The holiday season is typically a super busy time for me but this year, it’s even more so with me returning back to work full time, juggling life with a toddler and WE ARE MOVING! We bought a new house and sold ours in early October and the big move is taking place the week before Christmas. Moving at any time of the year can be stressful, but just before the holidays AND during a pandemic by far takes things to the next level!
Moving during a pandemic introduces a whole lot of additional considerations. As you can imagine, being extra diligent with sanitizing and cleaning not only benefits myself and my family but it also protects the movers we’ve hired and the new owners moving into our existing home. Being considerate and mindful during this time is the least we can do to protect everyone’s health and safety.
I’d love to share a few tips that may help you prepare your future move, pandemic or not, and with the assistance of some great products from the Scotch-Brite™ Brand.
A Moving/Cleaning Caddy
Even though the countdown is on, I’ve not been too overwhelmed by the move just yet. Setting aside time to pack a few boxes a night really takes the edge off but putting together a little moving/cleaning caddy has also kept me extra organized. Since I currently live in a three-level town home, I have no interest in running up and down the stairs every time I need more supplies while cleaning and packing. I stored all my necessities in this wire basket and take alongside with me as I load up boxes and wipe down surfaces. A caddy is also great for general cleaning purposes and if you typically hire a cleaner to come to your house, this is also perfect to keep all the cleaning supplies neat and tidy in one spot.
Some items I highly recommend if you’re interested in putting a caddy together are:
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- A cleaning solution that is suitable for most surfaces, there are loads of simple and green homemade options
- A small dustpan and brush for small jobs, such as in between furniture, baseboards, and corners
- Scotch-Brite® No-Scratch Scrub Sponge – these are suitable for ANY surface in the kitchen, bathrooms and getting rid of marks on the walls and floors
- Scotch-Brite™ Lint Roller – I like to do a quick roll on sweaters and coats before I pack them up in boxes
- Scotch-Brite® Heavy Duty Scrub Sponge (the Wand is awesome for easy refills!) – these are super helpful when trying to clean up tough scuffs on patio furniture, the deck and of course any pots and pans that require a good scrub (scratch resistance)
- Scotch-Brite® Dusting Microfiber Cloth – so handy and versatile, I stash them everywhere!
Dust off Frames and Wall Hangings
Typically, I would wait until I move-in and unpack to wipe down my frames and wall decor. But since this holiday season is going to be different than others, entertaining friends and family will likely be virtual, it makes me THAT much more eager to ensure our new place in the best shape for Christmas morning, so our little family of three can enjoy it. Polishing picture frames, glassware and wall decor before packing them up can save so much time for the move in. With the help of Scotch-Brite® Dusting Microfiber Cloths, doing this bit of legwork was SO easy. These cloths are reusable and washable and the best part is that they offer strike-free cleaning. They also absorb 50% more than regular clothes, which is also great for general messes in the kitchen.
Check Unexpected Places
As I was working through my kitchen, I realized lots of food crumbs and oil spills were hidden from the naked eye. This is the best time to clean those unexpected areas, such the interior of utensil holders and between and in small appliances. The Scotch-Brite® No-Scratch Scrub Sponge is a great sink companion. We use this sponge daily for our dishes, but it is a powerful cleaning tool for pretty much anywhere in the house. They are safe to use on walls (give it a good scrub before patching up holes) and hard to reach spots, such as above the fridge, around baseboards and in between furniture.
Prepare Furniture
I never had to clean my sofa and chairs as often as I do now because my little guy LOVES to smush and crumble his snacks all over the couch. The Scotch-Brite™ Lint Roller is fabulous to get the job done quickly. All you have to do is peel and roll and see all the little crumbs and dirt peel off the fabric surface. Prepping your furniture before wrapping them up to move can save both time and energy on the flip side but this is also great for on-going maintenance.
Sanitize and Wipe Down Surfaces Before Leaving
I can’t stress how important it is to ensure the health and safety of my family and others while moving during a pandemic. Though I’ve scheduled a professional cleaning team to perform a thorough move-in cleaning at our new house, but before our movers arrive and after they depart from our existing home, I plan to sanitize all high touch surfaces such as door handles, light switches and hand rails as well as moving bins with the Scotch-Brite® Dusting Microfiber Cloths. This doesn’t require much effort but offers an additional peace mind for our movers and new homeowners.
Whether you’re about to embark on a move, planning to in the near future, or just want some inspiration to keep up with getting your home ready for the holidays, I hope some of these tips and my product recommendations were helpful! I will be sure to share some tips on move-in, in a few weeks time!
Disclaimer: This post was produced in partnership with Scotch-Brite™ Brand, but all opinions are my own. To learn more about Scotch-Brite™ Brand and their powerful cleaning tools and instructions for use, visit www.scotch-brite.ca.
