Here’s How to Clean Up After A Major Renovation Project

5 min read

When undergoing home renovation projects, it’s easy to get caught up in the finished product. After all, by the end of the project, you’re left with a beautiful space that increases your home’s resale value.

However, most homeowners also need to remember what happens while their renovation project is still ongoing. During this time, your home becomes a big construction nightmare where dust, debris, and materials occupy the entire space. And, once all is done, your home renovation project will require significant renovation clean up in Chicago North Shore.

If you’re planning a renovation in Chicago North Shore, keep the following tips in mind to lighten your post-renovation cleanup load.

How to Minimize Cleanup During Construction

We can’t stress this enough: prevention is always better than any quick fixes you intend to implement. In this case, site preparation is vital in reducing the clutter you must clean up afterward.

Take note of the following steps you can take during construction to minimize the amount of renovation clean up in Chicago North Shore you have to deal with:

> Prep the Site

Whether you’re working with a contractor or performing this home renovation in Chicago North Shore DIY-style, it’s always a good idea to prepare your site for what’s to come.

Consider the space you’re planning to renovate while taking the surrounding areas into account. Clear the area of anything unrelated to the project. These can be anything from a chair to a cabinet to an appliance. Cover all pieces that need to be protected but cannot be moved.

> Seal Off and Isolate the Construction Site

Isolating the construction site limits the space you have to clean up once the renovation in Chicago North Shore is completed. Consider the following ways to seal off the construction zone and prevent the contamination of nearby spaces:

• Hang a heavy-duty tarp from the ceiling to the floor. Make sure to cover all areas that need to be covered. Be careful not to leave any gaps, as particles and light debris can fly through them easily, no matter how small these gaps might be. If you’re planning to perform a lot of sanding, renovation experts recommend doubling the tarp amount to ensure the area is sealed tight.
• Protect anything worth keeping. Aside from those mentioned above, it’s also important to lay a tarp or continuous paper over window treatments, floors, and kitchen islands, among others.
• Make sure all furniture is covered by a tarp or drop cloth. Even if they’re not directly inside the reno zone, they must be covered to keep them safe from dust and debris that escapes the isolation zone.
• Seal up your closets with masking tape. Place the tape on the gaps between the doors and the floor so dust particles can’t contaminate your clothes. Otherwise, you will need to rewash all of them.

> Clean the Air

Throughout the duration of your home renovation in Chicago North Shore, it’s a good idea to clear the air of any dust particles. This limits the amount of dust you have to clean up after the fact.

Vacuum the space using a unit that has a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter at the end of each work day. If you have one, run a HEPA air purifier 24/7 to ensure the air is clear of dust and smaller particles. Lastly, make sure to ventilate the space by opening the windows to keep the air flowing.

How to Clean Up After Construction

After the renovation has wrapped up, it’s time to do a deep cleaning of your home to ensure it’s free from the effects of the construction project.

Materials You Need

• A broom
• A wet-dry vacuum
• Microfiber cloth
• Plastic sheeting

Steps to Follow

• Sweep the floor, ceilings, and walls to clear away dust.
• Go back to the areas you’ve swept but this time, use a vacuum cleaner for a deeper clean.
• Mop and disinfect the floors.
• Using a microfiber cloth, wipe down all knobs, doors, baseboards, moldings, and other hardware.
• Don’t forget all the hinges, handles, knobs, shelves, and cabinets.
• Clear away dust on ducts, vents, grates, ceiling fans, blinds, and lighting fixtures.
• Check your closet to make sure debris hasn’t entered. If it did, then you will need to clean it as well.
• Dispose of any trash accumulated throughout the project.

Hire a Professional Crew Offering Post-Renovation Restoration Services

Post-renovation cleanup can be tedious and time-consuming. If you do not have the time to perform cleanup yourself, leave all the heavy lifting to Restoration 1. Our local restoration professionals are equipped with the right tools and equipment to handle all your post-renovation cleaning needs. If you require thorough deep cleaning after a renovation project, call Restoration 1 of Chicago North Shore. Get in touch with our experts today to schedule a consultation!