Putting your home back together after a renovation is an exhilarating experience! It’s amazing to see your ideas take shape and the excitement of using the new space is incredible. But, there’s an important task that needs your attention before you can fully enjoy your revamped abode: cleaning up after the renovation. Fear not, we’re here to help! We’ve put together a comprehensive guide that outlines all the essential steps to make sure your renovated area is spotlessly clean. Let’s start the adventure towards a spotlessly clean home following its makeover.
Key points
- Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including shelves, walls, window sills, and window frames. Be sure to vacuum carpets and dust furniture thoroughly with a cloth.
- Vacuum all floors throughout your home to ensure that every speck of dust and dirt has been removed; focus on corners, and behind furniture, and change filters/bags regularly.
- Mop all hard surface floors after sweeping, dusting & vacuuming; remove any excess moisture with a dry towel or allow it to air-dry.
- Clean and polish all windows using an appropriate cleaner; be sure to scrape off debris before cleaning & use lint-free cloths or squeegees for streak-free results.
- Wipe down appliances with soap & water; clean out drawers & cabinets while being mindful of any special instructions from manufacturers when deep cleaning.
- If bad smells are apparent: run an air purifier inside the home as well as open up windows for fresh air circulation or contact a professional if needed.
- Dispose of hazardous materials by consulting with an expert on the best management methods – some permits may be required for transportation & disposal.
- Take care of necessary pest control measures.
Dust and wipe down all surfaces
Dust and wipe down all surfaces, including shelves, walls, window sills, and window frames. Be sure to vacuum carpets and dust furniture thoroughly with a cloth. If you have recently completed woodwork projects, it may be necessary to sand the surface before wiping it down with a damp towel.
The goal is to make sure that dust left behind from the renovation process is eliminated before the final cleanup begins. When in doubt, use a duster first to remove any loose particles, then follow up with a damp cloth.
Vacuum all floors
When the dust has settled and the contractors have cleared the job site, you may feel relieved that the renovation process is over. However, it’s important to remember that there are still many post-renovation tasks to be completed before your home is truly ready for use. One important task is vacuuming all floors throughout your home to ensure that every speck of dust and dirt has been removed. Here are some tips on how to properly vacuum your floors post-renovation:
- Start from the top and work down – Before you begin to use a vacuum, begin by wiping down walls and baseboards with a damp cloth; then move on to vacuuming the carpets, area rugs, and hardwood floors in each room. Work from top to bottom, as this will help capture any debris that may be lingering from the drywall and/or other building materials that are now absent from your home.
- Focus on corners – Vacuum slowly in corners as these areas can often harbor dust bunnies or other items that have come loose during construction or demolition processes. Be sure to check behind furniture as well, since any missed particles can be hidden by larger pieces of furniture.
- Change filters regularly – If you are using a bagless vacuum cleaner, make sure you regularly empty it and clean out its filters or bags so they do not become clogged with dust particles over time. This will help ensure optimal performance of your machine while still keeping construction dust out of the air or committing potential hazards such as respiratory irritants in sensitive areas such as bedrooms and living rooms where children play or people relax after a long day at work.
- Vacuuming all floors after a remodel job is an important step in completing the post-renovation process effectively.
Mop all hard surface floors
Before mopping hard surface floors, first, sweep dust and vacuum the areas to be cleaned to remove any dirt, hair, and debris. Begin mopping by preparing the solution according to manufacturer instructions and filling a clean mop bucket with the mop solution.
Dip a clean mop into the solution, wringing it out until it is barely damp – not wet. Start at one corner of the room and work your way across in overlapping strokes to avoid leaving streaks on the floor. Continue this pattern until you have mopped the entire area. Remove any excess moisture with a dry towel or allow it to air-dry by opening windows or increasing ventilation in a room.
Clean and polish all windows
After a renovation, windows often end up with dirt, dust, and an excessive amount of residue from the workers on them. It is important to clean and polish them to make sure they look as good as when they were installed.
Clean the windows using an appropriate cleaner and a soft cloth or paper towels. For particularly dirty windows, you can use a scraper to remove any debris before cleaning. Make sure you thoroughly dry the glass after cleaning with a lint-free cloth or squeegee for streak-free results.
