail.
• Net curtains should be washed with a mild detergent on a gentle setting.
• Rehang the nets when they are slightly damp so that they fall into shape.
• You may need to iron the hems or use a steam iron to smooth them.
• Velvet curtains can be cleaned with a slightly damp chamois cloth if they are not dirty enough to warrant getting them dry-cleaned.
• Silk curtains should only be hand washed with great care.

If you are selling the curtains with the house or you are renting and the curtains were already there you may be able to get away with cleaning them without taking them down.

• You may just be able to vacuum the dust from the curtains. If you need to use a ladder to reach the top of the curtains have someone hold the ladder steady for you.
• A lint roller can be used to remove any fibres and dust that your vacuum has been unable to.
• If your curtains are stained then you can hire a steam cleaner to clean them. Using a gentle setting, clean the curtains in small areas using vertical strokes.  (Be sure to check that it is safe to clean your curtains with steam)
• You can use fabric deodorisers to get freshen up the curtain fabric.
• And just by opening the windows, you will allow the curtains to be aired.

How to Deep Clean Tiled Floors When Moving Home

To deep clean tiled floors avoid using products with ammonia in them as this can discolour the grout.

Acids are also known to damage marble tiles so be careful with what cleaning products you choose.

To make a natural tiled floor cleaner add 1 cup of castile soap and 10-15 drops of lavender essential oil to a bucket of hot water.

Always start from the corner furthest away from your exit, left to right in an arcing motion, working your way to your exit doorway.

To deep clean a tiled floor you will need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Microfibre mop
• Soft broom
• Bucket
• Floor tile cleaner or natural floor cleaner
• Old towels

Instructions to deep clean a ceramic tiled floor:

• Vacuum up loose dirt and dust
• Mop floor using the solution
• Use the broom to remove any stubborn marks
• Mop the floor again with clean water
• Buff with old towels

For a really deep clean of your tiles, you can use a steam cleaner which is safe to use on all tile materials.

How to Deep Clean Wooden Floors When Moving Home

If your wooden floors are not properly sealed then using water on them is not a good idea as they may warp. It is better to use a spray than mop with a damp mop.

Always start from the corner furthest away from your exit, left to right in an arcing motion, working your way to your exit doorway.

To deep clean wooden floors, you will need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Microfibre mop
• Spray bottle
• Castile soap
• Hot water
• Rosemary or lavender essential oil

Instructions for deep cleaning wooden floors:

• Vacuum up loose dirt and dust
• In a spray bottle mix 1 teaspoon of castile soap with 10 drops of rosemary or lavender essential oil. Top up the bottle with hot water.
• Spray the solution onto the wooden floor
• Wipe over with the microfiber mop

How to Deep Clean Laminate Flooring When Moving Home

Never wet mop a laminate floor as it can cause the laminate to bubble, swell, fade, and even make the joints separate.

Start cleaning from the corner furthest away from your exit, left to right in an arcing motion, working your way to your exit doorway.

To deep clean laminate floors, you will need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Microfibre mop
• Spray bottle
• Castile soap
• Hot water
• Rosemary or lavender essential oil

Instructions for deep cleaning laminate floors:

• Vacuum up loose dirt and dust
• In a spray bottle mix 1 teaspoon of castile soap with 10 drops of rosemary or lavender essential oil. Top up the bottle with hot water.
• Spray the solution onto the mop head, ensuring that it is not wet, just damp
• Wipe over with the microfiber mop

Never use a steam cleaner on laminate floors and avoid acidic cleaning solutions.

How to Deep Clean Vinyl Flooring When Moving Home

Always start from the corner furthest away from your exit, left to right in an arcing motion, working your way to your exit doorway.

To give your linoleum floors a deep clean you will need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Microfibre mop
• Soft broom
• Bucket
• Old towels
• Hot water
• Baking soda
• Washing up liquid

Instructions to deep clean a vinyl floor:

• Vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt and dust
• Sprinkle the floor with baking soda
• To 1 gallon of hot water add a cup of vinegar and a few drops of washing-up liquid
• Mop the floor with the solution
• Use the broom to remove stubborn stains
• Rinse the floor with clean hot water
• Dry with old towels

How to Deep Clean Carpets When Moving Home

If you live in a rented home your contract may state that you have to get the carpets professionally cleaned at the end of your lease, but if not, then there are cheaper ways to get your carpet spotlessly clean.

