A checklist helps keep us on track and make sure we don’t miss the important details. That’s where a construction cleaning checklist comes in, as it can help make the clean-up process easier on you. By prioritizing tasks to be completed thoroughly, you can ensure that all of your important work is done quickly and efficiently.
We all know how important it can be to keep a site clean, but sometimes it is challenging. That is why creating a checklist will help. It is exciting to be finally ready to move into your new home, office space, or your latest building project. However, is it fully ready to be moved into?
Have you checked off the final details and made sure that everything is in order, clean, and ready? Is there debris still lying around and layers of dust and a general mess that construction brings about? Well, having a checklist that helps you cross off the final touches is what you should be doing. The benefits of this include saving time to focus on the more essential aspects of your home or your business.
There are two ways to go about cleaning post-construction. The more straightforward method is getting a professional cleaning service to come and get rid of the mess. Literally! Or there is a second option where you make yourself a checklist of what is required to be done and go about it yourself. Read on and let us show you some tips and tricks on getting it done yourself. Think of it as a checklist of sorts that will help you tackle the post-construction cleaning required.
On top of your list are the cleaning tools and cleaners that you will need.
Let’s look at the cleaning tools first:
- Vacuum Cleaner
- Mop
- Microfiber cloth and rags
- Squeegee
- Broom and a dustpan
- Bucket for water
- Scrubbing tools, brushes, and sponges
- Garbage bags to collect debris
Now it’s time to find the right cleaning solutions:
- Floor cleaner
- Glass cleaner
- Multi-purpose cleaner
- Bathroom cleaner
- Disinfectants
Safety!
Let’s not forget safety is vital. That said, a good pair of rubber gloves, a mask, goggles, and clothing to cover yourself is a few extra items that you should purchase. Protective gear will help you from coming into direct contact with any materials or debris that can be harmful and keep your hands free from any chemicals in those cleaners.
Now to the Actual Cleaning Part
Your property comprises of both the exterior and interior. Every room is equally essential and cleaning them spotless is not only a good look but a priority. In order to make it easier to understand what needs to be done, we have broken down the cleaning requirements to designated areas such as the interior, bathrooms, kitchen, and exterior. This overall checklist is bound to be a lifesaver in all things cleaning.
Interior Construction Cleaning
- Dust all walls and the ceiling
- Clean and dust light fixtures
- Clean ceiling fans
- Dust and wipe down window sills, window frames, blinds, etc.
- Wipe down any moulding and baseboards
- Clean and squeegee windows and window tracks
- Doors and door frames dusted and cleaned
- Wipe and sponge down counter spaces
- Dust cabinets, cupboards, and shelving
- Clean the air vents
- Sweep, vacuum, and mop floors
Bathroom Checklist
- Dust the ceilings of the bathroom
- Scrub and wash the wall tiles
- Clan and wipe down the window, window sills, and blinds
- Clean the mirror
- Scrub, wipe, and wash the sink and faucet and underneath it
- Clean the cabinets, shelves, and counters
- Scrub and wash the shower area and bathtub
- Clean the interior and exterior of the toilet bowl
- Wipe down all other fittings and fixtures
- Clean and mop the floor
Kitchen Checklist
- Clean and wipe down appliances
- Clean and wipe down cabinet tops and get rid of any debris lying around
- Scrub and wash the sinks and faucet
- Dust shelves and wall brackets
- Wipe and scrub the backsplash tiles
- Vacuum and sweep the floor
- Mop the floor for a final cleaning
Exterior Construction Cleaning
- Dust and wipe down wall fixtures
- Dust and wipe down exterior lighting fixtures
- Collect any rubbish such as packaging and other debris and throw away
- Pressure wash all the exterior walls, driveway, and even the back porch and deck
- Wash exterior windows as required
- Clean up the lawn and backyard
Voila! There you have it a checklist of what areas need a good cleaning after construction is done and before the move-in phase. Stick to this list, and you will have a spotless space that’s all ready and clean.
Now that we know the different areas that need to be cleaned and have broken down the specifics. Let’s not forget to educate ourselves on a few tips and tricks that will help with the process. Not only is it important to know what to clean, but it is also always best to know how to do it right as well. After all, successful cleaning is in the way you do it.
Break your work down into sections and start from the top. Move downwards as you clean if your building is in levels. This way, you wouldn’t have to clean the bottom twice if debris from upstairs finds its way down especially if you started the opposite way.
Getting rid of rubbish lying around is the most important. Less clutter and obstacles in your path, the easier it will be to start cleaning. Working with space around you allows you to get to all the dust and dirt that needs to be cleaned out. Pile up any packaging, wire scraps, and other leftovers into trash bags and toss them in the garbage.
Post-construction cleaning means a lot of fine debris is bound to be stuck on the floors. This cleaning has to be done thoroughly and is best done in four steps. Start by vacuuming the floors, then once most of the debris and dirt has been taken care of you can move on to mopping. This will help eliminate dust and fine debris that wasn’t vacuumed. Now it’s time to sweep any final dust and give the floor one last mop for added measure. It is an effective method to get rid of all that leftover construction dust and dirt.
With your checklist in hand and your trusty tools by your side, make sure you tackle a room at a time. Don’t be in a rush to finish cleaning all in one go. Also, don’t move from place to place without finishing off one area. Scattered cleaning will just be messier and actually take a longer time to get done. So, be methodical, follow your checklist, ensure that you break down the process. That way, you wouldn’t miss out on cleaning a particular part of the space or have to re-do the same room all over again.
Organize your tools in a way that it makes it easy for you to carry the tools around. You could use a trolley to store all the cleaning essentials. That way, you just need to push it to the room required. Use the checklist as a guide to identify which cleaning tools are required for what part of the space you will be cleaning and take what’s necessary with you to that area. In doing so, you wouldn’t have to keep running around finding what you need, making the cleaning process smoother and faster.
Cleaning tools can be kept for use later on as well. It’s not cost-effective to just buy these cleaners for one-time use. You could always store them to be used for a regular clean-up session. However, when storing and putting away your tools and cleaners, do it safely and correctly. Keep the tools clean and dry when storing. Wash them or wipe them down once done for the day. Don’t forget that during the cleaning session as well to clean the equipment regularly. Otherwise, you will be removing dirt from one place and reapplying it somewhere else. Now that’s just not clean or hygienic.
Cleaning solutions shouldn’t be wiped off as you apply them. Give it some time to breathe and really do its work. Follow the instructions on the labels or research the instructions for effective cleaning. Give it some time to really get into those marks and then scrub away the dirt.
Finally, with all the cleaning done, don’t forget to do one final disinfection. Sterilize the place and wipe down the surfaces with a disinfectant. That way, you can move into a clean and spotless house or office space.
Well, there you have it a checklist and tips on how to clean post-construction. Follow these steps, and your life is bound to be easier. There is always the simpler but expensive option of hiring a professional cleaning crew. Although if you feel like doing it yourself, well, then a construction cleaning checklist will help you achieve what needs to be done.