Unfortunately, not all building contractors are going to take care of post-renovation cleanup. After spending a month (sometimes more) creating piles of renovation debris and dust in your home, many will leave the cleanup for you to do.
If you’re looking for light-hearted and practical advice for what to do with your newly renovated space, look no further.
Cleaning up after a renovation can be difficult
Renovation and construction dust build up quickly, so it needs to be cleaned every day. If you miss a day, though, cleaning will take about as much time as if you had done it daily – so make sure that your tools are ready for action!
From demolition trash removal to how to clean up construction debris, we’ll walk you through the process of cleaning up after a renovation.
Construction debris should be removed and disposed of
The first steps of post-renovation cleanup involve cleaning up all the leftover debris from construction and remodeling. This includes any large pieces of trash such as scraps, lumber, countertops, concrete, or other building supplies like broken tools or hardware.
Dumpster rental can be problematic and expensive. First, you may need to get a permit to have the dumpster placed on your property. Additionally, it might not always be in a convenient location which means that handling this project by yourself would be difficult and time-consuming.
For a full property clean-out, you don’t need to do all the work. Junk Removal Guys specializes in the post-renovation cleanup of abandoned properties and homes where there is no basement or attic access available.
The next step after removing renovation waste and debris is to vacuum up leftover construction dust. It may be in areas you don’t expect, like the underside of things or your closets.
Ways to manage construction dust
When it comes to construction projects, dust is a major factor. Whether it’s drywall, wood, brick or concrete particles from any type of home renovation will spread throughout the home into every corner and on everything–even ones you don’t see.
As construction dust is detrimental to respiratory health, taking care to clean up all of the build-ups after a project is completed should be your top priority.
PRO TIP: One of the most overlooked dangers of construction is dust. You should always wear a mask and goggles when cleaning up construction sites to protect your eyes, throat, and lungs from developing respiratory conditions.
A post-renovation cleaning checklist
Once the construction is complete, you will need to finish up by cleaning. Cleaning includes removing any construction materials and waste left over from renovations, as well as general maintenance tasks.
General Cleaning
Clean construction dirt from the walls: If you don’t know how to clean dusts off the wall, you could end up damaging them.
- First, wipe your walls with a damp towel.
- Next, wrap your cloth around your broom and tape it securely.
- Finally, push the towel along them to trap and remove dusty dirt.
Dust your ceiling and ceiling fans using the vacuum’s soft bristle brush attachment and hose. If you don’t have a vacuum, use your broom with a clean towel from the previous step.
Clean up all the dust and dirt in your home by wiping down trim, baseboards, window frames, and doors with a soft towel. Spray on some light cleaning solution for stubborn stains.
Sweep, mop, and vacuum: You can use a standard broom and dustpan to keep hard floors clean. However, if you have wooden or tiled flooring, investing in a Swiffer or dustmop will make the task cleaner and easier. After sweeping and mopping your floors, be sure to vacuum any carpets that might have been affected by renovation dust.
Use a soft towel and glass cleaner to wipe down windows.
Cleaning dirty light fixtures and bulbs can be a challenge. Just wiping them down will take care of the problem.
Kitchen & Bathroom
The first step is vacuuming the area. You may need a few more filters, depending on the amount of dust and debris that have accumulated over time. Once you’ve vacuumed, use a clean soft cloth with a mild dusting spray to remove any residual particles.
Cleaning cabinets before you move: Even if you’re not doing kitchen renovations, dust and dirt may have settled. Wipeout any surfaces that might be able to trap dust or other contaminants first. Be careful to avoid dirtying your area rug which is rolled up near the edge of the cabinet door opening.
Tackle as much of the dirt on your countertops and backsplashes with a scrubber, until they are clean.
Clean around the sink: When you wipe down your sinks and faucets, don’t forget about where caulk meets countertops.
Cleaning appliances: wipe them down (dust accumulates more on them near renovation time). Replace the air filter in your HVAC system if need be, and make it a MERV 11 or higher to trap all dust.
Basic cleaning like dusting the toilets and mirrors will remove any dust that has settled on them.
That’s all! Now, enjoy your new space- dust, and dirt-free.