Post-renovation cleaning guide
The builders have gone, but the dust hasn't. This is how a renovated home goes from finished to ready to live in, and the mistakes that can damage brand-new surfaces.
Why renovation dust is different
Plaster, sanding and cutting leave a very fine dust that hangs in the air and settles for days after the work stops. It gets inside cupboards, on top of door frames, into light fittings and along every skirting board. One quick clean moves it around. A proper post-renovation clean works from the top down, removes the dust rather than spreading it, and often needs a final light pass a day or two later.
When to book the clean
- After the last trade has finished, including painters and any snagging work
- After paint and sealant have cured, so fresh surfaces aren't marked
- Before furniture, rugs and curtains go back in, so dust isn't trapped in fabric
Room by room
Walls, ceilings and fittings
Dust ceilings, coving and light fittings first. Wipe door frames, the tops of doors, skirting boards, sockets and switches. Remove paint drips and masking tape residue with care: new paint is soft for the first few weeks.
New kitchen
Clean inside every cupboard and drawer, remove protective film and labels, and wipe hinges and runners where dust collects. Clean the oven, hob and extractor before first use, and check stone worktops for sealant or grout haze.
New bathroom
Remove grout haze from tiles, sealant smears from the bath and shower tray, and stickers from glass and sanitaryware. Polish chrome and brass with products that are safe for the finish.
Glass and windows
Take off labels and film, remove paint and plaster spots carefully, clean frames and tracks, and finish the glass streak-free on both sides where it can be reached safely.
Floors
Vacuum with a filter that holds fine dust, then clean each floor with the method its finish needs. New wooden floors, natural stone and polished concrete all need different care.
Mistakes that damage new finishes
- Scouring pads or blades on glass and stone without knowing the surface
- Strong acid cleaners on marble, limestone or brass
- Too much water on new wooden floors
- Household vacuums that blow fine dust straight back into the room
How Marinel does it
Every post-renovation clean follows the Marinel System: clean, detail, inspect, document, present. Each property is checked against our 42-point standard and you receive a photo report the same day. See handover cleaning, or request a quote for a renovated property.