Deep cleaning your home after a renovation can be incredibly overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. You can make the process easier by focusing on key areas that will help make your home look clean and brand new again.
In this article, we’ll cover the most important places to clean after a renovation project:
Kitchen
If you have just completed a renovation on your kitchen, it is important to perform a thorough cleaning. The kitchen is the heart of your home, and the space where you will be preparing and consuming many of your meals.
There are several areas that should be given an extra effort when cleaning up after a remodel in order to ensure that everything is sparkling clean:
- Make sure to take special care when cleaning appliances, as they often collect food residue throughout the cooking process. Ensure that any surface that comes into contact with food gets a deep cleaning using suitable products – including inside ovens and microwaves – before being used again.
- Cabinetry must be polished with appropriate cleaners in order to bring out its natural shine after installation or painting.
- Countertops should also be carefully wiped down with multi-purpose cleaners or cloths suitable for the material type – such as granite or marble – used in those surfaces.
- Floors are an often-forgotten area when it comes to post-renovation cleanings; make sure both hardwood floors and tile floors have been swept or mopped following your renovation work in order for them to stay looking their best long-term.
Bathrooms
When it comes to post-renovation cleaning efforts, your bathrooms are typically the most important areas to focus on. This means paying special attention to all the surfaces, fixtures, and features in the room.
Start by thoroughly cleaning everything with a degreasing cleaner, including walls, counters, floors and toilets. Clean areas such as corners and around handles will require extra scrubbing with a small brush or power scrubber. Once done, use a damp cloth to remove any excess dirt and dust from these largely used rooms. Be sure to also disinfect all surfaces thoroughly afterwards as this will help kill off any remaining bacteria that may still linger in the area. Finally step back and make sure all newly installed fixtures and hardware are sparkling clean.
With the right post-renovation cleaning techniques your bathrooms can stay fresh for years to come!
Bedrooms
In bedrooms, you want to head off mold and mildew from the start. Strip all the bedding and check for any signs of damage before laundrying according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
When finished, vacuum or sweep all of the floors, using a broom on hardwood or tile and a vacuum (on low setting) on carpets. Mop up any stubborn messes that linger after vacuuming like pet fur, dust bunnies or cookie crumbs. Wipe down hard surfaces with a soft cloth dampened with vinegar and water.
Remove any drawers or items stuck in closet shelving so you can clean behind them with a damp cloth—furniture polish can also be used to polish up drawers and shelves if the wood is not particularly delicate or sensitive. You should also dust ceiling fans if present, as well as change any air filters in bedroom AC units if necessary. Fan blades and AC grates should be wiped down with a microfiber cloth. Finally check for cracking/peeling paint on window trim/frames /door frames/ceilings etc—repair if needed as soon as possible.
Living Room
Once the dust has settled and your renovation is complete, it’s time to start tackling the post-renovation clean up. The Living Room is a great place to start and you’ll want to be sure to give it a thorough cleaning. Strive for removing all traces of dust, toxins and chemicals from construction projects that may have impacted this area of your home.
Start by wiping down hard surfaces such as walls, trim, baseboards and door frames with warm soap and water or a damp cloth followed with dry cloth after. Vacuum any surfaces that can’t be washed like carpets or couches. If you have hard surface flooring (like wood or tile) clean and polish them. Dust lamps, shades and other décor items as well as window treatments like curtains or blinds. Don’t forget the interior of closets either; use these steps but also use a vacuum brush attachment on the carpeted closet flooring if available. Wipe off any light switches or outlets that need cleaning while you’re at it!
This quick checklist will ensure that your living room looks squeaky clean after all your renovations are completed!
- Wipe down hard surfaces such as walls, trim, baseboards and door frames with warm soap and water or a damp cloth followed with dry cloth after.
- Vacuum any surfaces that can’t be washed like carpets or couches.
- Clean and polish hard surface flooring (like wood or tile).
- Dust lamps, shades and other décor items as well as window treatments like curtains or blinds.
- Use a vacuum brush attachment on the carpeted closet flooring if available.
- Wipe off any light switches or outlets that need cleaning.
Dining Room
Cleaning the dining room fully post-renovation should include removing dust, dirt, and debris before cleaning all surfaces in the room. It is important to pay specific attention to fixtures and electrical outlets when cleaning. It is also important to remember that some special post-renovation cleaners may be needed for hard surface treatments like vinyl, or specialty treatments like marble and granite.
When time permits, it is helpful to move out furniture items that can be cleaned separately before cleaning the dining room itself. This helps ensure that each space within the dining room gets cleaned more thoroughly with less disruption. If there are carpets within the dining area, they should be spot-cleaned individually as needed or steam-cleaned as part of your overall post-renovation effort. Special care should be taken with any wall hangings in order not to cause damage during cleaning efforts.
Consider cleaning any individual pieces of art or furniture first before putting them back into place within the dining area. Windows and mirrors in particular need proper dusting and thorough wiping down after renovation dust has settled. Consider a professional post renovation cleaning service if necessary. Any well cared for rugs in your dining space should receive a professional steam clean if they have obtained too much dirt during renovations or have been moved around throughout construction efforts.
Hallways and Staircases
Hallways and staircases are often one of the most high-traffic areas in a home and need extra attention after a renovation. Ensure that dirt and dust from the demolition process is cleaned from all surfaces, including walls, floors, banisters, railings, moldings and trims. If appropriate for the type of surface being cleaned, use a vacuum or damp mop to pick up any residual dust. Wallpaper should be stripped of any paste residue; walls should be wiped down with a damp cloth; floors should be vacuumed and swept; carpets should be steamed and stair treads washed as needed to remove all dirt. Light fixtures can also collect dust during renovation projects so make sure you check each one thoroughly.
