6 Tips for Move-in Cleaning

Congratulations! The construction crews have finally left or the previous occupiers have vacated your new home. It’s all yours to enjoy. But before you put your stamp on your home, you’ll want to remove the traces (visible and hidden) of everyone who worked or lived in it previously. From dust, debris and dander to paints, adhesive and grime, the move-in cleaning task can be formidable. Fortunately, our range of Granite Gold® products can make light work of the job, allowing you to work fast and effectively without damaging your natural stone surfaces. 

Stone-Owners: The Golden Rule of Move-in Cleaning

Since our particular area of interest at Granite Gold is caring for natural stone, no cleaning must begin until everyone is aware of the damage the following can cause on granite, marble or other natural stone and quartz. 

Do not clean natural stone with products that contain:

• Ammonia
• Bleach
• Vinegar, or any other strong acid or alkaline solution
• Regular antibacterial solution (eg. wipes)
• Abrasive scourers or brushes. 

Natural stone is tough, but the above will degrade the protective sealant that keeps your stone shiny, smooth and moisture-resistant. Ensure that anyone involved with move-in cleaning, from friends and family helpers to professional cleaning crews, is using dedicated cleaners like ours around stone countertops and surfaces. 

Tip 1: Start from the Top

Even in a brand-new home, there will be a sheen of dust and dirt on the tops of cabinets and around light fixtures and fans. Tackle this first so that it all falls down to where you can vacuum or sweep it up. If necessary, get up on a set of steps and brush/sweep cobwebs, dust, and dander downwards. 

If your new home came with blinds or curtains already fitted, it’s a good idea to remove these too at this point for cleaning, since they also trap a lot of dust and grime. 

For effective dusting, consider using specialized dusting cloths like Guardsman Reusable Dusting Cloths. These cloths are specially treated and lint-free to quickly grab and trap dust, removing allergens for healthier, cleaner air without the use of sprays. Unlike many sprays, these soft, cotton flannel cleaning cloths leave behind no dust-attracting residue.

Key features of Guardsman Reusable Dusting Cloths:

• Specially treated, residue-free cloths trap and lock in dust
• Fast and effective – one-step dusting, free from spray mists and odors
• Cotton cleaning cloth won't scratch delicate surfaces
• Rinse and reuse each cloth
• Certified asthma & allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Allergy Standards Limited (ASL)
• Made in the U.S.A.

These cloths are versatile and can be used on furniture, blinds, appliances, auto interiors, cabinets, paneling, glass, mirrors, ceiling fans, walls, and railings. They can also be used with most floor sweepers by folding the cloth in half, wrapping it around the sweeper, and attaching as appropriate.

By using effective dusting tools and starting from the top, you'll ensure a thorough clean of your new home, creating a healthier living environment from the start.

Tip 2: Cleaning the Kitchen

Recap: Everybody involved in your move-in cleaning campaign should be warned about what ammonia and bleach do to granite surfaces. Even some of the best-known cleaning brands seen on TV have no place in a natural-stone kitchen. 

As soon as you’re dealing with granite or quartz, however, stick with Granite Gold’s specialist range of cleaners, sealers and polishes to restore your stone to its finest and maintain its natural shine. 

Kitchen starter kit

Guardsman Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish – Granite Gold®

Granite Gold® All-Surface Cleaner

MicroGold® Multi-Action Disinfectant Antimicrobial Spray

Ultimate Dusting Clothing

Tip 3: Cleaning the Bathroom

Bacteria and moisture build-up are the main challenges in the bathroom, and you should be aware of the hidden areas where bacteria can accumulate, such as handles, faucets and switches. Similarly, the vents and fans you’ll usually find in a bathroom can gather dust and gunk even if the house was previously unoccupied. 

While it’s fine to use bleach or vinegar solutions to disinfect and clean the sink, toilet, and glass surfaces, be patient and careful with natural stone tiles or slabs and the grouting between them. For best results, use a dedicated antimicrobial cleaner like our MicroGold® Multi-Action Disinfectant Antimicrobial Spray, which eliminates viruses and suppresses the growth of microorganisms.

