Are you a homeowner who just renovated your home and now wondering how to get it clean again? Cleaning up after a renovation is no easy task. You don’t have to go through it alone. Here’s a thorough post renovation cleaning checklist to help you restore your home back to its original state. You won’t need any special skills or products, just follow the tips and you will be done in no time!
- Dust all surfaces, including ceilings, walls, windows, doors, and floors.
- Vacuum all carpets, rugs, and upholstery.
- Wash all windows, window sills, and window screens.
- Clean all light fixtures and ceiling fans.
- Wash all walls, doors, and door frames.
- Clean all switch plates and outlet covers.
- Wash all floors and baseboards.
- Clean all appliances, countertops, and cabinets.
- Clean and disinfect all bathrooms.
- Clean all mirrors and glass surfaces.
Pre-Cleaning Preparation
Before beginning a post renovation clean, it is critical that all tools, materials, and furniture are cleared from the area being cleaned. Pre-cleaning preparation includes a wide range of tasks including removing debris from the site and inspecting for any remaining dirt and dust. Additionally, you should ensure that any leftover paint splatters or other hazardous materials such as nails or staples are properly disposed of so as to not cause injuries to yourself or anyone else.
Once the area being cleaned is prepped, it’s time to gather the necessary cleaning supplies. As a general rule, the list of supplies needed will depend on what types of surfaces you intend to clean. For example, if you are going to be cleaning wood surfaces then you may need wood cleaner and polisher while if you plan on cleaning tile or countertops then you might need special tile cleaner. Additionally, it’s important to have some sort of detergent such as dish soap or laundry detergent.
Lastly, always make sure that you have an ample supply of paper towels and microfiber cloths as they both come in handy during any type of post renovation cleaning job.
Cleaning Supplies Checklist
Professional post renovation cleaning company have access to commercial grade products, supplies, and equipment that make the process different from a DIY approach. To prepare for an efficient post renovation cleaning process and ensure you get the best results, it is essential to have the necessary supplies on hand.
This checklist includes some of the most common items used by professional post-renovation cleaners:
- Dry mop with an extendable handle: This mop can be used on hard surfaces, such as tile and hardwood floors, to quickly pick up dirt, dust and debris.
- Wet mop with an extendable handle for larger area coverage.
- Cleaning solution designed for post renovation dust and debris removal: Many professional companies use special solutions developed specifically for this purpose. The chemicals in these solutions help break down paint particles so they don’t spread throughout your home.
- Microfiber cloths and towels to be used in upholstery cleaning tasks. These are great for removing dust from surfaces like cabinets, walls or even glass windows or doors.
- Broom and dustpan set: A broom with stiff bristles can help collect heavier debris such as nails or screws that may have been missed during the initial clean up process.
- Vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter attached: This is important to capture as much dust as possible as it will help reduce allergen exposure in your home once the renovations are complete. A vacuum simple fitting with a HEPA filter is ideal but they come in more effective models too if needed.
Walls and Ceilings
Walls and ceilings should be thoroughly inspected to check for any imperfections or debris that may have been caused by the renovation process. Cleaning a wall or ceiling can involve a range of tasks, such as:
- Using a damp cloth to wipe down the surface.
- Vacuuming away cobwebs or dirt.
- Using an appropriate cleaning product to remove any stains or discoloration.
- If there are mold spots, they should be addressed with a suitable anti-mold product.
- Walls and ceilings can then be wiped with a microfiber cloth to complete the cleaning process.
You may also wish to apply a new coat of paint if desired, though it is not always necessary.
Windows and Doors
Windows and doors should be cleaned with a mild detergent and water. If you have wooden windows or doors, make sure to use a non-abrasive cleaner. If they are framed in aluminum or vinyl, you can use a non-abrasive cleaner specifically intended for those materials.
Pay particular attention to corners and where the windows and doors meet the frame, since dirt likes to accumulate there. You can use an old toothbrush or similar scrubbing implement to get into those areas. Once you have cleaned all the exposed surfaces, rinse them off with clean water using a soft cloth or hose. Dry immediately afterwards with another cloth, so that no water spots remain on the surface of your windows or doors.
Floors and Baseboards
Floors and baseboards are some of the most commonly forgotten areas when performing post renovation home cleaning. As renovations often involve a lot of dust, dirt and debris, it’s important to ensure that these areas of your home are properly cleaned.
For floors, use a vacuum cleaner to remove any dirt and debris from the surface of the flooring. If you have hardwood floors, mop them with hardwood floor cleaner or soap and warm water to remove any remaining bits. You may also need to lightly scrub any stubborn stains with a brush or non-abrasive pad for an extra deep clean. Then dry mop the area with a clean cloth to make sure the floors look their best.
