How to Deep-Clean After a Renovation

Before you bring in the boxes and unwrap your furniture, check that all's really clean

Chiquit Brammall 13 May 2022

Design journalist and freelance editor. Dollhouse architect. Serial renter.

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Your interior designer has handed over your keys, and cleared all the items on your punch list. The contractor has removed the last of the cardboard ‘flooring’, and now you’re all on your own making sure all the dust and debris is cleaned up so it doesn’t get on your furniture, furnishings and art. What do you do?

Oliver Simon Design Inc.

Fingers crossed that your contractor has cleaned up the construction debris – cement particles, drywall dust, sawdust, excess sand – at the end of each day of renovation. Tiled areas have had a chemical clean to remove all residue cement, grout smears and dirt. Even so, you still have to do a good cleanup at the end of the entire renovation as these can scratch wood floors and furniture, get into air conditioner vents and trigger health problems.

Free Space Intent

1. Open up: Ensure that the room is well-ventilated before cleaning. Open the windows and switch on your air filter, if you have one, to absorb excess dust in the air.

Leicht Küchen AG

2. Do a dry clean: Sweep up as much dirt and dust on shelves, counters and floors as you can with a broom. Don’t forget to vacuum any sawdust inside cabinets. Remember to always sweep or vacuum dry first before using damp cloths.

Tip: Use a HEPA filter in your vacuum cleaner. These are high-efficiency filters that trap very fine dust and pollutants.

Neu Konceptz Pte Ltd

3. Don’t forget the walls: Wipe off dust on walls and the ceiling by tying a cleaning cloth securely around the end of a broom handle.

4. Now do a damp clean: Clean off the remaining dirt by wiping surfaces, especially floors, with damp cloths and a mop.

Contemporary Service Yard Contemporary Utility Room

Micromanage that cleanup
Choose micro-fibre mops, cloths and pads as these clean surfaces more efficiently than regular ones. And because the fibres are so small, they are also non-abrasive and extra-light. These micro-fibre cleaning materials help pick up residue dust, fine particles, hair and water effectively, leaving surfaces almost spotless.

The Scientist Pte Ltd

Time to call the pros?
For major renovations, professional cleaners can be called in, as clean-up may be too extensive and taxing to do on your own.

If you had your renovation done on a home you are already living in, you would have already had furniture and soft furnishings. Mattresses, sofas, carpets, and curtains – even if you had covered them in plastic or newspaper – will need a thorough clean as these often accumulate dust that may cause respiratory problems like asthma or rhinitis.

Architology

Do some prep work
Again, if you’re renovating a home you’re already living in, some prep work before the reno can save a lot of cleaning time and effort afterwards.

Cover floors, other surfaces and air conditioners with newspapers to keep off much of the renovation activities’ grime. This will also preserve your floors from scratching, dents and other heavy equipment mishaps.
Contain the dust to the work area by hanging plastic ‘skirts’ or drop cloths on doorways.
Where possible, do cutting, sawing and sanding of wood or gypsum boards outdoors.

TELL US
Share your post-reno cleanup tips, if we missed them, in the Comments section.

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