Store detergents, bleach, and softeners in cabinets. Don’t use the tops of the appliances for storage. • Garage—Although cleaning the garage may be the most daunting of decluttering tasks, it can be as simple as getting rid of things you haven’t touched in years. Boxes of broken toys, useless sports gear, and rusty tools all seem to migrate to the dark corners of the garage. Use this opportunity to donate or discard. Other items, like wall paint, extra tiles for the floor, and bicycles, can be shelved or hung. • Pets—Pet items also need to be out of the way when a buyer comes by. See the section below on Pet Peeves for how to deal with pets while selling your home. Doing a thorough, deep cleaning of your home is vital. It works for people selling a car (they get more money), and it will work for you when selling your home. With the home depersonalized and decluttered, it might make sense to use a professional deep cleaning residential service. Otherwise, with the clutter gone, move on to cleaning each room. Tidy each room from top to bottom. Be meticulous, especially in the kitchen and bathrooms. Home buyers will open cabinets, pantries, and closets to assess their storage opportunities. DEEP CLEANING: SPOTLESS IS THE NAME OF THE GAME
GENERAL TO-DO LIST:
• Clear the cobwebs from every corner of your home.
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