Finally, you can use a polishing compound to provide an extra shine on your windows or use a glass sealant for extra protection against future dirt build-up. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions when applying sealants or polishes, and make sure to keep excess liquid away from window frames to avoid damaging paintwork or other materials near the window.
Wipe down all appliances
It is important to efficiently clean all of your appliances after every renovation. Start by wiping down all countertops and surfaces with soap and water. Clean behind refrigerator, ovens, microwaves, etc., and make sure that any food crumbs or dirt get wiped away. In addition, clean out all drawers and cabinets making sure to get rid of dust that may have accumulated in the process of the renovation.
Once these areas are spotless, you can move on to polishing or scrubbing the appliances as needed. Be sure to take into account any special instructions provided by your appliance manufacturer before attempting any deep cleaning procedures. Finally, ensure that all knobs are polished in order for them to look sparklingly new again!
Check for any lingering odors
If any bad smells are apparent and have been identified, they may need to be mitigated. Try running an air purifier inside the home as well as opening all the windows to allow fresh air to circulate throughout the space. In areas that had excessive dust or smoke residue, steam cleaning may be necessary. If a widespread smell is present, ozone (activated oxygen) generators may be an option to reduce odor-causing particles in the area.
Additionally, identify any potential sources of the smell and determine if they can be easily corrected such as a dirty air filter in an air conditioning unit or pet odors. If these tests fail to mitigate any lingering odors, contacting a professional for assistance is likely necessary.
Dispose of any hazardous materials
In addition to dust and debris, renovating a property often results in construction workers having to dispose of hazardous materials. It is incredibly important to ensure these materials are correctly disposed of by a licensed hazardous waste disposal professional. Depending on the type of waste, it may need to be sorted and disposed of either at a landfill, an incinerator, or through toxin release monitoring/reporting. If you are unsure what types of materials should be handled as hazardous waste, it is always best to do research or consult with an expert who can advise you on proper management methods. In some cases, special permits may be required for transportation and disposal.
Additionally, terms such as “universal waste,” “EPA waste,” “non-regulated medical sharps” or any other labels used to signify that the material in question must be handled as a hazardous material. Homeowners should talk with their contractors about any potential hazards before undertaking any home renovation projects, including how to properly dispose of all hazardous materials created during the renovation process.
Take care of any necessary pest control measures
After the renovations are completed, it is important to take the necessary steps to ensure that any pests or animals from the location or nearby area, who may have been attracted by the construction works, are removed. This is important as construction materials can provide shelter for natural pests and animals such as ants, cockroaches, and rodents. Additionally, you should inspect for any drains which may be blocked as this could provide shelter and an ideal environment for these types of animals and pests.
The pest control measures depend on your location and budget; it could include DIY methods such as store-bought insecticides or traps, engaging a professional pest control service provider to take care of the issue, or even seeking local wildlife advice if appropriate. When selecting a professional cleaning company make sure to thoroughly evaluate their standard practices in order to ensure quality control. Questions such as what methods do they use? have they previously helped similar households? are all valid points of discussion when considering a service provider.
Reorganize and declutter
Organizing and decluttering is a necessary steps in post-renovation cleaning. To successfully complete this task, you must have an understanding of what items have to stay and what items have to go. Start by de-cluttering the space. This can be done by taking the items out of the space that you do not feel are essential for keeping in the room such as old furniture, outdated decorations, and other unnecessary items, followed by reorganizing all your decorations, furnishings, appliances, and other belongings so that you can aim to make a refurbished room look full without having superfluous or ill-placed pieces.
Additionally, use this opportunity as a chance to repurpose any soft furnishing pieces that may no longer serve their original purpose but could still be used in other areas of your home. Remember careful organization of added materials post-renovation will significantly reduce cleanup afterward.
Conclusion
Though post-renovation cleaning may be daunting, it is a necessary step to ensure your new space is up to a comfortable standard and looks the way you imagined. Taking the time to thoroughly clean and perform these closing tasks will make all the difference in creating a healthy and enjoyable home. As you move into your newly renovated space, keep referring back to this checklist to make sure no area is overlooked or forgotten.