Remodeling Cleanup Checklist
After a major renovation that sometimes requires taking everything out of your home, you can probably skip a few steps. BUT, if your furniture was pushed into a pile and covered with plastic — as we often find happens in these situations — you may need to get a bit more involved. Here’s a quick checklist to help you navigate such a remodeling cleanup scenario.
Clean the walls and the molding. If they were painted, stick to dry dusting. If you kept the old paint, gently wipe them down with a damp towel. Wrap the towel around a broom or extension duster to reach high places. For textured wallpaper or material like grasscloth, vacuum them with the brush attachment. Always make sure to spot check first. Just a little extra thing that needs to be done specifically for remodeling cleanup.
Vacuum
Vacuum. And Vacuum again. If your floors are carpeted, go over them a few times. If they’re hard floors (tile, linoleum, wood) follow your vacuuming with a quick mopping or a Swiffer quick mop.
Also include any fabric window treatments or accessories.
Take and clean light fixtures, except if new ones were added. If you have a ceiling fan, dust and wipe the blades.
• Clean your vents with warm, soapy water.
• Use a damp rag to wipe down wood or metal furniture, knickknacks, and any other miscellaneous items.
• Change the air filters in your home. Painters sometimes remove filters while painting, and may forget to replace them.
A missing filter could damage your furnace and cost you a lot of money. If your filter stayed up during construction, put in a new one.
Deciding to Hire a Professional Cleaning Service
Cleaning up after a remodel can be time consuming and expensive. You can save yourself a lot of time and headache by hiring a professional. Also construction debris left behind can be dangerous to your health, so always wear a mask when cleaning as well as eye protection. Unless you have had experience doing this before or are an avid “Do-it-Yourself” type of person, it’s always in the best interest of yourself and your family to get a professional cleaning service.
