Post-renovation cleaning: steps, equipment and what to avoid

Post-renovation cleaning follows a fixed order: first remove the rubble and leftover materials, then vacuum the construction dust with a vacuum cleaner with a suitable filter, wipe the surfaces two to three times with a damp cloth from top to bottom, and finally clean the windows and floors. Do not dry-sweep construction dust, as it will be stirred up and settle again. Wear a respirator and gloves while working, and ventilate well.

Construction dust is finer than ordinary household dust and settles even in closed cupboards, on door frames and in ventilation ducts. That is why it is often necessary to go through the flat several times. Below is a procedure you can follow, whether you are cleaning yourself or checking the work of others.

Before you start: what belongs to the tradespeople

It makes sense to start cleaning only once all dusty work has finished, otherwise you will have to do it again. Agree in advance with the company or tradespeople what is included in their work. This usually means:

• removal of rubble, packaging and leftover materials,
• removal of larger deposits of mortar, adhesive and plaster,
• repair of damaged surfaces caused during the work,
• finishing of silicone sealing and final cleaning of joints, in line with the manufacturer's technological waiting times.

Before taking over the work, check that all materials have cured. Do not scrub fresh grout and silicone unless the manufacturer of the material allows it.

Protecting your health when cleaning dust

The British health and safety authority HSE points out that regularly breathing in construction dust can lead to lung diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or silicosis. Cleaning a flat once is not construction site work, but protection is worthwhile all the same.

• Respirator: for work involving dust, HSE specifies protective equipment with a protection factor of 20, for example a disposable FFP3 respirator or a half mask with a P3 filter. The respirator must fit tightly on the face.
• Gloves and goggles: cement dust and mortar residue irritate the skin and eyes.
• Ventilation: open the windows, but not while vacuuming in a draught, which spreads dust into other rooms.
• Children and animals should not be in the flat while dust is being cleaned.

Equipment

• a vacuum cleaner with a suitable filter and a crevice nozzle,
• a larger number of microfibre cloths and two buckets,
• a mop with replaceable covers,
• a plastic scraper and a glass scraper,
• a mild all-purpose cleaner with neutral pH,
• waste bags, a respirator, gloves and protective goggles,
• a stable stepladder.

Why not to sweep, and which vacuum cleaner to use

According to HSE, dry sweeping concrete dust and construction debris can create high concentrations of dust in the air, so workers should avoid it. For fine material, it recommends a class M or H vacuum cleaner or extraction unit, of the kind used on building sites. According to HSE, a small amount of fine debris can first be dampened and only then swept into a dustpan.

If you only have a household vacuum cleaner, check in its manual whether it is also intended for fine construction dust, and check the bag and filter regularly. Do not pick up coarse rubble with a vacuum cleaner; it belongs in bags.

Cleaning step by step

1. Remove the coarse dirt. Collect rubble, offcuts and packaging into sturdy bags. Take off protective films and adhesive tapes only now, so that dust does not get underneath them.
2. Vacuum the whole flat from top to bottom. Start with ceiling mouldings, the top edges of doors and cupboards, windowsills, radiators and sockets, and leave the floors until last. Work from the room farthest away towards the door.
3. First damp wipe. The cloth should be only damp, not wet. Wet cement dust turns into a slurry that gets smeared. Rinse the cloths often and change the water.
4. Second and third wipe. On dark and glossy surfaces, a fine film only shows once dry, which is why wiping is usually repeated.
5. Insides of cupboards and drawers. Dust gets even into a closed kitchen unit and built-in wardrobes.
6. Kitchen and appliances. Wipe the casings, door seals and grilles. Do not blow into appliances and do not use compressed air.
7. Bathroom. Finish off the tiles, grout joints, taps and sanitary ware. For the procedure for joints, see the article How to clean grout in the bathroom.
8. Windows. First vacuum and wipe the dust from the frames, fittings and windowsills, and only then wash the glass. More in the article How to wash windows without streaks.
9. Floors. Vacuum them and then mop them damp, repeatedly and always with clean water. For wooden floors, follow the manufacturer's instructions and use water sparingly.

Wipe electrical sockets and switches only with a dry or slightly damp cloth, and never spray them with a cleaning product.

Mortar, grout and silicone residue

The technical data sheet for the cement grout Ceresit CE 40 Plus states that fresh grout residue can be removed with water, but cured material only mechanically. Similarly, according to the data sheet for Ceresit CS 25 sanitary silicone, fresh silicone can be washed off with water with a little washing-up liquid or with technical spirit, and cured silicone only mechanically.

• Remove dried drops of mortar and adhesive with a plastic scraper held flat.
• Use a glass scraper only on clean, dampened glass, and never on glass with a protective coating unless the manufacturer permits it.
• Do not use acidic cement-residue cleaners on cement grout, natural stone or marble. Always test any product first in an inconspicuous spot and follow the label.
• When working with chemicals, ventilate, wear gloves and do not mix products.

Paint drips left by painters are covered in a separate article, Cleaning after painting.

Where to take construction waste in Prague

The rules for construction waste are set by Act No. 541/2020 Coll., on waste. Under its Section 59(5), a municipality may determine by generally binding bylaw the places where non-business individuals may leave construction and demolition waste generated in its territory. If a company is carrying out the renovation, agree in advance in the contract who will remove the waste, where to, and who will pay for it. This will prevent the rubble from being left in the flat or in the corridor of the building.

In Prague, this area is governed by the bylaw of the City of Prague on waste. Under it, individuals can also hand in construction and demolition waste at the waste collection yards of the City of Prague, under the supervision of the staff. Specified types, such as concrete, bricks, tiles and ceramic products, and soil and stones, can be handed in free of charge, up to an annual limit set by the bylaw. Some waste can also be placed in the large-capacity containers provided by the city or the city district. Before you set off, check the current limit, the list of collection yards and the conditions with the operator or on the city's website, as they may change.

This is general information, not legal advice. For your specific situation, such as a larger conversion or hazardous waste, check the conditions with the district office.

How to tell it is done

• When you run a finger along the top edge of a door or a windowsill, no grey film is left.
• A dark floor has no white patches after drying.
• The glass is clean even in side light.
• There is no dust in cupboards and drawers.
• Ventilation grilles and radiators have been vacuumed.

If you have neither the time nor the equipment for cleaning after building work, you can find a description of the scope of the service on the page post-renovation cleaning.