Soap scum or cleaning detergents can degrade the seal on natural stone, allowing moisture to penetrate and mold to flourish. Use our dedicated shower cleaner and sealer and our grout cleaner to keep floor and shower tiles in peak condition. 

Bathroom starter kit

• Granite Gold® Porcelain Cleaner
• Natural Stone Sealer | Granite Gold®
• Grout Cleaner for Stone, Tile, and More | Granite Gold®
• Granite Gold Shower Cleaner

Tip 4: Clean and Protect Floors

You’ll probably be vacuuming or sweeping your floors multiple times during your move-in cleaning. Take a first pass before bringing in any furniture to remove any construction dust and debris. Pass again after you’ve done your top-down clean, then a final time after furniture, rugs and ornaments are in place. 

An important point to remember is that a natural stone, tile or marble floor needs a different approach to a regular concrete or wood floor. In a nutshell, you want to steer clear of the big brand floor cleaners that will ruin your natural stone (because they can contain chemicals that wear away the sealant), and regular polish, which will turn a smooth stone surface into an ice rink. 

The beauty of a natural stone or tile floor is that it’s easy and fast to clean. Typically, you can sweep it clean, since there are no nooks or crevices to trap dirt. If your stone floor has accumulated a layer of grime, loosen it with our Granite Gold® Stone & Tile Floor Cleaner, a concentrated, no-rinse formula that removes dirt and oils effortlessly.  

Tip 5: Furniture and Fabric Care

Once you’re ready to move in furniture and fixtures, bear in mind that each fabric has its own quirks and preferences. You’ll find everything you need in the Granite Gold store to restore, refresh and protect your furniture. 

Leather care

Both genuine and synthetic leather or suede are susceptible to stains, splits and tears over time, particularly if exposed to harsh sunlight. But you can restore your leather to as good as new condition with some gentle care. Guardsman Clean & Renew for leather removes any grime, while Protect & Preserve provides a barrier against stains, spills or pets. 

Woodcare 

An innocent mistake that many new homeowners can make is to use regular cleaning products on wood, or oil-based polishes to protect it. These can damage the finish and encourage the build-up of gunk (as well as staining clothing). To care for wood furniture properly during your move-in cleaning, wipe it down with a damp microfiber cloth then treat with Deep Clean Purifying Wood Cleaner. Thereafter, the secret is to clean lightly and often. 

For furniture that has picked up nicks, scratches or chips during the moving in process, Guardsman furniture repair kit can fix imperfections in just a few steps. 

Upholstery care

It’s common for mattresses, couches, cushions and other upholstery items to develop mold or gather dust during transport and storage, often giving them a funky odor. The best preventive measure you can take is to keep them covered for as long as possible (or wrapped in the case of a mattress). 

Once they’re in the home, keep them vacuumed regularly, away from direct heat, and protected if possible with covers or throws. It’s much easier to replace a stained armrest cover, for example, than the whole couch. For ongoing protection, spray the upholstery with our Guardsman Fabric Defense. 

Tip 6: Apply the Finishing Touches

An intense session of move-in cleaning can send the moisture and airborne particle levels in your home soaring, allowing mold or unpleasant odors to establish their presence before you’ve had a chance to settle. After your final round of sweeping and vacuuming, ventilate the home for a while by opening the windows to allow a natural air current through. For brand new homes, the lingering aroma of fresh paint and solvents will gradually disappear, but you can speed things up by adding plants and candles or essential oils. 

As for the natural stone that now serves as the focal point for your new home, the secret is to set up a cleaning schedule that stays one step ahead. Clean often, seal regularly and polish frequently to keep your stone surfaces and tiles looking as good as the day you moved in. 

Sources:

How to Clean a New Home

How to clean a new home before moving in – 12 ways to ensure a sparkling future