Renovating a house is a mammoth task. Whether you are simply installing a new kitchen or overhauling the entire home, you’re going to have quite the task at hand. The rewards are fantastic, but there’s definitely a bit of effort involved.
One of the hardest parts of the renovation is the end part – clearing up! You’ve got your new home, but it’s a total mess! Luckily for you, we’ve compiled a list of the top tips for cleaning up after a renovation. These tips are brought to you from home renovation professionals and from personal experience. So, if you’ve reached the finish line of your renovation and need the final push, read on to find out exactly what you need to do.
Home Renovation Is Awesome
Before we get to the dirty work, let’s talk about how awesome renovating a house can be. Of course, it’s hard work, we know that. But, the rewards far outweigh the hard work you will have put in. Some of the best homes have been completely renovated from their former selves. Picture it now, your old home with a total refresh.
Some of the most exciting renovations come with the restructuring of room shapes, new kitchens, and sparkling new bathrooms. Whether you’re going to rip your house out to its shell and rebuild from there or just tackle one room, you’ll definitely be happy you did it. The results can be fantastic! Whatever you decide to do to your home, we’re sure it’ll be amazing. And, if you’re left with a huge cleanup, it’s ok! We can help you sort that.
Removing Rubble
One of the biggest factors of big renovation projects that you’ll have to deal with is rubble. If you’re removing walls, moving doors, installing new windows, or just building a new kitchen counter, there will be discarded materials to clear. Often, the easiest way to do this sort of clearing up is with a skip.
Most skip companies allow all household materials to be put in their skips, meaning any wood, brick, concrete or other hard materials can be placed in there. Hire a skip, fill it to the brim, then have it collected. This may cost a little bit and therefore should be factored into the overall cost of your renovation.
Clearing Up The Rubbish
There will be other forms of rubbish to deal with too. Again, hiring a rubbish removal company can be your best bet. Some companies will deal with everything, from bags of garden waste to recyclables, household materials to electronics. Whether you can get it all in the skip bin or in bags, a good company can help you deal with all your waste disposal needs.
You may think these sorts of companies are aimed at contractors only. While they do offer their services to large companies and corporations, they are also available to individuals like you. Just because you are not necessarily a tradesperson, doesn’t mean you can’t get hold of the best waste removal companies to help you deal with your renovation materials. Reach out to a local company today, you are likely to receive a free no-obligation quotation for their work. Then, you can decide if this is right for you.
Dealing With Dust
Anyone who has done any kind of construction work will tell you that one of the biggest issues with renovations and building is dust. Dust gets everywhere! The problem is worst when you are coming towards the end of your renovation project. For example, you’ve finished the upstairs parts of the house but are still doing work in the downstairs areas. This leads to dust travelling and coating all of your finished work.
The first task here is to cover important items and surfaces in dust sheets during the renovation. This will prevent the worst of the dust from coating your most prized possessions. After the work is complete, it’s time to vacuum surfaces that have become coated in dust. Then, use a standard duster to get into those hard-to-reach corners. After the dust is dealt with, you can move onto the next step.
Cleaning Important Surfaces
You have probably installed plenty of new surfaces in your home just to watch them get covered in dust, paint, and building materials. Don’t worry – this can all be sorted. Once you have dealt with the dust, you can assess any other issues. In the case of a surface that just needs a good wipe down, there are a few options depending on the type of material. For non-porous materials, a simple household surface cleaner will do the job nicely – there’s no need to splash out on extra-strength cleaners or anything like that.
If any of your surfaces have paint on them, it can be a little trickier, especially if we are talking about wooden floors. In this case, you may need a spirit-based cleaner. However, it is recommended that you use this sparingly and patiently. When the paint is lifting, switch to a simple soap-based cleaner and, again, use it sparingly. Ensure all surfaces are properly dried before finishing up.
What About Carpets?
In theory, your carpets have been protected by dust sheets. In practice, the protection often isn’t as good as you think it is. If your carpets have trodden-in dirt and grime, there’s only one real solution, hiring a carpet cleaner. Carpet cleaners look much like vacuums but they wash your carpets with water whilst also sucking the dirty water back up into a canister. You’ll be amazed as you watch the color of the water change from clear to a murky grey-brown. Don’t worry though, that means the tool is doing its job. A couple of passes on any normal carpet will completely remove dirt and even most stains from a carpet, leaving you with a completely clean home to move into!
Once the cleaning is done, you can put everything back in its proper place and start to enjoy your newly renovated home. Though this task may not be quick, it will certainly be easier than you think when you use the right companies and tools. Before you know it, you’ll be laying back on the sofa in your new living room revelling in the glory of your new-look home.