Are you worried about restoring your home to its pre-renovation state? You don’t have to worry anymore! Read on to learn the essential steps of post-renovation cleaning and how you can easily follow them. Get ready to turn your renovation project into a success!
Initial Inspection and Assessment
When renovating any property, it is important to hire a reliable post-renovation cleaning specialist as soon as possible. Before the post-renovation cleaning process can begin, a rigorous inspection and assessment must be conducted by the specialist.
During this initial inspection, the specialist will make an inventory of all materials used throughout the renovation process and assess areas that require extra attention. Key elements taken into consideration include walls, ceilings, flooring and furniture that may have been exposed to dust or debris during the renovation. At the end of this phase, a cleanliness report will be provided along with instructions on what needs to be addressed before beginning with further post-renovation cleaning processes.
Once this report is reviewed, the next phase of post-renovation cleaning can begin.
Dust and Debris Removal
The dust and debris removal phase is the first step in post-renovation cleaning. This process involves removing all of the loose dust, dirt, and debris that may have been left behind from the construction or renovation process. All dust and build-up from tools, equipment, windowsills, doorways, walls, and appliances should be removed before any other form of cleaning can be started. It is important to wear a respirator mask and work gloves during this step for safety reasons.
Vacuuming all sections of the space should be done with precision to ensure that all particles are eliminated. Flooring and surfaces should be cleaned either by hand with a damp cloth or a mop with neutral pH cleaner. Upon completing this task, all carpets should also be vacuumed with special attention given to spots between wall corners or any crevices in furniture items or wall hangings.
Cleaning of Walls and Ceilings
Cleaning of walls and ceilings is a crucial step in post-renovation cleaning. This involves removing any dirt and dust left behind from construction activities, as well as eliminating any leftover debris that could have been lodged into crevices in the wall or ceiling. Cleaning of walls and ceilings is also important in order to remove any greasy residue or old chipboard that may have been used during construction work, which could attract mites and other pests.
The materials you will need for this step depend on the type of surface that you are cleaning, but typically include household cleaning products, such as bleach and all-purpose cleaners. For tougher stains or messes, you may need to use stronger solutions like TSP (trisodium phosphate), which should always be handled with caution due to its caustic properties.
When using liquid products to clean walls and ceilings, it is important to:
- Wear a face mask and protective clothing to avoid the risk of inhaling the fumes or having them come into contact with your skin.
- Scrubbing too hard can cause fabric damage or marks on surfaces so it’s important not to be too forceful when tackling tough stains.
- Wiping down surfaces with a damp cloth after cleaning can help to remove excess product residue so that there are no puddles forming on floors below once the project has been completed.
Cleaning of Windows and Doors
Clean windows and doors are an essential part of post-renovation cleaning. During the renovation process, dust, dirt, and other debris can settle on these surfaces, making them difficult to remove. To ensure that these surfaces are clean, use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining dust or dirt.
Once all of the dirt is removed from the windows and doors, you must use an appropriate glass cleaner to clean the surface and make them shine. While wiping down the windows and doors with a microfiber cloth or newspaper helps to repel water droplets, it’s important to finish by drying them with a lint-free cloth or towel in order to avoid streaking or smudging on the finished surface. Finally, use a good quality spray wax in order to provide extra protection against future dust buildup.
Taking these steps will help ensure that your windows and doors remain clean long after your renovations have been completed.
Cleaning of Floors
The floor is the foundation of any home and after a renovation, it can show signs of wear and tear; therefore, it is important to take proper care in cleaning the floors.
The first step for properly cleaning your floors post-renovation is to vacuum and sweep the floors using a vacuum cleaner that has the appropriate attachments or simply use a broom. This will help remove dust particles, dirt, grime, and other debris that might have been left behind from the construction process.
After vacuuming or sweeping your floor, use a mop with warm water and mild liquid dishwashing detergent to thoroughly clean all surfaces. Be sure to rinse off any left over soapy residue with clean water to avoid dulling/waxing finish surfaces.
For hardwood floors, some wooden floor cleaners will be helpful in restoring the wood’s luster and sheen. Lastly, buff the floors with a soft cloth should your type of finish require it.
Cleaning of Fixtures and Appliances
Once the overall renovation dust has been cleaned, it’s time to move onto fixtures and appliances. This step is important, as you’ll want to ensure all the brand new surfaces are kept clean.
Begin by vacuuming around fixtures, such as lighting, fans and countertops. Make sure to vacuum any crevices or hard to reach places, as dirt and dust can accumulate even in these tight spots.
Once finished with vacuuming, proceed by wiping down all visible surfaces with a damp cloth. This will help get rid of any leftover dust or residue that may have gone unnoticed during vacuuming. It’s important to be thorough while doing so – don’t forget to clean door handles and cupboard fronts!
When the wiping phase is complete, move onto polishing any stainless steel and chrome surfaces. For this step use a stainless steel cleaner per manufacturer instructions for best results. To wrap up the fixture cleaning process apply glass cleaner or polish all glass or mirrors used on cabinetry doors and walls for an extra sparkle finish!
Lastly, tackle all appliances – from fridges to ovens – by giving them a good scrub down inside and out if needed. Wipe off handles with an antimicrobial cleaner or detergent depending on the material used for construction of each appliance. Take extra care when cleaning gas stoves – check manufacturer guidelines before attempting this task!
Deep Cleaning of Bathrooms and Kitchens
Deep cleaning the bathrooms and kitchens is an important part of post-renovation cleaning. Bathroom deep cleaning involves thoroughly scrubbing bathroom tiles, walls, and floors to remove excess dirt and grime. This should also include thorough cleaning of both tubs and showers, as well as vanities, faucets, sink drains, toilets and any other fixtures present in the bathroom. Once complete, counters should be wiped down with a disinfecting cleaner to reduce the number of germs present.
