Selling is hard enough without worrying about how to keep the house clean while it is up for sale. But it is a necessary evil. If you are like me cleaning is not on the top of my “Like to Do List”. Here are ways that will help keep your house in tip-top shape when an appointment was scheduled to look at your house.
Remember this is after you have already done the deep clean.
Following these steps will keep you from panic cleaning before a showing.
Keeping A Clean House All The Time When It’s For Sale
A house being clean all of the time is almost impossible unless you have a live-in housekeeper. Which if I’m guessing right and you are reading this, we all don’t have one. Some of you may have a weekly cleaner. Having a cleaner is great. But when selling a house, it needs to be pretty much spotless all of the time.
If you have read my other posts on home staging, you know what I am saying. If you don’t, click here for the list. The house has to look like it is not being lived in by you. Whoever is walking through it has to imagine themselves living in not you.
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Keep House Clean Follow These Tips
Hopefully, I haven’t scared you too much. Yes, the house needs to be clean. Don’t worry, there are ways to keep it that way.
Here I will be sharing my secret on how to keep a house clean while it’s for sale. The secret is having all of the right tools and using them.
I have found even when my house isn’t for sale, I keep using these cleaning tips and I am ready for any surprise visitor.
Tools Needed
- Paper Towels
- window cleaner
- disinfectant wipes
- broom
- mop
- vacuum
- squeegee
- basket
- container
Put all cleaning supplies in a container so they are easily accessible.
The first thing that will need to be taken care of is daily used items. Those items are sinks, countertops, shower, toilet, oven, appliances, floor, bed, entryway surfaces.
Sink
Let us start with sinks. They get used all of the time. Whether it’s in the kitchen or in the bathroom. Maybe even in the laundry room. Make sure the kitchen sink is clear of any dishes. Use a disinfectant wipe to clean them of food in the kitchen, hair, toothpaste in the bathroom, lint, or anything else in the laundry room. This needs to be done morning and evening whether there is a showing or not. Doing this will keep the rush cleaning to the minimum.
Before leaving for work or wherever wipe all sinks down with a paper towel.
Make sure sinks are free of all water.
Countertops
Countertops need to be wiped down every morning or evening. Just a quick wipe with the disinfectant wipes. This will keep them free from dust, crumbs, spills, and hair.
Once again wipe all of the water off of the countertops before leaving. Do this at the same time you do the sinks with the paper towels.
Shower
There are different kinds of showers ones with glass doors, tile walls, or shower curtains. A squeegee can be used on all of them. After the last person has showered and before they step out of it take the squeegee and remove the water from the walls of the shower.
If it is enclosed with glass make sure all areas are done. The next thing to do is take your used towel or paper towels and wipe down the floor of the shower or tub. Then shine the faucets. This sounds like a lot but it actually takes less than a minute. Doing this will keep you from having to clean it as much.
This might sound like an unnecessary thing to do because we all take showers. Just remember your house needs to look clean and kept. People look into a shower and see someone just bathed might trigger some negative thoughts about the house.
This I know from experience. When I was house shopping someone had just taken a shower and it put a negative spin on the house. I didn’t buy it even though it was nice.
Keeping your house clean helps add value to your home. Find out more ways to add value to your home on a budget.
Toilet
Now the toilet is a must on keeping clean.
Nothing is more of a turn-off than a dirty toilet. Clean the bowl with a cleaner at least once a week. Then on the other days just brush the inside real quick.
Wiping down the surface is like the sink and the countertops. Do this before you head out. Grab some disinfectant wipes and give them a once-over.
There are some times when prospective buyers need to use the bathroom. Keeping it clean will show the cleanliness of the house.
No worries. How to keep house clean for a showing. Keep reading for more tips.
Oven/Stove Top
The oven should have already been done with the deep clean. Remember if something has splattered in the oven clean it up right after it has cooled off.
Make sure the stovetop is clean of crumbs and splatters. If it is a ceramic/glass top keep it nice and shiny. Gas stoves need to be kept wiped down also.
Wipe it after you are done cooking and also when you are wiping down the countertops.
Appliances
Appliances cover everything in your kitchen. From the refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, to the stove. Make sure everything is wiped down inside and out.
No matter how old the appliances are. Make them look good by getting them to shine. A little bit of furniture polish or oil shines them up great. This goes for stainless steel sinks also.
Just don’t put oil on top of the stove or anywhere it can get hot. It could be a fire hazard.
Still need to declutter and organize? Here is a post for you. Click Here
Floor
The floor is the most time-consuming of everything. Make sure it has been kept clean. Sweep and vacuum anytime you get a chance.
If you have pets get all of the hair up from the floor and baseboards. Mop at least once a week or if you spill or track mud in.
My favorite helper with the floors is this vacuum just start it before you go. It will dock when it’s done. My favorite thing ever for cleaning.
Bed
Make that bed right when you get up and it will be done. No worrying about it for the rest of the day.
Entryway
Keep the entryway free of clutter. Put everything in its place when you get home. It’s okay to leave the items you will need when you leave. But everything else needs to be kept in its place. Make sure the windows on the door are free of fingerprints.
The entryway is the first thing the prospective buyer will see. Sweep the porch and have it in pristine condition at all times. Sometimes it takes a bit for the real estate agent to open the door. It gives the buyer time to look around and form an opinion quickly.
The opinion you want them to have is: This is a very well-kept home. I want to see more.
If your house has been up for sale for a while it may need to be home staged. Here is a post on home staging ideas you will want to read.
Keep House Clean By Picking Up
Before bedtime get a basket and go around the house and pick up any stray items. If you have time put them away or stash the basket someplace that will be unseen.
Don’t let this list of things get you down. You will be surprised at how easy it is to keep your house clean with these cleaning tips.
