An update

I have not been online much recently. For those of you wondering, we did manage to find a condo, but it and move in on the impossibly short timeline we had. Kiwi settled right in (he's moved around quite a bit with us, so not too troubling for him). It's actually a pretty nice place with a lot of potential once it is all the way clean (to my standards) and it came in under budget. Unfortunately, whomever lived here before us were slobs, fried food connoisseurs and possibly hoarded cats judging by the amount of cat hair, dust and grease. I came in and cleaned before we moved in, but have been cleaning obsessively since we got here trying to get all the cat hair as we are both terribly allergic to cats. I just have the kitchen left and have been working at getting the cat hair stuck to 1/4" thick grease off every surface:34: (I did come in and clean the fridge, counters, sink and stove before we moved in so it was sanitary to store and prepare food, but the cabinets/walls/ceiling are a whole other story!). I will be glad once a few weeks go by and the cat allergies die down because I've been having goo coming out of my eyes, sneezing fits and itchy everywhere since moving in Joe's got itchy eyes and sneezing too. I will post some pics when everything is cleaned (to my standards!) and nice looking Thanks for everyones help and support!

So happy to hear that you guys are inside and working to your level of clean! The good part is that every day is a bit clearer.

So, is the heating/cooling unit Forced Air? Is so, it is likely specific to your unit. I know you're already have a list of projects, but I recommend that you add have your heating/cooling unit and duct work cleared. In the mean time, if you have not, replace the furnace filter. Once you have a new one in, check it every week to see how much cat hair and other stuff its catching.

Very happy that your Amazon is handling it so well! Yes, I know that's the way he is, but I'm still happy!

See you soon on the Amazon Forum!

I hope your allergies quiet down! Also clean all areas two feet off the ground with something strong! Cats are prone to marking everything with their oil glands! If the place has carpeting, you can try spreading baking soda around-large 10 lb bags avail-.
For folks very sensitive, it is not uncommon to have to replace the Sheetrock! Sorry!!

SailBoat said:

So, is the heating/cooling unit Forced Air? Is so, it is likely specific to your unit. I know you're already have a list of projects, but I recommend that you add have your heating/cooling unit and duct work cleared. In the mean time, if you have not, replace the furnace filter. Once you have a new one in, check it every week to see how much cat hair and other stuff its catching.

Very happy that your Amazon is handling it so well! Yes, I know that's the way he is, but I'm still happy!

See you soon on the Amazon Forum!

Click to expand...

No AC, heaters are the filterless wall types. I have already cleaned them thoroughly as per the home inspector. We have an air purifier running and daily vacuuming for now. They seem to have cleaned the carpets before leaving and neglected to do much else beyond washing the walls with a sponge so wet it ran down everything:12: (no joke). Cat hair seemed mainly concentrated on the baseboards and kitchen (really gross in the kitchen because it stuck to grease:26. Filter and vacuum do seem to be sucking in a lot of hair and dust though it is lessening every day. I have been cleaning this place inch by inch, windows open 24/7. It also didn't help it smelled like they liked to use chemically scents (those air freshener things everyone loves, which I am also extremely sensitive to). Those smells are thankfully gone now!

Now Kiwi, with his delicate little bird respiratory system seems not the least bit bothered by any of it! Then again, the people who had him before us had so many animals they bordered on hoarder status. Me, on the other hand, have the conjunctivitis-like symptoms I get in my eyes when exposed to cats for the past 2 weeks and it's just starting to get a little better:31:

Flboy said:

I hope your allergies quiet down! Also clean all areas two feet off the ground with something strong! Cats are prone to marking everything with their oil glands! If the place has carpeting, you can try spreading baking soda around-large 10 lb bags avail-.
For folks very sensitive, it is not uncommon to have to replace the Sheetrock! Sorry!!

Click to expand...

Don't tell me these things:26::26::26: I don't wanna know:17: I scrubbed the walls with a bleach solution before we moved in. I actually got most of it 'pretty' clean before we moved in and have been deep cleaning between putting stuff up since.

I really hope we don't have to tear anything up. It's a genuinely nice place, it just had slobs live in it and needs cleaning. There are no major issues (I hope) that thorough scrubbing won't fix!

Happy to hear that your heating system is simple!

I 'heard' that a 'black light' will show, aaaa cat stains.

If you are considering painting at some point in the future. Use a primer, I believe that its called Kilms (sp). Excellent for locking stains, etc... Note: Always ask to see the date code on any paint that your buy! If its older then two months, take a pass on it! Paint is expensive, no reason to buy older paint regardless of stated shelve life.

Kiwi, my favorite BFA! What a tough guy!

SailBoat said:

Happy to hear that your heating system is simple!

I 'heard' that a 'black light' will show, aaaa cat stains.

If you are considering painting at some point in the future. Use a primer, I believe that its called Kilms (sp). Excellent for locking stains, etc... Note: Always ask to see the date code on any paint that your buy! If its older then two months, take a pass on it! Paint is expensive, no reason to buy older paint regardless of stated shelve life.

Kiwi, my favorite BFA! What a tough guy!

Click to expand...

Not a bad idea! It is kilz paint. Good stuff!

SailBoat said:

Happy to hear that your heating system is simple!

I 'heard' that a 'black light' will show, aaaa cat stains.

If you are considering painting at some point in the future. Use a primer, I believe that its called Kilms (sp). Excellent for locking stains, etc... Note: Always ask to see the date code on any paint that your buy! If its older then two months, take a pass on it! Paint is expensive, no reason to buy older paint regardless of stated shelve life.

Kiwi, my favorite BFA! What a tough guy!

Click to expand...

Blacklight is a good idea to see just how bad it is after washing with a bleach solution! The paint isn't too bad actually and is a neutral tannish color that would be good when we re-sell in a few years. I got most of the scuffs off with a magic eraser. It needs other things more- grout redone, tub refinished, new faucet/handle on tub, a cabinet door replaced and the outdoor bar (oh yes, it has a custom bar outside on the patio!) needs to be stabilized and refinished and the dining room needs the carpet ripped out and replaced with matching laminate wood to whats in the kitchen (who the bleep puts WHITE carpet in a dining area?! It must go!). Really hope we don't need to add paint to the list!

White Carpet in Dinning Room: People Who Never Use it or Interior Decorators (Ya, I don't think much of ID's). Saw one that located a college dorm sized microwave in a kitchen storage closet, because a proper sized unit didn't fit her layout! To sell that house, the Builder had pull the kitchen and install all new.

If you don't need to paint, no reason too! So, enjoy your list.

Enjoy!

Wow, what a mess! Cleaning the last occupants filth is beyond disgusting, but there is a bright lining. Seems you purchased wisely, and a lot of sweat equity now will translate into much enjoyment later. Thankfully you found a nice condo with an association willing to accept Kiwi. Hang in there, it will be worth the effort when finished. And I use the word "finished" loosely, 'cause with home ownership there is ALWAYS some project awaiting!

Oh how fun! Initially thought we had a very dirty brushed nickel faucet in the kitchen. After scrubbing with BKF, it is in fact a shiny stainless type finish. Still have some scrubbing left to see how close to like-new I can get it. And after getting the grease off, the white cabinets actually look fantastic! Luckily the laminate cleaned up to like new. And the granite is now clean enough to be reflective The funny thing is, at first glance, it looked really clean. It was when you examined closer you discovered it was pretty gross BUT like I said, a little cleaning and minor fixes (wouldn't even consider it a remote fixer upper) this place will be really nice!