How to Clean After Construction

If you've recently had a renovation done on your house, you probably have a huge mess to deal with. Take a deep breath, and work step-by-step. Start by tackling any large debris left behind and cleaning up any spills you see. Then, take on the dust by vacuuming thoroughly and wiping down walls, surfaces, and fixtures.

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Taking on the Large Debris

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1
Gather tools and leftover materials into one place. Once you've gathered everything, figure out what you want to keep and what you want to get rid of. Put away what you want to keep, and donate or discard what you don't want to keep.
- If you need to toss items, make sure to read the back of the can on things like paint and chemicals. Often, you'll need to take these items to a hazardous waste disposal center instead of just tossing them.
2
Rent a dumpster. To make it easier on yourself, consider renting a dumpster to get rid of your large trash. You can often rent one from your city, though many companies rent them, too. They'll place the dumpster in your front yard, and then haul it away when you're done taking your trash to it.
- If you're not sure what size to order, talk to the company you're renting from. They can usually suggest a size based on what kind of project you're doing.
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Carry any debris left behind out to your dumpster. Use the walk-in door if possible, as it is much easier than trying to throw it over the edge. Carry heavy items with a dolly or the help of a friend.
Even if you get the correct size, space is going to be at a premium in your dumpster. Make sure to load container-like items, such as bathtubs, facing upward so you can put stuff in them. Place long pieces lengthwise in the dumpster, and tuck smaller items around larger items so you're not wasting space.

Part 2

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Cleaning up Spills and Small Debris

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1
Apply rubbing alcohol to a dry latex paint spill on tile or linoleum. Pour rubbing alcohol onto the spill in a puddle. Leave it to soak in for 30 minutes. Once it's had time to soak, wipe up the spill using paper towels, scrubbing gently over the paint. It should come right up.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Test the rubbing alcohol first on an inconspicuous corner if you have tile.
2
Use a citrus-based cleaner on wood. If you have a dried paint spill on wood, apply a citrus-based cleaner such as Goo Gone. Let it soak for a minute or 2, and then use a gentle brush on it. You may need to reapply it several times.
- Don't let it soak too long, as the cleaner could stain the floor.
- Don't use an abrasive brush or scraper, as you can damage the wood.
3
Pick paint off of carpet. With carpet, try using a scrubbing brush to flake the paint off the carpet, and then vacuum the paint off. You may also be able to use needle-nose pliers to pull out clumps. If all else fails, try cutting the carpet with scissors right at the top where the splatter is.
- Chemicals that remove paint will likely cause damage to your carpet, but you can try them in a hidden corner first. If they don't cause damage, you can use them to remove paint.
4
Use a magnetic sweeper to pick up nails. If you know you have metal debris, such as nails, bolts, or even metal shavings, try renting or buying a magnetic sweeper. You just roll the sweeper over the area, and it attracts any metal debris with a magnet. Then, you pull up on the handle on top of the sweeper head to release the metal pieces into the trash.^{[2]XResearch source}
- It's a good idea to put these items in a solid container if you plan on throwing them away.
5
Remove broken glass. If you have any broken glass, start by carefully picking up the large pieces. Wear protective gloves for this task. Then, for smaller pieces, try cutting a potato in half. Press the cut side into the glass to pick up little shards. Sweep up anything that remains.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Place any broken glass in a solid container, such as a coffee can, before putting it in the trash.^{[4]XResearch source}
If you need to scrub down an area that's going to take a lot of work because of construction dirt or debris, try getting a brush attachment for your drill. That way, the drill can do the majority of the scrubbing for you.