How can you deep clean a carpet without a machine? You will need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Bucket
• Warm water
• Baking soda
• Salt
• Washing up liquid
• Spray bottle
• Stiff brush
• Old towels

Instructions on how to deep clean a carpet without a steam cleaner:

• Vacuum the carpet to get rid of loose dirt and dust
• Sprinkle the carpet with baking soda and salt
• Mix water and a small amount of washing-up liquid in the spray bottle
• Lightly spray the carpet with the cleaning solution and allow it to sit for a few minutes
• Using the broom, sweep the carpet in one direction which will lift out pet hairs and dirt from the carpet fibres.
• Dab the carpet with dry towels to soak up any moisture in the carpet
• Open doors and windows to allow the carpet to thoroughly dry
• Vacuum the carpet again

Top carpet cleaning tips:

• Rub indents left in a carpet by furniture with an ice cube, then brush the carpet so that the fibres fluff up again.
• Use a lint roller to remove pet hairs from carpets
• Use a window squeegee to remove pet hairs from short fibre carpets. Just apply some water to the blade of the squeegee and drag it over your carpet.
• Shaving foam will remove normal dirt stains from a carpet. Just spray the dirt with shaving foam, scrub the stain lightly, allow it to dry, then vacuum.
• Shag pile carpets are easier to clean, and you will get a deeper clean, by using the nozzle on the vacuum hose.

Warning:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions
• Be sure to clean an inconspicuous area to test the colour fastness of your carpets before attempting to clean them.
• Never overwet a carpet or the backing or underlay colour may seep through

How to Deep Clean Rugs When Moving Home

Generally, just sprinkling a rug with baking soda and then giving them a good vacuum will be enough to keep them clean.

But if they require a deep clean before you move home then here are the instructions for cleaning different types of rug materials.

To deep clean your woollen floor rugs you will need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Broom
• Gentle laundry detergent
• Bucket
• Cold Water
• Microfiber cloth
• Light coloured towels

How to Deep Clean a Wool Floor Rug

• Hang the rug over a strong railing or very strong clothesline and beat it with the handle of the broom to remove deep dust. You know when the rug is clean because the dust clouds will stop.
• Vacuum the rug to remove any loose dirt left on it
• Mix one cap of gentle laundry detergent in a bucket of cold water
• Dampen the microfiber cloth with the detergent solution. Do not make the rug wet as this could damage it.
• Working in the direction of the nap, gently dab the rug with the cloth
• Then dab another cloth over the rug again using fresh, clean water only
• Lay the rug out to dry
• When totally dry give it another vacuum

Warning:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions
• Be sure to clean an inconspicuous area to test the colour fastness of your rugs before attempting to clean them.
• Never over-wet a rug or the backing colour may seep through

How to Deep Clean Cotton Floor Rugs

Cotton floor rugs can be cleaned using the same method as for wool rugs above.

If they are really soiled they can be washed using a gentle detergent in your washing machine on a delicate cycle.

Be sure not to overload your washing machine though.

Larger rugs can be taken to a dry cleaner.

Warning:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions
• Be sure to clean an inconspicuous area to test the colour fastness of your rugs before attempting to clean them.

How to Deep Clean Synthetic Rugs

Synthetic rugs can be made from a variety of materials so always check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions.

But generally, synthetic rugs can be cleaned in the following way:

To deep clean a synthetic rug you will need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Broom
• Water
• Washing up liquid

Instructions on how to clean a synthetic floor rug:

• Vacuum the rug on both sides
• Lay in the bath or on the patio and wet thoroughly with cold water
• Smother the rug in washing up liquid
• Following the direction of the nap, gently work the liquid into the rug
• Thoroughly rinse the carpet with clean water
• Leave outside to dry thoroughly

Warning:

• Always follow the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions
• Be sure to clean an inconspicuous area to test the colour fastness of your rugs before attempting to clean them.

