Your renovation is done. The contractors have left. Now you're looking at a layer of dust on everything. Construction dust is different from regular dust - it's finer, gets everywhere, and needs special attention. Here's how to tackle post-renovation cleaning.
Safety First
Construction dust can contain harmful particles. Protect yourself:
- Wear an N95 mask while cleaning
- Use safety glasses to protect eyes
- Wear gloves when handling debris
- Open windows for ventilation
- Keep kids and pets out until done
The Three-Phase Cleaning Process
Post-construction cleaning isn't a one-time job. You'll need multiple passes:
Rough Clean
Remove all large debris, leftover materials, and visible dust. This is the big stuff - drywall scraps, packaging, and heavy dust.
Detail Clean
Deep clean all surfaces. This includes wiping walls, cleaning windows, and scrubbing floors. Most of the work happens here.
Final Touch-Up
Go back through a few days later. Construction dust settles from the air, so you'll need another pass to catch what resettled.
Room-by-Room Cleaning
All Rooms
- • Start from top and work down (ceilings, walls, floors)
- • Vacuum first, then wipe (prevents spreading dust)
- • Clean light fixtures and ceiling fans
- • Wipe all walls and baseboards
- • Clean inside all closets and cabinets
- • Wipe door frames, doors, and hardware
- • Clean all windows inside and out
- • Clean electrical outlets and switch plates
Kitchen
- • Clean inside all cabinets before putting items away
- • Wipe down all appliances inside and out
- • Clean under and behind appliances
- • Degrease range hood and filters
- • Clean countertops thoroughly
- • Run empty dishwasher cycle to clear dust
Bathrooms
- • Clean inside all vanity cabinets
- • Scrub all tile and grout
- • Clean inside tub/shower completely
- • Wipe toilet inside and out
- • Clean mirrors and fixtures
- • Run water in all drains to flush debris
Cleaning Special Surfaces
Hardwood Floors
- • Vacuum with soft brush attachment
- • Do NOT wet mop until dust is gone
- • Use dry microfiber mop first
- • Then damp mop with wood cleaner
- • Check for scratches - buff if needed
Tile Floors
- • Vacuum or sweep thoroughly
- • Scrub grout lines - dust settles there
- • Mop with tile cleaner
- • May need multiple passes
- • Check grout for staining
Carpet
- • Vacuum multiple times in different directions
- • Use HEPA filter vacuum if possible
- • May need professional deep clean
- • Consider steam cleaning
- • Check for stains from work
Windows
- • Clean tracks first - dust collects there
- • Wash glass inside and out
- • Clean screens
- • Wipe frames and sills
- • Check for paint or caulk on glass
Don't Forget the HVAC
Construction dust gets into your AC system. This is critical in Florida:
- Replace AC filter - Use a new filter. The old one is full of construction dust.
- Clean all vents and returns - Remove covers and wash them. Vacuum inside ducts.
- Consider duct cleaning - If renovation was major, have ducts professionally cleaned.
- Run system - Let AC run for several hours to circulate and filter air.
Removing Stubborn Residue
Paint Splatters
For dried latex paint on hard surfaces: apply rubbing alcohol, let sit, then scrape gently with plastic scraper. For glass, use a razor blade at a 45-degree angle.
Drywall Dust
This fine dust is the hardest to remove. Vacuum first (don't sweep - it just spreads). Then damp wipe. You may need multiple passes over several days.
Adhesive Residue
Use Goo Gone or rubbing alcohol. Apply, let sit, then wipe. Test on hidden area first to ensure it won't damage the surface.
Grout Haze
New tile often has a cloudy film from grout. Use grout haze remover or white vinegar solution. Don't let it dry on tile.
Cleaning Timeline
Day 1-2: Rough Clean
Remove debris, initial vacuuming, wipe major surfaces
Day 3-4: Detail Clean
Deep clean all surfaces, windows, cabinets, appliances
Day 5-7: Wait Period
Let dust settle from air while running HVAC
Day 8-10: Final Clean
Touch up all surfaces, final vacuum, polish
Let Us Handle Post-Construction Cleaning
Post-renovation cleaning is a big job. Our post-construction cleaning service handles all the dust and debris so you can enjoy your newly renovated home.