From Chaos to Clean: How to Tackle Post-Renovation Cleaning

written by: Terry Stevens

Published: April 24, 2023
Updated: June 23, 2024

reading time:  minutes

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Renovating a home can be frustrating, but the results make it all worth it. When renovating, there are many factors to consider, one of which is cleaning after the work is complete.  Post-renovation cleaning can be time-consuming, so it’s important to factor it into your renovation plans. Although it may seem daunting initially, with the right methods and tips, you can make your home spotless in no time.

Planning Your Renovation

Before diving into any renovation project, it's crucial to start with a clear plan and a detailed construction cost estimate. This estimate should cover all expenses, including those you might not immediately consider, such as post-renovation cleaning. Understanding the full financial scope of your renovation from the outset will help you allocate your budget more effectively and avoid unexpected costs.

Post-renovation cleaning: Organizing is key

Before starting the post-renovation cleaning, plan your approach for each room. This foresight will help you estimate the time needed to complete the cleaning process. It’s advisable to allocate at least one day to thoroughly clean your home, allowing you to relax afterward. If time is tight, consider making arrangements for meal delivery during breaks. Additionally, ensure you have all the necessary cleaning supplies before you begin. There’s nothing worse than starting to clean and discovering you’re missing essential items.

A person sweeping their floors

The floors and lighting fixtures are just some of the things you'll need to clean in every room.

Write a checklist of each task you’ll need to do when cleaning up after renovations. For example, write down each area or item category in your home that you will need to clean. Floors and lighting fixtures are just some of the things you’ll need to clean well in each room. Besides these, the windows and doors of each room will most likely need to be tackled, too. Most linens that haven’t been put away, such as curtains and carpets, will require some work. Vacuum them and wash them in the washing machine if you can. When making a checklist, don’t forget that the outside of your home will also need some work. Your home's walkway will probably need some work, as well as your porch, if you have one.

Consider the foot traffic in your home

There’s no use in cleaning a home without creating a plan first. As you move from one area of your home to the next, you will bring dust. That’s why it’s crucial to take a good look at the floor plan of your home and think strategically. Otherwise, all of your efforts will go to waste. One way to organize the process is to start with the rooms with the lowest foot traffic. This can be your laundry room, guest room, etc. Completing one entire room will give you the motivation you need to continue on the rest of your home. Another way is to start with your kitchen and move onto the hallways and the bathroom. These rooms are used the most in every home, so getting this out of the way will make your life easier until you finish the cleanup.

A woman cleaning her home after renovations

When doing post-renovation cleaning, it's important to come up with a plan before you begin

Clean the furniture in your home thoroughly

It’s important to clean the furniture in your home as soon as possible. Otherwise, the dust and dirt may settle in and be more difficult to remove later. Start by dusting the higher areas in your home, such as shelves. You may think that they can be skipped, but as dust gets in the air, it can settle even in the highest areas in your home. If you clean from the bottom up, the dust will fall again on the floor. That will make post-renovation cleaning that much more frustrating.

As for the upholstered furniture, it can be a little trickier to clean after renovations. If you covered it with protective covers, you saved yourself from a lot of work. But if you missed this step when preparing for renovations, you will have to give your upholstered furniture a deep clean. If this seems like too much, you can always hire professionals to do it for you. Vacuum or brush the upholstered furniture first. Afterward, continue the cleaning process by using a commercial fabric cleaner or making your own.

Use storage to your advantage

During renovations, there’s a chance that some things in your home will get damaged accidentally. That’s why your most valuable items deserve to be kept safe in a storage unit. Not only will they be safe, but you’ll also have fewer things to clean once the renovations are done. In addition, you won’t feel as stressed as you may have been if you hadn’t moved your most precious items into storage. You can take all the time you need to clean your home and bring your items back once you’re done. Make sure to find the ideal solution for your storage needs before renting it. Another pro to using storage when renovating your home is that you may find a new way to organize your things. All things considered, storage is must-have when renovating any area of your home.

When doing post-renovation cleaning, tackle the windows like the person in the photo

Clean every area of your home, including the windows and doors

Clean every area of your home, including the windows and doors.Alt-tag: When doing post-renovation cleaning, tackle the windows like the person in the photo.

Pay extra attention to the kitchen and bathroom

You may need to put more energy into cleaning the bathroom and the kitchen. These are the areas that need to be as clean as possible in every home. During renovations, they can be completely turned upside down. It can be challenging to live in your home when renovating the bathroom and the kitchen. Therefore, do your best to clean these areas as soon as possible so that you can return to your daily routine.

In the kitchen, start cleaning by dusting the cupboards and surface areas. However, once you are done with the dusting, take extra time to disinfect the surfaces. Now, you can safely prepare food in a sparkling clean kitchen. Don’t forget to air out these rooms, as the smell of paint or materials can make it difficult to spend time here. Fresh flowers or air fresheners are a good idea in both of these areas.

A person cleaning a mirror in a bathroom

Pay extra attention when cleaning the bathroom and the kitchen after renovations

In summary

Once you are done with the post-renovation cleaning, you can finally relax and enjoy your freshly-renovated home. With these methods, you’ll be able to finish the cleaning process in the most efficient way possible. You will ensure your items are safe and clean by putting your things into storage, creating a plan, and tackling all areas of your home. Once you finish the cleaning, do a final walkthrough of your home. Make sure that you don’t skip any spots during the cleaning process. In addition, you’ll see the result of your efforts and the final look after renovations.


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About the author 

Terry Stevens

The owner and founder of Sparkle and Shine. He is a seasoned professional in the home services industry with a decade of experience. He is dedicated to providing top-notch services for residential and commercial properties and has a wealth of knowledge to share on topics such as tips, tricks, industry trends, and the importance of loving your space.