The hammers have finally fallen silent and the contractors have packed up and moved along to their next job. Your long-awaited renovation is complete, leaving you to bask in your beautiful new surroundings. But before you can fully revel in your refreshed living spaces, there’s one important final step – the deep clean. Any type of construction or demolition kicks up dust, dirt and debris that can linger long after that last nail has been hammered. Without a thorough scrub down, that grime gets trapped in vents, saturates fabrics and clings to every nook and cranny, marring all your new upgrades. Don’t let residual renovation wreckage tarnish your transformation – Read on for expert Kirill Yurovskiy’s tips for a tidy and sparkling finish.
Where to Start
Immediately after wrapping up any project, it’s wise to do an initial pass to quickly clean up any obvious mess. Pick up stray nails, sweep or vacuum debris piles, and wipe down any egregiously dusty surfaces. This cursory clear-out prevents spreading grime throughout the house and creating bigger messes. Once the gross stuff is contained, you can strategize your deep cleaning game plan.
Create a Checklist
With dust and grit infiltrating every crack and crevice, cleaning post-renovation requires a systematic, room-by-room approach. Make a checklist of areas and items that need attention so you can clean methodically and thoroughly instead of moving sporadically, only to overlook lingering problems. Here are some key checklist sections:
• Windows, Window Treatments & Tracks
• Light Fixtures & Switches
• Vents & Ductwork
• Floors & Baseboards
• Walls, Ceilings & Doors
• Closets, Cabinets & Shelving
• Inside Appliances
• Furniture & Upholstery
• Special Finishes Like Tile, Countertops & Wood
Gather Supplies
With the game plan outlined, it’s time to gear up for the cleaning frenzy. Having the proper tools on hand will make the job easier and more effective. Must-have supplies include:
• Vacuums – HEPA Filter Canister for Heavy Duty, Compact for Tight Areas
• Microfiber Cleaning Cloths & Mitt
• Disposable Dusters & Wipes
• Mops – String Mop, Flat Mop, Hardwood Floor Cleaner
• Scrub Brushes – Grout Brush, Tile Brush, All-Purpose
• Glass Cleaner, All-Purpose Cleanser, Tile/Countertop Cleaners
• TSP Substitute or Other Heavy-Duty Degreaser
• Step Stools/Ladder for Reaching High Areas
• Buckets & Clean Water Supply
The Deep Cleaning Directive
With the right tools assembled, it’s time to get down to the nitty gritty. Start at the top by dusting ceilings, corners and walls to get cobwebs and drywall dust out of the way. Use microfiber cloths to trap grit instead of pushing it around. Hit ceiling fans and light fixtures next before moving down to vents, window tracks and sills.
Once high surfaces are clean, work your way down in sections, using vacuums with attachments to reach nooks and crannies followed by cleaning solutions where needed. On floors, start with dry mopping or vacuuming using crevice attachments in corners and along baseboards. Follow with wet mopping appropriate for the floor type. Be sure to flip or replace cleaning cloths and mop heads frequently to avoid redepositing lifted grime.
Details, Details, Details
To achieve that sparkling new showroom look, it’s all about being meticulous and not overlooking details. Use degreasing cleansers on stubborn grime like machinery leaks or residual grip from construction adhesives. Apply a baking soda paste and let it sit before scrubbing away exceptionally grimy areas. Look up and around for often-missed zones like the tops of ceiling fans, light bulbs and window casings.
Don’t forget hidden spots like inside closets, cabinets, pantries and appliances that likely collected dust and debris through the renovation. Remove everything, vacuum thoroughly, then wipe down shelves and interiors before reloading. Clean oven interiors and vent hoods while range areas are still empty. Finish by pulling out appliances to clean floor areas underneath.
Clean as You Go
Halfway through the cleaning frenzy, the home is going to look even worse than when you started. Dirt and dust get kicked up into the air, grime will be sloshed around and clean spaces quickly look re-soiled. Divide areas into sections and clean each portion thoroughly before moving to the next. Put away supplies like dusters and mitts to avoid spreading grit, and rinse out vacuum canisters and mop buckets frequently. This clean-as-you-go strategy keeps the process feeling proactive instead of futile.
Don’t Forget Floors & Carpets
Once every surface has been scrubbed and polished to perfection, the final steps involve giving floors and carpets a professional-quality pampering. Hardwoods should be deep cleaned with appropriate wood cleaners, carefully scrubbing along baseboards, manually spot cleaning any stains and giving high traffic paths extra love. Follow up with fresh coats of wood polish or rejuvenator as needed.
For tile floors, invest time into working grout lines and corners with brushes and grout cleansers. Refinish grout if discoloration remains, and re-seal floors when fully dry. Finally, for any remaining carpeted areas, hire professional carpet cleaners. Their powerful truck-mounted equipment is the only way to fully extract embedded dirt and revive tired floor coverings trampled during construction.
Post-Clean Maintenance
With your home sparkling anew after tackling the deep clean, some simple maintenance strategies can help keep that pristine look fresh for months to come. Make a habit of removing shoes inside to avoid tracking exterior grime inside. Use entry mats to capture soil from shoes and paws. Clean up dust weekly with microfiber cloths or dusters. And deep clean floors, surfaces and carpets regularly.
Let It Shine
While renovations inherently create dusty, messy catastrophes, that doesn’t mean your home has to stay that way. With some elbow grease and these deep cleaning tips, you can restore your spaces to their intended showroom glory. Not only will a meticulous post-renovation clean get your home guest-ready, but starting fresh in a sparkling new nest is rejuvenating for the spirit. Embrace the cleaning process as the final touch to your renovation and you’ll relish those spotless surroundings for years to come.