Part 3

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Dealing with the Dust

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If you have a lot of dust, consider putting on a dust mask. Also, goggles will keep anything from getting into your eyes, including fine dust.
While you're cleaning, place a box fan in a window facing outward. Turn it on, so that when you stir up dust, you blow it outside instead of keeping it in the room.^{[5]XResearch source}
To take on construction dust, a shop vac with a fine dust bag is the best option. It keeps dust from being blown back into the room from the bag, which can happen with a home vacuum. You can rent or buy a shop vac at local home improvement stores.^{[6]XResearch source}
Suck up as much dust as you can in the first go-round with a shop-vac. You'll need to vacuum more later, but you want to remove the majority of the dust from the floor so you're not spreading it around.^{[7]XExpert SourcePerryn Olson
Construction SpecialistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.}^{[8]XResearch source}
5
Wipe down the walls. For new paint, a simple dusting with an extended duster will do. For old paint, you may need to wipe the walls down with a wet rag or an extended mop.^{[9]XExpert SourcePerryn Olson
Construction SpecialistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.} Basically, you want to get as much of the dust off the walls as you can.^{[10]XResearch source}
- For textured wallpaper, you'll need to use a vacuum attachment to vacuum the dust off.
- Be sure to get the ceiling and baseboards, too.^{[11]XResearch source}
Wipe down ceiling fan blades, and thoroughly clean light fixtures. You may need to take down the light fixtures to clean them thoroughly. Use a glass cleaner for any glass-based parts to get them sparkling.^{[12]XResearch source}
If the air vents weren't covered for construction, you'll need to clean them now. Take the vents off by unscrewing them, and then wipe down both sides with a damp rag. If they're particularly dirty, you may need to clean them with warm, soapy water.^{[13]XResearch source}
Any furniture that stayed in the house needs to be vacuumed, even if it was covered. With the upholstery attachment on your vacuum cleaner, go over your furniture to remove dust.^{[14]XResearch source}
Dust is likely on any shelves, countertops, and knickknacks that were exposed. Wipe them all down with a damp rag to remove dust.^{[15]XExpert SourcePerryn Olson
Construction SpecialistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.} If they're especially dirty, use a gentle cleaner.^{[16]XResearch source}
Whether you have carpet or hard floors, you'll need to vacuum multiple times. It's going to take several passes to get up all the dust, especially on carpet.^{[17]XResearch source}
Once you've gotten up as much dust as you can, mop the floor to get up the rest of the dust.^{[18]XExpert SourcePerryn Olson
Construction SpecialistExpert Interview. 3 August 2021.} You may need to mop more than once to make sure you get it all.^{[19]XResearch source}
Once you're done stirring up dust, it's a good idea to change your air filter. That way, you can start fresh, and your filter won't be clogged with all that construction dust.^{[20]XResearch source}

Expert Q&A

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Question
Should contractor clean up after themselves?
Perryn Olson
Construction Specialist
Perryn Olson is a Construction Specialist and the VP of Marketing for REX Construction Services, REX Engineering Group, and REX Technology Solutions. He holds a BA in Visual Arts from Loyola University New Orleans and is a Certified Marketer with the Society of Marketing Professional Services and the Construction Marketing Association.
Perryn Olson
Construction Specialist
Expert Answer
Absolutely! You need to pick up all your equipment and unused materials, unless you're contracted to leave them with the owner.
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Question
Is post construction cleaning hard?
Perryn Olson
Construction Specialist
Perryn Olson is a Construction Specialist and the VP of Marketing for REX Construction Services, REX Engineering Group, and REX Technology Solutions. He holds a BA in Visual Arts from Loyola University New Orleans and is a Certified Marketer with the Society of Marketing Professional Services and the Construction Marketing Association.
Perryn Olson
Construction Specialist
Expert Answer
It's not necessarily hard, but it's definitely time-consuming. Post-construction clean-up usually involves sweeping, vacuuming, mopping floors, cleaning walls, cleaning windows, and cleaning fixtures.
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Question
Are contractors responsible for cleaning?
Perryn Olson
Construction Specialist
Perryn Olson is a Construction Specialist and the VP of Marketing for REX Construction Services, REX Engineering Group, and REX Technology Solutions. He holds a BA in Visual Arts from Loyola University New Orleans and is a Certified Marketer with the Society of Marketing Professional Services and the Construction Marketing Association.
Perryn Olson
Construction Specialist
Expert Answer
Yes, but you can subcontract your cleaning to a cleaning company that offers construction, jobsite, and disaster clean-up services. This is especially helpful for larger jobs!
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