Homebuilding Insights

Now that you’re a homeowner (or about to be one), you’ll need to lay in some important items that you may not have considered when you either lived with roommates who handled the day-to-day workings of the household or with your family. There are so many things that you would just reach for, never thinking about where they came from or how they got there.

In a new series of blog posts, we’re going to talk about some of the everyday things you use all the time, but won’t be provided when you purchase a new home. You’ll need to put aside some additional cash around closing time – not just to get through the closing process itself, but also to outfit your new place.

If you’re still searching for the perfect place to call home, be sure to explore our new home communities and a wide selection of available floor plans before you settle in.

Today we’re going to talk about the essential cleaning products that you’ll need to have on hand to keep your home spic and span:

• All-purpose spray cleaner or pre-moistened cleaning wipes
• Glass cleaner
• Scouring cleanser (many homeowners keep two — a strong version for bathrooms and a gentle version for stainless steel or scratch-prone surfaces)
• Furniture polish
• Toilet bowl cleaner
• All-purpose bathroom cleaner or wipes
• Shower cleaner/mildew remover
• Goo-gone (for removing sticky residues)
• Mr. Clean Erasers (for difficult stains)
• Oven cleaner
• Baking soda
• Vinegar
• Dish Soap (and dishwasher detergent if you have a dishwasher)
• Laundry soap
• Laundry stain remover
• Fabric softener
• Bleach (chlorine for whites, non-chlorine for colors)
• Air fresheners
• Fabric fresheners (including carpet fresheners)
• Disinfectant cleaner such as Pine-Sol
• Floor/wood cleaner such as Murphy’s Oil Soap

And don’t forget about the tools you’ll need to tidy up:

• Broom and dustpan
• Mop or floor-cleaning machine — whether it’s a traditional mop or a Swiffer/Bissell system, you’ll need a way to keep floors clean (especially in high-traffic areas of your new construction home)
• Vacuum cleaner (choose a pet-friendly model if you have furry friends)
• Feather duster or Swiffer dusting system
• Toilet brush and plunger
• Trash bags
• Sponges/cleaning cloths/scrub brushes
• Paper towels
• Microfiber towels
• Bucket
• Rubber gloves

You may also want an apron to protect your clothing, although many people choose to clean in a dedicated set of old t-shirts and sweatpants. Make sure you wear shoes or slippers — some cleaning products are caustic and can irritate your skin if they drip onto your feet.

If your Ernest home includes glass shower doors, be sure to pick up a squeegee for quick and easy cleanups. And don’t forget a plastic caddy to carry bottles, brushes, and cans from place to place easily.

While it may seem like an endless chore, if you have the right tools and products on hand, keeping your home neat and clean is far less time-consuming than you might think. A helpful tip: create a rotating cleaning schedule. Assign a kid’s bedroom to Monday, the master suite to Tuesday, and so on. Choose your most flexible days for larger jobs like the kitchen or high-traffic bathrooms.

By staying on top of your schedule, no room should ever become an overwhelming task.

And if you have limited time or truly despise housework, you may want to bring in the pros — a maid service. You’ll still need the products listed above for emergencies and touch-ups, but professional help can make maintaining your dream home (especially a brand-new one in Richmond Hill or Effingham County) much easier.

If you have questions about preparing for move-in day or want to explore homes available now, reach out anytime through our Contact Us page.