Stepping into a brand-new building or recently renovated space is an incredible feeling, but what people will not tell you is that after construction services are complete, the place can be a complete disaster.
As much as construction crews try to keep everything as clean as possible while trekking in and out of buildings during work, it is nearly impossible to prevent dust from settling. They may pick up all their trash and keep mud off the carpets, but thorough cleanliness can often be overlooked.
MSNW’s special services staff is well-versed in post-construction clean-up. We know it can be a daunting task, so we want to provide some insight into our professional construction cleaning process. You may be comfortable doing some tasks on your own but find other tasks are better for a professional to handle.
Safety.
Plan to wear an N95 mask or equivalent to filter out leftover dust. Depending on what is left over from construction, be cautiously aware of your surroundings. You never know what might have accidentally been left behind that could be dangerous. Even a loose screw on the floor, however small, is a hazard.
Getting started.
Create airflow by opening windows. Dust has a place to exit through the windows and any paint or other fumes from construction will dissipate faster. Check for damage right away so you can get the construction team back in to make any necessary fixes before unintentionally cleaning twice.
Wiping Down Surfaces.
Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe down dusty surfaces. This includes hanging light fixtures, baseboards, furniture, window ledges and blinds. To clean light bulbs, turn off lights and with a dry soft cloth, wipe away the dust. Plan to deep clean all furniture left in the room during construction. If a desk has drawers, open them and clean those too because dust can get into nearly everything.
Carpets.
At MSNW, we use an industrial shop vacuum before using a truck-mounted hot water extraction system to deep clean carpets in a powerful and effective manner. If you plan on tackling carpet cleaning on your own, plan to vacuum dry first and then use a shampoo vacuum. If you can rent a vacuum, get one with a HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter to manage the fine dust particles a common vacuum may not be able to handle.
Hard Floors.
This can be more manageable, granted that the flooring is not too porous. We use large professional machines at MSNW, but with enough effort, hard floor cleaning can be accomplished with a mop and bucket. Depending on the flooring, you can wax or polish it for a clean finish.
Windows.
Another specialty at MSNW is window cleaning. When attempting on your own, use a glass cleaning product and a squeegee. If using a squeegee proves to be too challenging, switch to a microfiber cloth or paper towel, whichever gets you the cleanest results with the least number of streaks. Sometimes the product itself causes streaks, so try glass cleaner from an aerosol spray can instead of a classic spray bottle.
HVAC System.
Your ventilation system can be a breeding ground for mold and bacteria to grow, especially if not protected during renovation and clean-up. Fine dust can clog vents and cause air health issues. After cleaning, check your HVAC system to determine if you should bring in a professional to clean it for you or if you can handle the problem on your own.
As you can tell, there are many components to cleaning after construction. Professional equipment and tools are necessary for best results.