How to Deep Clean a Kitchen When Moving Home

The kitchen is probably one of the most time-consuming rooms to clean and pack when moving home.

Plan on using up all your fresh and frozen food supplies before moving day, as well as any opened jars or bottles. Liquids can often leak during the home move so it is not worth the risk of packing them.

As with all rooms in the home, start cleaning high working your way down to floor level, working left to right so that you do not get areas that you have already cleaned dirty again.

Read on to discover how to give your kitchen a deep clean.

• Use a feather duster to remove cobwebs from the ceiling, paying special attention to light fittings and corners.
• Dry duster or hoover the top of the cabinets (place wax paper on top of the cabinets to make it easier to clean in the future).
• Use an old sock to dry dust Venetian blinds if you have them.
• Clean the windows
• Remember to clean the inside of the window frames too
• Follow the guides below to clean each of the appliances and areas in your kitchen
• There are separate sections on how to clean different floor types and tiles in other sections of this deep clean guide.

How to Clean Kitchen Cabinets

• Vacuum out the empty cupboards
• Using a soapy water mix wipe out the cabinets with a damp soft cloth
• Wipe the outsides of the cabinets in the same way
• Leave the doors of the cabinets open so that they can fully dry

How to Clean a Stainless Steel Sink

• Wet the sink with hot water
• Coat the sink in a layer of bicarbonate of soda
• Use an old toothbrush or soft brush to scrub the sink
• Rinse well with hot water
• Clean the taps using baking soda and an old toothbrush

How to Deep Clean a Ceramic Sink

• Dampen around the sink with water
• Coat the sink with a layer of baking soda
• Use a damp sponge or cloth (not  too wet) to scrub the sink
• You can use lemons to return the ceramic sink to a sparkling white by rubbing lemon wedges around the sink.
• Gently squeeze the lemons so that the lemon juice coats the sink bowl.
• Leave to soak for 30 minutes
• Rinse with hot water
• Taps can be cleaned using baking soda and an old toothbrush

How to Clean a Microwave Oven

To clean the inside of a microwave oven, mix a tablespoon of vinegar into a cup of water and microwave on high for 5 minutes. The steam will penetrate any grease and dirt in the microwave making it easy to wipe clean.

How to Deep Clean a Fridge or Freezer

Before moving day it is a good idea to use up your food stocks which will also make cleaning your refrigerator a whole lot easier.

To deep clean your fridge or freezer you will need:

• Baking Soda
• Cleaning cloths
• Old towels
• Vacuum cleaner

How to Deep Clean a Refrigerator / Freezer

• Disconnect the fridge from the mains supply
• Empty the unit of all food
• Pull out all the drawers and shelves
• Soak the drawers and shelves in soapy water whilst you clean the rest of the fridge
• Mix 2 tablespoons of baking soda with a litre of hot water
• Soak the cleaning cloth in the solution and wipe out the inside of the fridge.
• Rinse with a damp cloth
• Finally, wipe over with a dry towel
• Dry off the shelves and drawers before replacing them
• To keep your fridge drawers clean, line them with paper which can be replaced as required and is easier than cleaning.
• Wipe down the outside of the fridge
• Remove the grill under the fridge and vacuum out the dust. Caution: Sometimes there is a drip tray under the fridge so check that there is no water in it before sticking your vacuum hose under the fridge.
• Give the rear of the fridge a gentle vacuum too.

You may also like to know: How to Pack a Kitchen for Moving Home. The kitchen is one of the hardest and most time-consuming rooms in the whole home to pack up. This guide is packed with useful tips to make the whole process easier ad faster whilst ensuring that your items are given the maximum protection during the home move.

