Moving Into a New Apartment in Lagos? Here Is What to Clean Before You Move In

Moving Into a New Apartment in Lagos? Here Is What to Clean Before You Move In

You have finally collected the keys to your new apartment. Maybe you have spent weeks searching for a place, negotiating with the landlord, paying rent and sorting out the things you need for the move.

Now you just want to move in and settle down.

But before you bring in your mattress, arrange your clothes or start filling the kitchen cabinets, take a closer look at the apartment.

Does it only look clean, or has it actually been cleaned properly?

The previous tenant may have moved out. The landlord may have repainted the walls. Someone may even have swept and mopped the floors before handing over the keys.

But there are places that a quick clean can easily miss. And once your belongings are inside, getting to those places becomes more difficult.

If you are moving into a new apartment in Lagos, here are five things worth paying attention to before moving day.

1. Open the Kitchen Cabinets Before Arranging Your Things

Imagine unpacking your plates, cups and food items, only to discover dust, grease or dirt inside the cabinets.

That is not how you want to start life in your new home.

Before arranging anything, check inside the cupboards and drawers. Pay attention to the shelves, cabinet handles, sink area, worktops and corners where grease and dirt can build up.

If the kitchen has not been used for a while, check for signs of pests too.

It is much easier to clean these areas before your kitchen items arrive.

2. Give the Bathroom More Than a Quick Wash

A bathroom can look neat from the doorway and still need proper cleaning.

Check the toilet, sink, shower area, taps, tiles and corners. Look for soap residue, stains, dirt and any unpleasant smell that may need attention.

Also check areas around the toilet and bathroom drains.

The goal is simple: before you start using the bathroom every day, make sure it has received the attention it needs.

3. Do Not Ignore the Dust Around the House

Dust does not always sit in the middle of the floor where you can easily see it.

It gathers around window frames, door edges, skirting boards, shelves and other corners. You may also find dirt on top of cupboards and around fittings.

If the apartment was recently renovated, there may be fine construction dust on surfaces and in less obvious places. This may require more than ordinary sweeping and mopping.

Before moving in, make sure the floors and accessible surfaces are cleaned properly.

4. Check for Signs of Cockroaches and Other Pests

One thing you do not want is to move into an apartment and start noticing cockroaches in the kitchen a few days later.

Before unpacking, look around the kitchen cabinets, under the sink, near drains and in other concealed areas.

Watch for signs such as droppings, egg cases or live insects. If you find evidence of a pest problem, consider getting a professional inspection and treatment before moving your belongings in.

Not every apartment needs pest control, but if there are signs of an infestation, it is better to address the problem early. Always follow the pest control professional’s safety instructions before occupying treated areas.

5. Clean Before the Furniture and Cartons Arrive

This is one of the most practical things you can do.

Once the bed, sofa, wardrobe and cartons arrive, cleaning becomes more stressful. You may have to move things around or leave certain areas untouched because they are difficult to reach.

An empty apartment gives the cleaning team better access to the floors, corners, cabinets and other areas that need attention.

If your moving date is already fixed, try to schedule the cleaning before the movers arrive.

You will have fewer things to work around, and you can focus on arranging your new home instead of cleaning around your belongings.

What If the Apartment Is Newly Built or Renovated?

A newly completed apartment may look ready for occupation, but construction and finishing work can leave dust, paint marks and other residue behind.

In that situation, ordinary house cleaning may not be enough. The property may need post construction cleaning, depending on the condition of the space.

The same applies to a previously occupied apartment that needs detailed cleaning before a new tenant moves in.

The right approach depends on the actual condition of the property, not simply whether it is new or old.

Let Owash Help You Get Your Home Ready

Moving into a new apartment already comes with enough expenses and responsibilities. Between arranging transport, moving your belongings and settling into the neighbourhood, there is a lot to do.

You should not have to spend your first day in the new place trying to clean every corner yourself.

At Owash Cleaners, our Move In Reset service helps prepare newly rented, previously occupied, renovated and newly completed homes across Lagos.

Depending on your property’s needs, the service combines detailed cleaning with professional pest control where required, so you can move into a home that has received proper attention before your belongings arrive.

We know you can find someone cheaper. But price alone does not tell you what has been cleaned, how much work is involved or whether the service covers what your home actually needs.

Before comparing quotes, compare the scope of work.

Because collecting the keys is only one part of moving into a new home. You also want to feel comfortable when you finally settle in.

You have the keys. Let Owash help you get your home ready.

Learn more about Move In Reset by Owash or contact us to discuss your property and request a quote. https://owashcleaners.com/move-in-cleaning