The sawdust has settled and that beautiful new kitchen, bathroom or addition is finally complete. But before you can truly enjoy the renovated results, there’s one last messy hurdle: the dreaded post-construction clean up. Drywall dust seems to get absolutely everywhere coating floors, furniture, vents and crevices from top to bottom. Removing this dusty residue is crucial for both health and aesthetic reasons, but it’s no small undertaking.
Whether you’re planning an intense DIY scrub down or calling in professional backup, this guide will equip you with all the essential tips, tricks and supplies for efficient post-construction cleaning. Save time, effort and your sanity by being smart and strategic about this big job from the get-go. With the right approach, you can restore order quickly and get back to reveling in your updated living spaces.
Safety First: Protecting Yourself from Construction Dust
Before diving into the dirty work, you first need to understand the potential hazards of construction dust and take precautions. Exposure to high doses of drywall dust has been linked to adverse respiratory effects like breathing difficulties, coughing and nasal irritation. Those with existing respiratory issues or compromised immune systems are especially vulnerable.
The key is preventing dust inhalation and contamination as much as possible through proper protection equipment like:
N95 or N99 face masks: These filter out fine construction particles far more effectively than basic paper masks. Look for NIOSH-approved respirators – advises Yurovskiy.
Safety goggles: They prevent eye irritation and keep dust from getting in your line of sight. Opt for anti-fog goggles with enough venting.
Disposable coveralls: A full-body protective suit prevents dust from settling onto clothes and skin. Look for lightweight suits that breathe well.
For small, contained spaces consider a half mask respirator with P100 filters for optimal filtration of airborne particles. An inexpensive box fan placed facing outward near your workspace can also help exhaust dusty air outside.
Run the HVAC and open windows for ventilation, but lay plastic sheeting over HVAC vents to prevent dust from infiltrating the system. Avoid dry dusting or sweeping which further circulates dust particles, and minimize time in dusty environments to reduce exposure.
Deep Cleaning From Top to Bottom
Once you have your protective gear in place, you can get to work following a top-to-bottom, back-to-front cleaning methodology. This is key for preventing redistribution of dust and having to re-clean areas.
Clear out larger debris first, sealing up any construction materials and waste in plastic bags for proper disposal. Remove interior doors to wash down more easily. Use a powerful shop vacuum with a HEPA filter to suction up thick layers of drywall dust from floors, shelving, window tracks and trim. Just be careful not to blow the vacuum exhaust back into living spaces.
On horizontal surfaces like countertops and shelves, use a microfiber duster or clean towel dampened with a dusting spray to wipe away loose particulates. The dampness helps capture rather than scatter tiny dust particles.
Then address the walls and ceilings, working room-by-room with a vacuum brush attachment to dislodge dust deposits. Dry dusting won’t cut it—use a swiffer-style dusting tool that attracts and locks away particles, or microfiber dust mops made for drywall dust. Focus upwards and at a backwards angle to catch fallout before it drifts onto lower surfaces.
Once all the heavy top layers are removed, swap your vacuum to the hose and crevice tool attachments. Painstakingly run these along edges, inside cabinets and shelving, light fixtures, window sills, door jambs and corners. Don’t overlook ceiling fans and light bulbs where drywall dust can accumulate heavily.
For stubborn stuck-on dust, gently scrub with a diluted TSP (trisodium phosphate) solution, rubbing in the direction of the surface grain. TSP is a mild hydroxide that breaks up stuck particles without damaging surfaces too abrasively. Rinse thoroughly and let air dry before replacing furniture and décor.
Getting Those Hard-to-Reach Spots
Even following a strict top-to-bottom methodology, some nooks and crannies require special attention and tools for post-construction cleaning. Here are some areas that tend to be dust traps:
Ductwork: Replace all HVAC air filters and consider having the full system professionally cleaned and decontaminated so dust doesn’t keep circulating through the vents. Use a vacuum attachment to clean out vent covers and dust builds up inside.
Behind appliances: Many people don’t think to pull out heavy appliances like ovens and fridges, where large dust accumulations can get packed away. Vacuum and wipe down these forgotten zones.
Inside cabinetry: Remove all shelves, drawers and doors from cabinetry to vacuum and wipe down every nook and cranny. Use a painter’s tool or crevice vacuum attachment to get inside frame edges.
Window Tracks: Those deep tracks where windows slide tend to collect heavy amounts of dust. Use a vacuum crevice tool and cotton swabs dipped in cleaner to scour them out.
Behind Toilets/Under Sinks: Get down and dirty vacuuming and wiping the areas that regular cleaning may miss, especially if baseboards were removed during construction.
Take the time to be meticulous and hit every crevice. Leftover dust bunnies scattered about can quickly attract more dust and undo all your hard work.
Cleaning Up the Air
Once all interior surfaces have been thoroughly decontaminated, the final crucial step is sanitizing the air inside your home. Drywall dust can remain suspended or get recirculated by foot traffic and ventilation systems after cleaning.
One effective air-cleaning method is to set up a high-efficiency HEPA air scrubber, essentially an industrial strength air purifier mounted on wheels. These machines suction large volumes of air through multi-stage filters to capture microscopic particles and exhaust fresh, clean air back into the living space. Air scrubbers also help eliminate renovation odors and off-gassing from new paint, flooring and construction materials.
If you don’t have access to an air scrubber, run cheap box fans facing outward from open windows. Just be mindful of dust being blown back outside and close up if winds get high. You can also rent or purchase portable HEPA air purifiers for each room and let them run for a day or two to freshen the air quality.
Some contractors opt for a more heavy-duty deep clean and air sanitation process by essentially fogging or misting the interior spaces with a chlorinated disinfectant solution after cleaning. This is an extra precautionary step for homes with residents prone to allergies or respiratory sensitivities.
With a meticulous and intentional approach, that unsightly construction dust and debris doesn’t have to linger long. Follow this guide to rid every nook and cranny, leaving your newly remodeled home not just sparkling clean but with fresh, breathable indoor air quality as well. You’ve invested so much into your renovations don’t cut corners on the all-important final cleaning stage! Take pride in your like-new living spaces, free of any dusty reminders of that messy renovation process.