To keep hallways and staircases looking their best into the future, regularly sweep up debris such as pet hair or dirt tracked in from outside or quickly wipe up spills with an appropriate cloth to maintain your newly renovated space for years to come.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors are often overlooked in post-renovation cleanup efforts, but they should not be. Once all the wallcovering, paint, and lumber has been removed, dirt can remain behind and even build up along frames. Be sure to clean these areas carefully condition with a cloth or soft-bristled brush before you move any furniture back in. Doing so will remove any dust particles that may have clung to the sills or frames during the renovation process.
Once those areas are complete, inspect all your windows and doors for cracks or holes that need repair to ensure that bugs don’t find their way into your home when you least expect it. If there is weatherstripping around windows and doors, make sure it is properly aligned or replaced if it’s aged. Now would also be a great time to lubricate any door hinges as well as upgrade your door handles to better accommodate your new look. Finally, assess whether window treatments such as blinds or curtains should be installed given the updated look of the room and natural sunlight availability.
Floors and Carpets
It’s essential that you check your floors and carpets for dirt, dust, and debris after a home renovation. Start by using a vacuum to clean hardwood, tile, laminate, or other sealed floor finishes. If needed you can use a mop and warm soapy water or an all-surface cleaner for spot cleaning of spills. Additionally, scrub stubborn stains with a brush or an abrasive scrubbing tool. After your sealed floors are cleaned and dried, you should apply a sealer to help protect the floor from dirt and moisture build-up.
For carpets in your home renovation project, regular vacuuming is generally not enough to restore them to their pre-renovation condition. Deep cleaning services such as steam cleaning are usually the best way to remedy dirt and debris from the renovation process. Make sure you follow any manufacturer’s instructions included with the carpeting and ensure they are completely dry before meticulously inspecting them with bright light to uncover any potential stains that may have been missed during deep cleaning efforts.
Walls and Ceilings
Cleaning walls and ceilings after renovations can be an especially tricky task. Since these are two of the larger surfaces in your home, you’ll want to be sure that you dedicate enough time and resources to ensure a complete cleaning job.
When it comes to wall cleaning, your best bet is to start from the top and work your way down. Start off by wiping down any dust that may have collected on light fixtures or other raised surfaces, like vents. From there, use a gentle all-in-one solution to tackle persistent dirt or smudges on the walls. Whenever possible, use a damp cloth and avoid using excessively abrasive sponges or rags when wiping walls.
As for ceilings, utilize a vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush attachment to remove dust particles from the surface without accidental scratches or streaks left behind. For particularly persistent marks like paint drips or spilled paint patches, refer to specific product instructions as several professionals likely used different painting materials during the renovation process. If in doubt about proper cleaning methods for specific areas of walling and ceilinging materials, be sure to consult with an experienced professional for safe results free of damage or harm consistent with manufacturer’s instructions for use.
Outdoor Spaces
Outdoor spaces like decks, patios, driveways and other similar areas are an often forgotten target of post-renovation cleaning efforts. It is important to remember that outdoor renovations may produce a large amount of dirt, dust, and debris that will need to be removed after the construction is complete. Pressure washing and ordinary cleaning techniques can help restore these areas back to their pre-construction glory. Additionally, many projects involve the use of liquid coatings or sealants that must be cleaned properly or they can become unsightly. Be sure to carefully read all post-application instructions on product labels for proper cleaning tactics.
Other outdoor areas may require special treatment such as using a tarpaulin to cover exposed items during construction; this should be taken into consideration as part of your post-renovation cleanup plan. Window sills, gutters and eaves should also be inspected after renovations occur to make sure nothing has been damaged or displaced in the process.
Of course, landscaping needs a thorough cleanup too –
- weeds must be pulled,
- flowerbeds replanted where necessary and
- walkways cleared of loose materials.
Outdoor sections that have been newly built or replaced need further special attention as often they attract more dirt and debris than usual due to their newness – so always give them some extra care!
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas of the house should be cleaned after a renovation?
Common areas to focus on in your post-renovation cleaning efforts include walls and ceilings, floors, windows and doors, and any other surfaces or furniture that may have been moved during the renovation.
What type of cleaning supplies should be used after a renovation?
Depending on the type of renovation, different cleaning supplies may be necessary. For example, after painting a room, a wet cloth and an all-purpose cleaner should be used. For a kitchen renovation, a degreaser may be necessary to remove any residue from the countertops.
How often should the house be cleaned after a renovation?
It is important to clean the house regularly after a renovation to ensure it is kept in good condition. At a minimum, the house should be cleaned at least once a week. Additionally, any areas that were heavily used during the renovation should be cleaned more frequently.
Conclusion
Now that your renovation is done, make sure to complete the project with an effective cleaning. Along with the standard tasks like mopping and dusting, focus on surfaces and areas that you wouldn’t normally clean. These are often overlooked or forgotten but need to be sanitized and neatened if you’re looking for a polished finish. Maintaining a hygienic and organized home space is one of the best investments you can make in upgrading your lifestyle.
Don’t be intimidated by the size of the task – breaking down each job into individual pieces will help simplify what could otherwise feel like an uphill struggle. Whether you choose to take on post-renovation cleaning yourself or hire someone else, following this basic guide will ensure that any job is completed effectively, efficiently, and safely:
- Dust and vacuum surfaces to remove any dust and debris.
- Clean and sanitize countertops, sinks, and other kitchen surfaces.
- Scrub and mop floors to remove dirt and grime.
- Clean windows and mirrors to remove smudges and fingerprints.
- Wipe down walls and baseboards to remove any dirt or dust.
- Clean and sanitize bathrooms to remove mold and mildew.