A clean and tidy home is essential when presenting to prospective buyers, who will hightail it out of properties that are dirt traps. They simply can’t see past the mess and imagine this is where they could create the next chapter of their lives.
When it comes to home design, there are a few choices that may have been made in the past about your property that make it harder to keep a clean apartment or house. I’ve identified them together with some solutions.
White-out
A combination of white tiles and grout are a bathroom nightmare. Your grout will turn grey with dirt and make ugly lines against your tiles. One low-cost option is to hire a tiler to grind out the grout and replace it with a consistent grey or different colored grout filler.
Shower spoiler
Water spots on all-glass showers can be annoying. When buying a new shower, ask the manufacturer to spray a special solution on the glass that’s resistant to marks from water. The additional cost is minimal.
Black edges
Long exposure to water turns silicon sealer black. You’ll see this most often behind the faucets of a kitchen sink or along shower screens. There’s nothing for it but to dig out the silicon and regrout.
Dark countertops
You might think a dark color would hide all manner of kitchen sins, but the opposite is true. Water and crumbs stand out on dark surfaces. Consider a neutral color and note that patterns hide marks better than solid colors.
No painless stainless
Stainless steel appliances show all manner of marks and need special wipes to clean them properly. Avoid putting magnets on fridge doors, as these can leave permanent, rust-like marks. If you live on the coast, reconsider the brushed-steel-look because it’ll show rust in just a few years.
Out of gas
Cleaning a gas stove is a constant, daily chore. The burners collect muck with every meal. The best alternative is an induction stove with its sheet of strengthened glass that’s quick and easy to wipe over.
Stain pains
Marble and composite stone countertops require constant vigilance. Stains from turmeric, red wine, pineapple juice, raspberry, and Bolognese are constant threats. A good scouring liquid will help you out, but you need to be on your guard. If a stain sits too long, there’s no shifting it.