How to Deep Clean a Washing Machine Naturally For Moving Home

To deep clean a washing machine using natural ingredients you will need:

• 2 tablespoons of borax
• 2 tablespoons of washing soda
• 2 cups of white vinegar
• 20 drops of tea tree essential oil
• Old toothbrush or cloth
• Microfiber cloth

How to deep clean a washing machine with natural ingredients:

• Remove and clean the detergent tray using hot soapy water and an old toothbrush or cloth
• Replace the detergent tray
• If your machine has a filter, clean it with hot water before replacing it
• Pour 2 tablespoons of borax into the wash drum
• Put 2 tablespoons of washing soda into the wash drum
• Run the hottest cycle the machine has, or a cleaning cycle if there is one
• When the cycle has finished, pour 2 cups of white vinegar and 20 drops of essential oil into the liquid dispenser tray.
• Run another hot water cycle
• When the cycle has finished, clean the drum with a microfiber cloth
• Pay special attention to cleaning the rubber door seal where gunge often collects
• Clean the outside of the machine with a microfiber cloth and vinegar solution

You may also like to know: How to Move a Washing Machine. In this guide, we show you how to prepare your washing machine for moving, how to disconnect, and then how to safely and easily move it to your new home.

How to Deep Clean a Dishwasher

To clean a dishwasher you will need:

• Bicarbonate of soda
• White vinegar
• Old toothbrush
• Cleaning cloth

Instructions for How to clean a dishwasher:

• Remove the filter and clean it in warm soapy water
• Use the old toothbrush to remove any stubborn stains on the filter before replacing it back into the machine.
• Pour a cup of white vinegar into the machine and run a full cycle
• Cover the bottom of the dishwasher in a coat of bicarbonate of soda and leave overnight.
• Run a full cycle the following morning to rinse out your machine

How to Deep Clean an Oven When Moving Home

To deep clean your cooker you will need:

• 5 tablespoons of baking soda
• 5 drops of washing-up liquid
• 4 tablespoons of vinegar
• Lemons
• Cream cleaner

Instructions on How to Deep Clean a Cooker

• Remove the oven racks and allow them to soak in washing-up liquid for a few hours before scrubbing them clean with a scourer.
• From the ingredients above (excluding the lemons) into a paste and then apply to the oven with a brush.
• Avoid putting the paste onto the door seal
• Leave overnight before wiping clean.
• For particularly stubborn stains apply the washing-up liquid to a lemon and rub it into the stain before wiping off with a damp cloth.
• If the oven racks are particularly soiled you can use the paste to clean them if they are stainless steel. Do not use baking soda on aluminum as it will discolour it.
• Wipe the stovetop down with a cream cleaner and a soft cloth
• Clean the outside of the oven with a cream cleaner and a soft cloth
• The filter on the extractor hood should be removed and replaced with a new one.
• The grills on the filter hood can be cleaned with an old toothbrush

You may also like to know: How to move an Oven. This guide is packed with useful tips to prepare your oven for your home move, how to protect it during the move, and how to safely and easily move it to your new home.

How to Deep Clean a Bathroom When Moving Home

Although you will using the bathroom right up until moving day, you can give it a thorough cleaning before then, leaving you just to need to give it a quick wipe-over before you depart for your new home.

How to Deep Clean Wall Tiles When Moving Home

• Grout can be cleaned using 1 part vinegar to 1 part water. Allow at least 5 minutes for the solution to fully penetrate. Use an old toothbrush to scrub the grout with a baking soda paste, spray again with the vinegar solution, and then rinse off with clean water.
• You can use the vinegar/water solution to clean your tiles, and using a spray will help you cover all the tiles easily. Leave on the tiles for at least 5 minutes before rinsing off with hot water. For really stubborn stains you can scrub them with a sliced lemon to remove them.

How to Deep Clean a Bath When Moving Home

• Dampen around the bath with water
• Coat the bath with a layer of baking soda
• Use a slightly damp sponge or cloth to scrub the bath
• You can use lemons to return the bath to a sparkling white by rubbing it with lemon wedges.
• Gently squeeze the lemons so that the lemon juice coats the bath.
• Leave to soak for 30 minutes
• Rinse with hot water
• Taps can be cleaned using baking soda and an old toothbrush

How to Deep Clean a Shower When Moving Home

• Plastic shower curtains can easily be cleaned by putting them through the washing machine, just add a cup of baking soda to the detergent and wash on a cold cycle.
• To remove the build-up of soap and water spots on shower screens, spray with warm water and white vinegar and allow to soak. Use baking soda to then gently scrub away the marks.
• Shaving cream is great for getting water spots off of the shower screen. Apply the shaving cream, wait for 15 minutes, and then wipe clean.