Kitchen deep cleaning includes:
- Scouring counters
- Wiping off cupboards and drawer fronts
- Removing grease buildup on range hoods
- Thoroughly wiping down appliances such as stoves and refrigerators (inside and out)
- Mopping floors
- Washing windows inside
- Vacuuming carpets where applicable
- Polishing stainless steel appliances such as sinks and dishwashers
- Polishing countertops with a chemical-free cleaner
- Sanitizing food preparation areas
- Shining chrome fixtures
- Dusting ceiling fans/vent covers/furniture
- Scrubbing tile fillers between floor tiles.
Finally heavy-duty treatments such as waxing floors or polishing granite countertops may also be recommended depending on specific situations.
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning
Carpet and upholstery cleaning can be a difficult and tedious task after a renovation, but it is essential to ensure that they are in the best possible condition. Carpets and other soft furnishings typically absorb dust, dirt, and fumes during the renovation process, so vacuuming alone will not suffice. Proper care should be taken to deep clean these items in order to remove any hazardous materials and restore their original look.
The most important step in carpet and upholstery cleaning is initial vacuuming. Use an industrial or shop-vac vacuum cleaner as this will be more effective than an ordinary household vacuum cleaner. Take care to pay particular attention to area rugs, stairs, crevices between furniture pieces, edges, walls (where floor meets wall) anywhere dust has gathered during the renovation process.
Once vacuuming is complete you are ready for a deeper clean. Depending upon what fibers your carpet or upholstery is made of (wool, polyester, etc.) select an appropriate commercial grade product for cleaning purposes. For wool carpets or upholstery use a wool-specific cleaner; water may cause shrinkage or damage so always read the instructions on the packaging thoroughly before using any products. Apply foam according to instructions given on the product bottle then agitate gently with a brush as required by manufacturer instructions then rinse with clean water using either handheld steam cleaners or sponge cleaner mops depending on your preference/available machinery/products available etc.
For synthetic rugs or carpets specialized detergents may be needed – if in doubt refer back to product label prior to use. These need only minimal agitation with brush followed by repeat of rinse step mentioned above till all detergent residues are dissolved/removed prior to being allowed complete air dry process prior to returning furniture onto affected areas – this last part must occur sooner rather than later as damp environment/materials can cause different problems like moulds development or increase likelihood of pests like mites which range of problems exceed what was intended scope of remediation under this post-renovation cleaning tasks.
Final Inspection and Touch-ups
The final step of post-renovation cleaning is the inspection and touch-ups. During this stage, the entire property should be carefully inspected from the floors to the ceilings to identify any significant problems or defects. If something is found to be faulty or incomplete, it should be highlighted immediately for rectification in order for it to pass inspection.
Once everything passes inspection and is deemed satisfactory by all parties involved, some final touch-ups may need to occur before the property can be declared complete and appropriate for use or occupancy. This can include refinishing walls and floors that have suffered staining or damage due to construction debris, as well as performing any minor repairs that may need addressing before closure.
Additional cleaning activities which may occur during this phase include:
- Dusting furniture.
- Cleaning windows and glass surfaces with a clean cloth.
- Vacuuming floor carpets and rugs thoroughly.
- Disposing of all construction waste materials such as tape residue, scrap wood and building materials.
- Checking grout lines on floor tiles for dirt build up.
- Mopping hard surface flooring such as tiles and laminates with a suitable cleaner where necessary.
- Spot cleaning interior walls if they require it due to having been scuffed during installation works etc.
Doing this thoroughly will ensure that the post-renovation clean leaves a lasting positive impression on the customer. It must also meet any relevant industry standards in order not just pass but exceed expectations.
Conclusion
Many people don’t think of thorough post-renovation cleaning beyond the basics. However, a proper post-renovation clean is essential for maintaining the life of materials and structures.
The three main phases of post-renovation cleaning include:
- Pre-cleaning which involves preparatory tasks such as dusting and wiping down surfaces.
- Intermediate Cleaning which includes vacuuming, spot cleaning and stain removal.
- Final Cleaning which involves deep cleaning with specialized tools or products, such as scrubbing floors or steam cleaning draperies.
It’s important that post-renovation cleaning be tailored to the specific needs of the project. Homeowners should discuss the types of cleaners that are best suited for their project with the contractor prior to starting in order to ensure a thorough and effective clean. Follow up on these steps until you get your desired results will provide you with an environment without malodors and allergies from dust mites caused by improper or incomplete cleaning after renovation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the phases of post-renovation cleaning?
The phases of post-renovation cleaning typically include: removing debris, dusting surfaces, wiping down surfaces with cleaning solution, deep cleaning floors, and addressing any specific issues or areas of concern.
How long does post-renovation cleaning usually take?
The duration of post-renovation cleaning depends on the size of the renovation and the extent of the mess. However, it usually takes several hours to several days to complete.
Do I need to hire a professional post-renovation cleaning company?
It is recommended that you hire a professional post-renovation cleaning company since they have the necessary tools, products, and experience to efficiently clean your space and ensure that it is safe to inhabit.
Can I clean up the post-renovation mess myself?
It is possible to clean up the post-renovation mess yourself, but it can be time-consuming and challenging. Additionally, you may not have access to the specialized cleaning products and equipment that a professional cleaning company has.
What should I do before the post-renovation cleaning company arrives?
Before the post-renovation cleaning company arrives, you should make sure all debris and large items have been removed. Additionally, it is helpful to make a list of any specific concerns or areas that you want the cleaning company to address.
What if I notice something was missed during the post-renovation cleaning?
If you notice something was missed during the post-renovation cleaning, you should contact the cleaning company immediately to address any issues.