It might not be a big issue that people think about but in reality it is a good idea to take care of some important things before you move into someone else’s home and make it yours. In this day and age we are talking about infectious diseases and even if that wasn’t true there are other situations such as pets or other things we will hit on that you should take care of before you move in to your new home.
What products are best for disinfecting and cleaning a home?
This depends on what you are cleaning because the best product is and always will be common bleach. Bleach is what FEMA uses to clean up mold in houses from flood zones and it is the best product on the market to make sure bacteria mold and other things are completely dead. For the best use you want to use bleach on items that are not going to be color changed or damaged by the bleach and you must keep the area wet with a 10% bleach concentrate for at least 15 minutes or longer to be effective. Remember that not all bleach is the same so read the label for its concentration before you dilute it.
If you don’t have the ability to use bleach on something like carpet then you can use a heavy concentrate disinfectant in a carpet cleaner such as Lysol Concentrate. Lysol manufactures a variety of products I suggest you hit their website and view if it has been approved for killing whatever virus, bacteria, mold or other that you want to get rid of and use as directed. Normally just like bleach there is a minimum time where the item has to be saturated with the product for it to be effective and that will vary on the surface you use it on from about 2 minutes for hard surfaces to 15 minutes for porous surfaces.
To apply product in large amounts you can get a 2 gallon pump sprayer and mix up your solutions.
Changing Your Household Filters
Whether the home owner has just done so or not its best that you start fresh with new filters.
HVAC Systems will have paper filters just prior to the furnace unit on the return line. These filters come in standard sizes and you can remove yours to see what size it is on the side. The Merv Rating is also important and it is what rates the ability of the filter to stop different things. From regular dust or pollen all the way to other more harmful substances depending on your needs. For most homes I suggest a Merv Rating of 4 which is on the lower center rating. This level of filtration will last about 30-60 days and will not clog up easily. Filters with higher ratings will tend to clog faster and may put a strain on your Blower motor in your Furnace.
If you have window unit or split unit Air Conditioning those units will have filters however they will probably also need an internal cleaning to remove a lot of buildup that can happen quickly. You should replace them and clean the units before use.
Water filters come in a variety of types and if you are on a well water system you can also have a particulate and chemical treatment or UV Light filter. It is important to know what you have and how to change it easily. For most of us this will mean a whole home filter that is installed somewhere after the water meter. You will also likely have a filter at your sink for drinking water and one at your refrigerator for filtering water for your ice maker. I suggest that you change the kitchen filters immediately and then change your whole home filters as soon as you can get to it.
Disinfecting Appliances
Your washing machine can be disinfected by filling the washer as high as possible using the override and then adding a gallon of bleach. Allow it to sit for at least an hour or more and remember to get under the rim and in the center cone area. If you do smell mold you might even need to pull the washer from the wall and take the back off to inspect it for internal mold growth. This is something you should do before you use it for your own clothes.
Bathrooms can be cleaned normally however you should change the shower head or place it in a bucket of bleach to disinfect it. The Aerator on the sink should also be replaced and will probably improve the performance and flow of the sink.
Your Dishwasher should also be disinfected and along with that you should disinfect and clean your garbage disposal. Bleach again is a good product to use and follow manufacturer’s advise on how to add it to your dishwasher safely.
Final Note
When you buy a home there are so many things that you need to do however if you have concern then disinfecting your home is probably best done before you move all your belongings into the home.
When cleaning your carpets you need to get a deep cleaning and to saturate the rug deeply.
When servicing Furnaces, Filters or Appliances it is very easy to download manuals for all of your items from the manufacturer’s website.
When using different cleaning products visit the manufacturer’s website for best use suggestions.