How to Deep Clean a Ceramic Bathroom Sink

• Dampen around the sink with water
• Coat the sink with a layer of baking soda
• Use a damp sponge or damp cloth to scrub the sink
• You can use lemons to return the ceramic sink to a sparkling white by rubbing lemon wedges around the sink.
• Gently squeeze the lemons so that the lemon juice coats the sink bowl.
• Leave to soak for 30 minutes
• Rinse with hot water
• Taps can be cleaned using baking soda and an old toothbrush

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Bathroom for Moving Home. Although one of the easiest and quickest rooms in the home to pack, there are still some great tips in this guide to ensure that all your bathroom items arrive in your new home unscathed.

How to Deep Clean Upholstery When Moving Home

Before attempting to clean your upholstery be sure to read the care instructions on it. Before applying any cleaning solutions test an inconspicuous area first for colour fastness.

Baking soda is great for cleaning upholstery and is generally safe on most materials but be sure to test it first.

To deep clean upholstery, you will need:

• Vacuum cleaner
• Baking soda
• Stiff brush
• Cleaning cloth

Instructions on how to deep clean upholstery:

• Vacuum the sofa or chair first
• Use a stiff brush to brush the upholstery
• Sprinkle baking soda over the fabric and leave for about half an hour
• With the brush attachment on your vacuum hose, remove all the dried baking soda
• Often cushion covers can be washed in the washing machine but carefully check the care labels first.
• Renting a steam cleaner is also a good way to give the upholstery a really deep clean

You may also like to read: How to Pack a Living Room for Moving. In this guide, we offer some packing and moving tips for all the things that are usually found in the living room.

How to Deep Clean Door Knobs When Moving Home

Doorknobs and handles are one of the biggest carriers of germs, so ensure that they are thoroughly wiped with a sanitising wipe, not forgetting the garage or any outbuildings.

And don’t forget to wipe over all the light switches too.

How to Deep Clean a Mattress When Moving Home

• Freshen up your mattresses by sprinkling them with baking soda, and allow them to sit for up to an hour before vacuuming them.
• Use shaving foam to remove mattress stains. Cover in the foam, allow to sit for 15 minutes before wiping the stained area with a cloth dipped in a 1 part vinegar, 1 part water solution.

You may also like to know: How to Move a Mattress. In this guide, we show you how to protect your mattress during the move and how to safely and easily move it to your new home.

Deep Cleaning Hacks for Moving Home

• When you are decluttering for your home move, there will likely be clothes that you no longer need or want that cannot be given to charity shops. Use clothes that are not suitable for recycling for cleaning rags and dusters. It will save you a fortune in buying cleaning cloths.
• Use a sock dipped in one part vinegar and one part water to clean your Venetian blinds.
• Clean curtain tracks by sprinkling with baking soda, spray on some vinegar, allow to soak for a few minutes, then wipe clean with a damp rag.
• Use a lint roller to clean dust from lampshades.
• To remove pet hair from upholstery put on a pair of rubber gloves. Rub your hands over the area to be cleaned, the pet hairs will stick to your gloves, which can then be rinsed clean in water.
• To remove pet smells from upholstery apply a vinegar, water, and essential oil mix in a spray. Test on an inconspicuous area, allow to dry, and if there is no adverse reaction, use it to refresh the rest of your upholstery. 
• Use toothpaste, not gel, to clean silver.
• Thoroughly sweep the path and entrances to your home. There is no point in making the home spotless if leaves, mud, or dust are going to be trampled back in again.
• Have dust sheets placed on the floor for when the removal company moves your things into your new home.
• Use baking soda on an old toothbrush to make grout gleaming white again.
• Be sure to wipe over furniture before it is wrapped in furniture blankets and dust all your possessions before they are packed into the moving boxes.

We hope you found this guide to cleaning your home useful and if you have any good cleaning tips for other home movers be sure to leave them in the comments below.