Post Construction & Renovation Cleaning: After the Dust Settles
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After finishing a home or business renovation project, you're ready to sit back and enjoy your new space, right? Not so fast.
Before you can kick up your feet, you need to complete a post-construction cleaning marathon. Your primary focus should be removing all the dust from construction before it ends up in your air ducts.
Almost all home and commercial improvement projects produce dust particles that somehow sneak into every nook and cranny of the space you've so carefully renovated. Don't let layers of dust leave your freshly renovated home looking old and dingy.
Strap on a protective mask and use our handy post-construction checklist from the cleaning company ServiceMaster Clean to put the finishing touches on your beautiful new space.
Post-Construction Cleaning Checklist
Step 1: Prep & Gather Your Materials
Let's get you prepped and ready to tackle that post-renovation dust storm! Before you dive into the cleaning marathon, gather your supplies and get organized. Trust us, a little prep work goes a long way in making this whole process smoother.
Prepping for the Clean-Up: A Quick Checklist
- Ventilate, Ventilate, Ventilate. Open those windows and doors! Fresh air is your friend. This helps dust settle and keeps you from breathing in too much of it.
- Clear the Room(s). Remove any loose items from your cleaning area. This will prevent you from having to move them around while you're trying to clean.
- Protect What You Can't Move. Cover any remaining furniture or fixtures with plastic sheeting or drop cloths. This will help minimize dust landing on them.
- Safety First! Put on your protective gear: a good dust mask (preferably an N95 or higher), safety goggles, and gloves. You don't want to be breathing in all that construction dust.
Next, gather your materials.
We've included prep and materials checklists for home and commercial settings:
Materials for Home Post-Construction Cleaning
Okay, now for the fun part – gathering your cleaning arsenal! Here's what you'll likely need:
- Vacuum with HEPA Filter: This is crucial for trapping fine dust particles. A regular vacuum might kick the dust back into the air.
- Shop-Vac: For large debris and heavy-duty dust.
- Microfiber Cloths: These are amazing for trapping dust without pushing it around.
- Damp Cloths/Sponges: For wiping down surfaces.
- Mop and Bucket: For those hard floors.
- All-Purpose Cleaner: A good cleaner for various surfaces.
- Specialized Cleaners: Depending on your surfaces (wood cleaner, glass cleaner, etc.).
- Dust Masks (N95 or higher), Safety Goggles, and Gloves: For your protection.
- Ladders or Step Stools: These are used to reach those high places.
- Plenty of Trash Bags: These are for debris and used clothes.
- Air Filter Replacements: Have new air filters on hand.
Materials for Commercial Post-Construction Cleaning
If you're cleaning up after a business remodel, you might need a slightly more robust setup:
- Commercial-Grade Vacuum with HEPA Filter: For larger spaces and heavier dust loads.
- Industrial Shop-Vac: This is for handling larger volumes of debris.
- Heavy-Duty Microfiber Cloths and Mops: For tackling large surface areas.
- Commercial-Strength Cleaning Solutions: For effective cleaning of various surfaces.
- Floor Scrubbers/Buffers: For large floor areas.
- Extension Poles and Dusting Systems: Use these materials to reach high ceilings and ductwork.
- Large Capacity Trash Cans and Disposal Bags: For efficient waste management.
- Air Scrubbers: These help remove airborne dust.
- PPE for All Staff: Ensure that everyone has the proper personal protection.
By prepping and gathering the right materials, you'll be well on your way to a clean and dust-free space!
Step 2: Vacuum Carpets & Upholstery
First, vacuum your carpets, cubical walls, and upholstered furniture. It's all too easy for dust and dirt particles to embed themselves in curtains, upholstered furniture, and carpeted floors.
If allowed to settle after construction, the result can look filthy and cause itchy, irritating reactions for friends, family, or guests. At work, dusty cubical walls can affect your employees' allergies. Vacuum all soft surfaces, paying close attention to the details.
Remove and vacuum each furniture cushion and the underlying frames. Try vacuuming twice if you feel any residual dust after the first round.
Step 3: Wipe Down Hard Surfaces
Clean surfaces from the top down. Start by wiping the dust off your walls – yes, even your walls collect dust during construction.
Dry dusting is the safest way to remove the particles without damaging a wall's surface. That said, a damp cloth can also be used, depending on your type of paint or wall covering. Moldings and cabinets are another favorite resting spot for dust particles, so wipe these surfaces down, too.
Pro Tip: Refer to the paint or wallpaper manufacturer before using any moisture and test a small area before proceeding.
Next, take a duster to these areas. Clean the interior shelves of all cabinets, paying special attention to those hard-to-reach corners. Wipe off countertops and other flat surfaces before tackling the dirt and debris on or near the floor. Finally, sweep out any visible dust and mop your hard floors from wall to wall.
Step 4: Clean Air Vents & Replace Filters
Clean your air vents and replace the air filters. In a large home renovation project, dust and debris will mingle with the air itself, making its way to your vents.
Even if you only renovate one part of your home, treating the air vents and filters in that space is critical to reducing the dust that can spread through the rest of your home.
Remove the vent covers from the surrounding walls and ceilings, clean each with soap and warm water, and let them dry thoroughly.
Replace any exposed air filters with fresh ones before replacing the vent covers. Breathing in dusty air can lead to allergies and respiratory issues, so remember not to skip this step!
Step 5: Don’t Forget About the Little Things
Clean any furniture or items in the renovation zone for an entirely dust-free living space.
Here's a quick list of commonly overlooked areas:
- Ceiling fan blades
- Light fixtures
- Lamp shades
- Electronics
- Small appliances
- Decorative items
Need Professional Post-Construction Clean-up? We Offer Free Quotes!
We don't blame you if you don’t want to deal with the mess after a disruptive renovation process. If that's the case, call ServiceMaster Clean.
Our expert cleaning crews are available 24/7/365 to come over and do the post-construction cleaning for you – quickly, safely, and effectively. Soon, you'll be relaxing in your little slice of paradise with the chaotic memories of renovation behind you and a bright, clean future ahead.
Contact your local ServiceMaster Clean for post-construction cleaning near you! We offer free quotes.
