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Moving to a new apartment or house in the middle of a pandemic is not as hard as you think. There might be a few challenges because of health protocols, but generally, things will run smoothly if you prepare for this monumental task ahead of time. To help you out, here are seven tips you need to know before moving in 2021.

1. Clean and Sanitize Before Moving

Many people make sure that the house or apartment they are moving out of is sparkly clean when they leave it. However, there is still a pandemic in 2021, so it's imperative that you also take time to ensure that the place you are moving into is spotless and germ-free. 

Before you start sanitizing the place, you first need to check the whole area for trash and rubbish. Once you have sized up the amount of waste you will need to take out, it would be best to call a same-day rubbish removal company to schedule the best pick-up time. You may want to get rid of all the garbage, old furniture, and appliances within the day because you don't want to include them in the things you have to sanitize.

After cleaning and decluttering the area, you should sterilize every nook and cranny of your new home. The Centers for Disease Control recommend using a disinfection solution made up of about four teaspoons of bleach for every quart of water. For things that are sensitive to bleach, you can probably use alcohol-based wipes.

2. Try to Do Things on Your Own If You Can

One of the things that make moving in fun is inviting your friends and family to help you out. But in 2021, with the coronavirus threat still around and much of the world hasn't achieved herd immunity yet, it would be a wise idea to involve as few people as possible. To be safe, you have to rely on yourself or only your household members in this undertaking if you don't have many things to pack and move.

3. Hire Professional Movers

As mentioned earlier, self-moving is the best course of action in the time of the pandemic. But if you need help with your move, make sure that you get professional movers. They know the health protocols and will come fully prepared with gloves, masks, and other protective equipment to minimize their risk and yours. Besides, professional movers offer fully integrated services, like storage space, furniture disassembly, reassembling, and trucking.

4. Plan the Details of Your Transfer

To make your move as smooth and hassle-free as possible, you should plan. You don't want to go back and forth several times just because you forgot something. Again, this is the time of COVID-19, so you need to avoid unnecessary travels to minimize your risk of getting infected.

You must double-check your schedule with your mover and remind them about the health protocols they need to follow. Next, you must prepare all the boxes and things before the mover's arrival. Provide your movers a checklist so that they would know which boxes and items to carry and move without you hovering around them. You can look out from a distance. To ensure that you don't leave anything behind, recheck each room.

5. Have Hygiene and Sanitizing Materials Ready

When you move in, the first thing you need to do is head to the nearest sink and put some soap and towels ready. You want to provide everyone involved in this activity, including yourself, access to soap and water to sanitize their hands before they bring in things inside your new home. Providing sanitizing wipes and other cleaning materials to help disinfect appliances and furniture, such as the beds or racks, is always a good idea before they're reassembled. This approach is an excellent example of maintaining good hygiene.

6. Keep Lights On and Doors and Windows Open

Even if you are moving to a small apartment or home, you can still improve the area's air circulation by keeping your door and windows open. Even if several people are going in and out of the house, you can lessen COVID-19 risks with good ventilation. Besides, if you keep doors open and the lights on, movers or whoever is helping you transfer will not need to hold the doorknobs and light switches. Less contact with doorknobs and switches means lower chances of spreading germs from one person to another.

7. Have Fun

Moving in during a pandemic can be stressful, to begin with. Don't add strain to your already tired body and weary mind by being grumpy and less enthusiastic. Moving to a different place is an exciting step, even if physically taxing. You should welcome such an opportunity with a warm smile and an open heart – pandemic or not. 

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Conclusion

Transferring to a new place while the pandemic rages on can be scary because of the risk of getting sick with COVID-19. Make your move less stressful by following the seven tips enumerated above.