Even if you are diligent and have a regular cleaning schedule, there never seems to be enough time in a day to tackle the “nitty gritty.” 

For most of us, chores are squeezed in at the end of a long day or throughout the weekend when we would much rather have our feet up and a glass of wine in hand; however, if you are planning to sell, you will have to start the process of “deep cleaning” before prospective buyers arrive to view the property.  

We have brainstormed a few quick and easy cleaning hacks that you can try so that your home sparkles when the sign hits the lawn.

Clean Ceiling Fans with a Pillow Case & Blinds with a Sock

To clean your ceiling fans quickly and efficiently, slip a pillowcase over the blades, one at a time, and wipe away the dust.  Dust will fall into the pillowcase, not on your furniture and floors. This goes a long way in bedrooms as no one relishes the thought of thick clouds of dust falling on their crisp, white duvet.  For your window blinds, use an old sock as a duster. Simply spritz the sock with water and grip both sides of the slat. Then slide from one end of the blind to the other, gathering all of the dust.

Deodorize your Dishwasher with Vinegar and Baking Soda

Prospective buyers will likely purchase all built-in appliances with the home and will try to sneak a peek at your dishwasher during a viewing or open house.  Be sure to banish grime and unpleasant odours from your dishwasher by running two separate cycles. In the first cycle, place a dishwasher safe bowl, full of vinegar, on the bottom of the empty dishwasher. Next, run a hot water cycle to loosen bits of dried food, grease and soap scum.  After, add 1 cup of baking soda to the bottom of the empty dishwasher and let it sit overnight. In the morning, run a second hot cycle with water only and remember to remove any debris from the filter.  Remember: Never add baking soda and vinegar together, the results may be explosive!

 Clean your Garbage Disposal with Lemons

Lemon and ice are a winning combination for your garbage disposal as the pair are fantastic at cleaning and deodorizing.  Simply cut a lemon into 8 pieces and grab a handful of ice cubes.  Drop a few pieces at a time into the disposal unit until they are pulverized.  For added cleaning power, pour a little water and lemon juice at the same time into the garbage disposal. Feel free to use a lemon that is starting to go bad.  There is no need to use your freshest lemon.

Hot Water and Vinegar for the Win on Stainless Steel Appliances

In most cases, appliances are included with the sale, but even if they are not, it is a turn-off to most buyers to walk into a kitchen with grimy appliances. Cleaning stainless steel is an uphill battle as fingerprints seem to appear out of thin air. To eliminate the smudges and streaks common on stainless steel, all you need is hot water and vinegar.  Mix the two in a 1:1 solution and spray it onto the appliance. Wipe with the grain, not against it. Then wipe the appliance down with a soft, damp cloth (or cut up towels), and buff it dry, moving with the grain.

Clean your Washer (Trust us, it needs it!)

Even though buyers will only be walking by your washing machine during a viewing or an open house, it is best to address any disagreeable or mildewy scents before they arrive. Mix a 1:1 solution of water and vinegar, and wipe down the lid and rubber gasket (if you have a front loader).  Be sure to lift the gasket to clean underneath it.  The grime that builds up under the rubber will surprise (and disgust) you!  Add 4 cups of vinegar to your washing machine and set it to run for the largest load with the hottest temperature. While it is washing, wipe the outside of the machine (top, sides and lid)  with a soft, microfibre cloth dampened with water and vinegar.  If you are not completely content with your washer’s level of cleanliness, run a second hot cycle using 2 cups of baking soda. Be sure to pour a few tablespoons of baking soda into your soap and fabric softener dispensers. This will help scour out the soap scum build-up.  After the cycle is finished, pop open the lid and air dry the drum.  It is good practice to always leave the lid open after you are done with your laundry. Air drying goes a long way in preventing that musty smell that commonly wafts out of washers. 

Although keeping a clean house feels like a losing battle and deep cleaning is often the last thing most of us want to do, it is important to present your house in the best possible light to prospective buyers.