Are you gearing up to start renovating your home? That’s awesome! But before you jump into your work, it’s important not to forget one key detail: getting your home ready for the cleanup after the renovation. Whether you’re giving your walls a new coat of paint or making your living space larger, here are a few tips to help you restore your home to its original sparkle.
Key points
- It is important to remove the dust that has accumulated from the renovation process before moving any furniture or other items back into your home.
- This means thoroughly vacuuming both carpets and hard surfaces, as well as regularly dusting with a damp cloth and a HEPA filter vacuum.
- If you are living in an older home, consider taking a professional approach by having an HVAC system cleaning done to remove any dust and allergens that have crept inside your air ducts.
- Once completed, open windows and doors for natural air flow before adding furniture and returning home accessories.
- Windows and mirrors can easily become dirty and smudged after a renovation. Start by dusting all surfaces with a rag or dust mop. Be sure to remove cobwebs
Dust and vacuum thoroughly
It is important to remove the dust that has accumulated from the renovation process before moving any furniture or other items back into your home. Primarily, this means thoroughly vacuuming both carpets and hard surfaces, as well as regularly dusting with a damp cloth and a HEPA filter vacuum.
Additionally, if you are living in an older home, consider taking a professional approach by having an HVAC system cleaning done to remove any dust and allergens that have crept inside your air ducts. Once completed, open windows and doors for natural air flow before adding furniture and returning home accessories.
Clean windows and mirrors
Windows and mirrors can easily become dirty and smudged after a renovation. Start by dusting all surfaces with a rag or dust mop. Be sure to remove cobwebs and any other visible dirt and debris. Next, you will want to clean the surfaces with glass cleaner or vinegar solution.
Spray the cleaner directly on the window or mirror surface and use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe the surface until it is streak-free. If you have hard water, be sure to dry it with a paper towel as streaks caused by hard water may remain if cleaned with just a microfiber cloth. For an added sparkle, use crumpled newspapers instead of paper towels for the final wipe-down.
Remove all debris and construction materials
Before starting the cleaning process, make sure all the debris and construction materials are removed from your home. It is best to start by removing large debris such as sawdust, lumber scraps, plastic bags, packaging materials, broken drywall pieces, and any other large items that may be present.
Once this step is done, vacuum all remaining dust particles into a dustpan for easy disposal. Depending on the type of renovation performed in your home, there may be some tape residue left behind. It is important to remove this carefully with a razor or scraper so you do not damage the surface of any newly finished material in your house.
Wipe down surfaces
After construction is finished, it’s time to give your home a good scrub in order to remove any leftover dust and debris from the renovation. Wipe down all surfaces, including walls, furniture, window sills, and countertops. Make sure to dust the ceiling and corners too!
To help capture any residual dust and dirt, start by dampening your cloth with an all-purpose cleaner or soapy water. For more delicate surfaces like wood furniture or hardwood floors, use a slightly damp cloth. Work in sections so that you can quickly move on to another area as soon as you’ve finished wiping it down. Vacuum carpets and rugs when you’re done wiping down surfaces.
Clean appliances
Appliances take a lot of wear and tear during home renovations, and it is important to make sure that they are thoroughly cleaned before you move back in. To clean appliances, start by removing any debris from the interior, such as dust buildup or rust. If there are any stains or other markings on the surface of the appliance, use a lightly-soaped sponge to remove them.
After cleaning out the appliance thoroughly, refill any necessary parts with soap and water and allow the appliance to air dry before replacing it in your home after renovations. You should also check around the exterior of your appliances for any dirt or debris that needs to be removed before it becomes embedded in your walls or flooring when you move them back in.
Clean air ducts and vents
When planning a post-renovation cleaning project, one of the essential tasks to address is the cleaning of air ducts and vents. Additionally, it’s important to ensure that your newly renovated home is free from dust, debris, and other contaminants that can be released into the air as a result of the renovations. To properly clean your home’s ducts and vents:
- Make sure you have the proper supplies for this task such as an air compressor or vacuum cleaner with proper attachments for dislodging dirt or dust build-up from vents and ducts.
- Use a broom or microfiber duster first to remove any large pieces of debris from vents before taking the next step with a vacuum cleaner attachment.
- Vacuum each vent thoroughly using low suction settings so as not to damage ducts while removing potential contaminants like dust and dirt that can easily accumulate during renovation activities like tearing walls, ceiling painting, etc.
- Use an approved disinfecting product to sanitize all cleaning tools including hoses and attachments for vacuuming venting systems in tight areas that are difficult to reach manually by hand. This will help prevent cross-contamination from one area of the renovation project to another such as windowsills or crevices around hardwood flooring
Disinfect surfaces
After the dust has settled and all of the contractors are gone, the next step in preparing your home for a post-renovation cleaning is to disinfect all surfaces. This includes countertops, windows, door frames and trim, light switches, floors, and carpets—basically, every surface that could have been exposed to any debris from construction.
Use a quality disinfectant on these surfaces and be sure to wear protective gear (gloves, mask) when applying it. Be mindful of any harsh fumes released by these products as well. When you are done disinfecting each surface make sure to give it enough time to properly dry before starting the next area. You may also want to consider using a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner throughout your home to remove any lingering dust particles in order to create a truly clean living space.
Protect your floors
During a renovation, your floors can become very worn and dirty. It’s important to protect them to ensure a thorough cleaning after the project is complete. Covering your floors with a layer of plastic sheeting is the best way to safeguard them from dust and debris.
This will not only make it easier to clean, but also prevent any permanent damage that can occur from paint, construction materials, or other substances. Make sure you secure the sheeting in place with tape so it stays in place during the entire project. Additionally, make sure you have a sign or alert nearby reminding workers to wipe their feet before entering and exiting areas protected by floor coverings so they remain clean until the final cleaning commences.
Consider hiring a professional cleaning service
Although post-renovation clean-up is a task that can be attempted alone, there are times when it is wise to consider hiring a professional cleaning service. Not only will the professionals take care of heavy-duty tasks like moving furniture and washing windows, but they should also have access to tools and equipment that DIYers may not. Think of the pros when you budget for your post-renovation project – they can make all the difference in leaving your space sparkling.
Also, keep in mind that when you invest in professional cleaning services, you get more than just physical cleaning benefits – you can also enjoy improved health benefits as well! That’s because when your home or office is properly cleaned after renovations, there’s a lot less chance for dust and mold accumulation which can be hazardous to everyone’s health. Even if you tackle some of the post-renovation cleanings yourself, hiring a pro can help guarantee even better results.
Thus, it’s important to weigh both the cost and value when deciding whether or not to hire a cleaning service for your renovation project. They may end up saving you time, money, and headache in the long run – not to mention the peace of mind of knowing that your space is ready for habitation much faster than if you go it alone!
Conclusion
To ensure a successful post-renovation cleaning, you should plan ahead and clear as much clutter from your home as possible. Removing all furniture and other items from the rooms that have been renovated will assist in the cleaning process and make it more efficient. Clean any areas where dust has settled before it becomes ingrained, and if necessary, purchase professional carpet-cleaning equipment or schedule a visit to a local carpet-cleaning service.
Be sure to dust any hard surfaces first in order to prevent fibers from the dusters from becoming embedded on surfaces. If possible, arrange for an air cleaner or air purifier to be installed in your home after the renovation is complete to help remove any remaining particles of dust and other contaminants that may have become lodged in your home’s ventilation system.