The contractor has packed up their tools, the final coat of paint has dried, and your beautiful, fresh, new open-concept kitchen is finally finished. But is it really that fresh? In this blog, we will explain why post-renovation cleaning is a must once the contractor has left the building.
What is post-renovation cleaning?
Home renovation cleanup is a specialized process that ensures the dust, debris, and residue following a renovation are completely removed. It often includes, but is not limited to, tasks such as:
- Sanitizing surfaces to remove chemical residue and germs left behind by workers.
- Duct cleaning to remove pollutants to prevent recirculation in the air.
- Removing sticky substances from drips such as adhesives, sealants, varnish, etc.
- Floor-to-ceiling dusting, including walls, window sills, and baseboards.
- Vacuuming with a professional-grade HEPA filter vacuum.
- Cleaning and polishing newly installed fixtures.
Post-Renovation Cleaning Reduces VOCs
Volatile organic compounds, or VOCs, are chemicals found in manufactured products, including the materials used to furnish your home and the finishes used during renovation and decorating, such as paints, flooring, and adhesives.
VOCs have a high vapour pressure, meaning that they release gases easily. Known as “off-gassing,” when the solvents reach room temperature, they can produce dangerous concentrations of hazardous pollutants that can make you sick.
A home renovation cleanup removes the dust and particles containing VOCs from the surfaces in your home. It also reduces airborne VOCs that can resettle after a basic cleaning process. Removing VOCs improves the air quality in your home, decreasing odours, dust, and irritants so you can breathe easily in your new space.
Post-Renovation Cleaning Avoids Injury
With all those particles hanging around in your home, your family is at risk of minor injuries. Something as simple as stepping on a splinter of wood, glass, or metal, or touching a surface with fine particles of irritants such as fibreglass, can lodge foreign objects in the skin.
This type of injury is not just an inconvenience. Splinters can become quite painful, and the smaller the object, the more serious the injury can be. Not being able to see what is causing the discomfort makes it difficult to remove, which, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to infection.
A home renovation cleanup removes even the smallest debris, ensuring no one is subjected to the pain, annoyance, and potential infection of a splinter.
Post-Renovation Cleaning Protects Pets
Your fur babies are also in danger of illness or injury following a renovation. As mentioned above, splinters and debris put family members at risk. Your four-legged pals tend to be a little more curious when they discover debris. As a result, they can encounter toxic materials or step on or swallow foreign objects.
For example, if your pet steps on a splinter that becomes lodged in their paw, their instinct is to chew on the object to remove it. If the splinter gets stuck in their mouth or throat or is swallowed, it can lead to internal issues.
Pets can also inadvertently absorb toxins left on surfaces through their skin. All of these scenarios are bad news for your pet. A professional cleaning will reduce risks and protect your pet from illness and injury.
Post-Renovation Cleaning Gets Hard-to-Reach Spots
Professional cleaning ensures all those hard-to-reach spots are thoroughly cleaned. High vents, light fixtures, ceilings, the top of cabinets and shelves, above your fridge, etc., are all areas that collect fine particles containing VOCs.
Home renovation cleanups ensure all the dust is removed from every surface, including areas you might overlook or that are difficult to get at without the proper equipment.
Post-Renovation Cleaning Protects You From Harmful Substances
Although you can try to tackle a home renovation cleanup on your own, you likely don’t have access to proper personal protection and cleaning equipment. As a result, you can expose yourself to harmful substances without even realizing it.
For example, you might choose a cleaning solution that causes a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with residue from certain solvents or cleaning agents used by the contractor. This can either cause an immediate reaction that releases harmful fumes, causing you to choke or experience issues such as coughing, runny nose, or burning eyes, or a delayed reaction with a slow release similar to VOCs.
A professional cleaning company will use the proper protective equipment, cleaning solutions, and tools to safely clean your home, protecting themselves and your family from exposure to harmful substances and debris.
Post-Renovation Cleaning Uses a Proven Cleaning Strategy
Professional cleaning companies use a proven home renovation cleanup strategy to ensure your home is safe. Common post-renovation cleaning plans include the following:
- Dusting using microfiber cloths to collect debris instead of moving it around or releasing it into the air.
- Vacuuming using a HEPA filter vacuum to collect tiny particles that degrade indoor air quality.
- Safely removing construction substances such as paint, varnish, adhesives, and solvents.
- Cleaning all appliances inside and out.
- Cleaning windows, including the removal of stickers from newly installed windows and dusting new window sills and frames.
- Polishing mirrors to remove invisible residue using a lint-free, smudge-resistant cloth and cleaner.
- Identifying potential hazards by using a non-toxic cleaning solution to avoid chemical reactions.
Post-Renovation Cleaning Uses Specialty Cleaning Processes
Renovations can leave behind odours, release VOCs, spread germs, cause mould and mildew, and release allergens in the air. Specialty cleaning services such as GermBlasters use an EPA-registered hospital disinfectant that won’t release VOCs, is 100% biodegradable, and doesn’t require rinsing.
The special cleaning method is also odourless and will kill germs, bacteria, mould, and mildew yet is safe for pets and humans. It also eliminates allergens left behind from renovations and is an effective cleaner for HVAC and air ducts.
Reach Out to the Cleaning Experts at Maid4Condos
A post-renovation cleaning allows you to enjoy your new living space without the worry of potential health risks. Professional cleaners will complete the job thoroughly and safely.
To learn more about Maid4Condos’ GTA and Scarborough post-renovation cleaning services, call us at 647-822-0601 or contact us online. You can also click here for a free online quote.
Sources:
- https://totalcleanz.com/how-to-get-rid-of-paint-and-chemical-smells-after-remodelling/#:~:text=Air%20purifiers%20with%20activated%20carbon,can%20help%20eliminate%20lingering%20odours.
- https://www.painterkamloops.com/a-guide-to-pet-safety-during-home-renovations-and-remodeling#:~:text=Nails%20or%20wood%20chips%2C%20as,possible%20to%20provide%20first%20aid.
- https://www.skokie.org/1023/Dangers-of-Mixing-Household-Chemical-Cle#:~:text=Bleach%20+%20Vinegar%20=%20Chlorine%20gas.,website%20for%20more%20safety%20information.
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