If you’ve recently had a home renovation, you may be experiencing some dust and debris that needs to be cleaned up. When it comes to construction sites, you can expect high levels of dust particles due to the drywall sanding process.
These types of particles are very harmful to your health as they settle in your throat and lungs and cause respiratory problems. In this article, we will guide you through the steps needed to clean up after a recent construction project so that your home is safe from any hazards caused by a new home renovation!
Is post construction cleaning hard?
Most cleaning after renovation work or remodeling work is similar to regular cleaning routines (except for the amount of dust). The work can become more intense and may require special tools such as dry vacuums, industrial floor polisher, and a dry floor vacuum.
You can rent most construction cleaning products from your local hardware store but considering your cost and labor it might be more affordable and time-efficient to ask an expert cleaning company to clean it for you.
However, it is entirely possible to clean up yourself after a home improvement project.
Post construction cleaning PPE
PPE represents a kind of personal protection device or wearables that are used to protect you from the elements surrounding your home from construction dust and dirt.
Contractors may leave behind nails, glass, or other sharp objects that might be dangerous around the home. During construction work clean up, always wear closed-toe shoes on your feet. Dust masks will protect your lungs while you’re at work and protective eyewear will minimize discomfort from dust or splints.
The best way to clean up the dust around your house is to do it safely and with care. A home renovation is an extensive process that ensures collecting dust on walls, floors, light fixtures, and in all air ducts in the surrounding area.
The last thing you want to do is breathe that in and cause potentially harmful injuries to yourself.
How do I clean my house after removing tile?
Some people think of watering up the tiled surface with warm water as being a good way to remove building materials dust. The assumption here is that dust gets settled onto grouts and the grout hardens. Avoid using sponges as they can be so porous that a sponge can be missing parts of the dirt. And all you’re doing is wasting precious energy.
Make a circular motion to avoid dust accumulation on the track and grout. It is necessary to wipe and dry the tiles by wiping them with a dry soft microfiber cloth for a glistening floor.
Ledges + baseboards
A great way to get the dust off ledges and baseboards is to wipe with used dryer sheets. Wash your ledges dry with a dryer sheet on the bottom boards. Norwex dusting rag is another option for removing dirt from ledges. They really work well and are very pleasant to the environment. Even after you have finished your remodel you may want to keep cleaning with the Norwex damping cloth (or a similar product).
How do I get the dust out of my house after remodeling?
The general idea is to start cleaning at the furthest location from the front door and work from the backside up to the bottom of the room. This way you can always put dust and dirt outside instead of moving things too much and create more debris.
The first step can use a fine sweeping broom and gently clean each room as you see fit. If it’s particularly bad, plan on wearing a good quality dust jacket while you are working. A light splash of water can easily remove dust. A wet/dry vacuum is great to collect loose dust as well. Look for cleaning products in the local hardware store or even a nearby grocery store.
Wipe and polish furniture and hard surfaces
Wipe all surfaces, starting from the highest points, and then make your way down. Clean bookshelves and cabinet shelves as they are usually the taller items in a room. Don’t forget the windowsills and frames, the windows and doors, and finally, the handle and knobs.
Try and finish, utilizing wall-to-wall mops and polishing on solid floors and tile.
Changing the air conditioner filter ensures optimum indoor air hygiene and reduces dust pollution. Be sure to also check the condition of any hardwood floors after cleaning. You never know when you might have missed a small spot and it’s best to be safe rather than sorry.
Also, you can vacuum out or clean the air conditioner filter to get rid of dust and improve air quality in the home.
Carpets and rugs
Any water that has been mixed with construction dust can cause mud to build up and track through the house. This may endanger the carpet in the end or destroy the padding of the carpet. Make sure you use a strong vacuum with new filters to maintain air flow.
You can use furniture attachments on the vacuum, like a brush to pick up dust and the vacuum will collect it much more easily.
How do you clean walls after remodeling?
Wipe off walls with a wet microfiber cloth and then dry them off with a dry one. Again, make sure you take care of all surfaces, starting from high points and working your way down.
How do I clean drywall and plaster dust?
First, use a broom to brush all the particles off the walls (the best way you can). Then, use a damp towel to gently wipe off dust and dirt. It may take several applications to pick up all the dirt and any white residue or dullness. This can take some time to get all the white particles away from wooden or tile surfaces.
If using a vinegar solution, remove the solution of vinegar water after cleaning up the dust to prevent recontamination. Use a bucket of clean water to rinse away the paste residue from your mop or sponge. Multiple towels or rags may be needed for this whole process, so be prepared!
For walls whose color has recently been altered, be sure not to use something damp that may hurt the colors. Let the wall sit for a little over 30 days before cleaning.
How do you get rid of construction dust in the air?
Check + Replace Air Filters
Check the air filters often and replace them when necessary. During construction, there may be the option to change every week. This would also help remove the trapped dust that accumulated in the filters.
Don’t forget about the ducts
For more serious air problems, don’t forget to check the ducts. This will remove any dust that is trapped inside of the ductwork towards your home’s heating and cooling system.
Check for possible leaks in vents as well when you turn on a fan. Any type of equipment can cause these problems if they are not maintained properly maintained.
Final Thoughts
Taking your home back from construction dust and any other related mess is not an impossible task if the proper preparation (to save time) is made. A dust free home is only a few carefully planned steps away and then all that is left is for you to enjoy your professional home renovation.