Baseboards can be vacuumed first and then wiped down with a damp cloth. Make sure not to use too much liquid on baseboards as too much moisture can damage them over time. Additionally, pay special attention to corners as they often accumulate more dust than other parts of the wall due to poor ventilation in these hard-to-reach spaces. Finally, finish off by wiping down all walls with a damp cloth or disposable wet wipes.
Kitchen
The kitchen is one of the hardest working areas in any home and requires some extra attention after remodeling. Start by wiping down all the cabinets, countertops, and backsplashes with a multi-surface cleaner. Make sure to pay particular attention to any built-in appliances like sink disposals or oven microwaves.
Also, ensure that there are no grease or food residue left on surfaces by using a degreaser for kitchen stovetops, countertops, and tile grout and utilize cleaners designed specifically for stainless steel or stone surfaces as needed. Check inside appliances such as refrigerators and dishwashers for dirt or grime build-up – use a non-abrasive cloth with warm soapy water or vinegar solution to remove these areas if necessary. Clean windows selectively throughout the kitchen space and sanitize door handles & knobs; dispose all boxes & packing materials you were using for renovation afterward.
Bathrooms
Bathrooms are some of the most important areas to keep clean after a renovation. During the renovation process, construction dust, dirt and debris can build up in these humid and often forgotten spaces. Make sure you give your bathrooms the proper cleaning following any construction activity with this checklist:
- Clean all surfaces from ceiling to floor. Wipe down walls and remove any cobwebs. Be sure to dust light fixtures, exhaust fans, blinds or curtains, towel racks, doorknobs, switch plates and baseboards as well.
- Check all grout lines for debris using a vacuum or shop vac. Follow with a thorough cleaning using an appropriate grout cleaner and brush tool to ensure cleanliness and freshness.
- Sweep, mop or steam clean floors being careful around electrical outlets and heating vents if necessary. If you have hardwood floors be sure to use an appropriate cleaner.
- Clean bathtubs/showers including shower walls as well as glass windows/doors if present. Scrub shower head making sure that all dirt and residue is removed from all crevices including nozzles for optimal performance.
- Scrub sinks with appropriate cleaners paying close attention to faucets/handles where bacteria may be hiding out. If present make sure that the bidet is cleaned thoroughly as well before use!
- Sanitize toilets inside & out – use sanitizing wipes or powdered cleaners specifically designed for toilets along with strong toothbrush that can reach small nooks & crannies where germs may be lurking!
Living Areas and Bedrooms
Living areas and bedrooms include living rooms, family rooms, dining rooms, hallways and other common areas as well as bedrooms. Before completing the job a professional cleaning service should:
- remove all dust and debris
- clean walls, door frames and window frames
- vacuum carpets and furniture
- remove cobwebs from corners of walls and ceilings
- polish hard surfaces such as furniture, desk tops and countertops
- ensure that carpets are free of embedded dirt using a deep carpet extraction method
- use a wet mop combined with cleaning chemicals to clean hard surface floors
- move furniture out of the way in order to access hard-to-reach corners
- use fabric care products if needed on curtains or upholstery for added protection against dirt build up or future stains
- clean windows in these areas to remove smudges or marks from work crews
- check all light fixtures in these spaces making sure each bulb is working properly before signing off on the contract.
Final Touches and Inspection
Once the final repairs and renovations are complete and the mess is cleared away, it’s time to step back and admire the work. At this stage, you’re in a race to move in before the dust coats everything – but you shouldn’t rush it. Here are some tasks to remember during this phase of renovation:
- Inspect all surfaces for dust or debris, especially in areas which were heavily renovated.
- Check walls, windowsills, and doorframes for streaks or marks left by drywall mud or paint.
- Clean ceiling fans, trim work around windows, toilets, tubs/showers for soap scum and grime after installation of fixtures is complete.
- Vacuum carpets thoroughly – if necessary shampoo and treat with deodorizers.
- Wash hardwood floors after any installation work and again before moving back in.
- Empty cabinets that may have been spackled or painted while they were empty.
- Dust blinds or curtains which may have escaped vacuuming.
- Spot clean furniture if it was near any carpentry work like sanding.
- Take a test walk around with white socks on – they will reveal any neglected spots!
Conclusion
Creating a post-renovation cleaning checklist for homeowners is an essential part of the overall remodeling process. With this in mind, you should take the time to make sure that your home is thoroughly cleaned after a renovation project and that all debris has been removed and disposed of properly. Doing so will ensure that your home looks at its best and is safe and comfortable after all work has been completed.
By taking a methodical approach to cleaning each room, paying attention to details like dusting trim, shining hardwood floors, scrubbing out any hard-to-reach areas and checking light fixtures for dust buildup, you can be sure that your newly renovated space is spic-and-span when you are finished. Your efforts will be rewarded when homeowners move into their new spaces with smiles on their faces!