You’ve just finished renovating your Newcastle home—congratulations! The new kitchen looks amazing, the bathroom is stunning, but there’s one problem: construction dust absolutely everywhere.
Post-renovation cleaning (also called after-builder cleaning or construction cleaning) is a specialized service that tackles the unique mess left behind by trades. Whether you’ve renovated in Charlestown, Hamilton, Merewether, Adamstown, or Kotara, this guide will help you understand what’s involved.
Why Post-Renovation Cleaning is Different
Construction dust isn’t like regular household dust. It’s finer, more pervasive, and contains particles from:
- Plaster and drywall
- Sawdust and wood particles
- Concrete and grout dust
- Paint overspray and fumes
- Adhesives and sealants
- Tile and stone cutting residue
This dust settles EVERYWHERE—inside cabinets, on ceiling fans, in air vents, behind appliances, and in places you didn’t even know existed.
⚠️ Important: Regular cleaning won’t cut it after renovations. You need specialized equipment and techniques to properly remove construction dust and debris.
The Complete Post-Renovation Cleaning Checklist
Phase 1: Initial Debris Removal (1-2 hours)
Remove Large Debris:
- Pick up all visible construction materials
- Remove protective coverings (plastic sheets, drop cloths)
- Collect and dispose of packaging materials
- Remove tape, stickers, and labels from new fixtures
- Sweep up large particles and chunks
Ventilation:
- Open all windows to air out paint fumes
- Run exhaust fans in bathrooms and kitchen
- Allow fresh air circulation for at least 2-3 hours
Phase 2: Dust Removal – Top to Bottom (3-4 hours)
Ceilings and High Areas:
- Wipe down ceiling fans (disassemble if needed)
- Clean light fixtures and globes
- Dust ceiling corners and remove cobwebs
- Clean air vents and return air grills
- Wipe down ceiling-mounted smoke detectors
Walls and Surfaces:
- Wipe all walls from top to bottom (new paint can be delicate!)
- Clean door frames and architraves
- Wipe down all skirting boards/baseboards
- Clean window frames, sills, and tracks
- Remove paint splatters from glass
Windows:
- Clean inside and outside of all windows
- Scrape off paint overspray from glass
- Clean window tracks thoroughly
- Wipe down window sills
- Clean between double-glazed panels if accessible
Phase 3: Kitchen Deep Clean (2-3 hours)
New Kitchen Cabinets & Drawers:
- Remove ALL protective film and stickers
- Wipe inside every cabinet and drawer
- Clean cabinet exteriors (fronts, sides, tops)
- Polish cabinet hardware
- Clean under and behind cabinets
New Appliances:
- Remove all packaging and protective materials
- Wipe inside refrigerator, oven, dishwasher
- Clean outside of all appliances
- Remove stickers and instructional labels
- Polish stainless steel surfaces
Benchtops & Splashback:
- Remove grout haze from new tiles
- Clean and polish new benchtops (stone, laminate, etc.)
- Clean new sink and taps
- Remove silicone residue
Phase 4: Bathroom Cleaning (1-2 hours per bathroom)
New Fixtures:
- Remove protective film from new vanity, shower screens
- Clean inside new cabinets and drawers
- Polish new taps and fixtures
- Clean new mirrors
Tiles and Grout:
- Remove grout haze from new tiles (this is critical!)
- Clean between tiles in shower and floor
- Polish glass shower screens
- Clean new bathtub thoroughly
Toilet:
- Clean new toilet inside and out
- Remove any construction dust from tank
- Clean behind and around toilet base
Phase 5: Floors – The Final Step (2-3 hours)
Why floors are last: Dust falls down as you clean above, so floors must be done last!
New Timber/Hardwood Floors:
- Sweep thoroughly with microfiber mop
- Vacuum with soft brush attachment
- Damp mop with appropriate timber floor cleaner
- Buff to shine (if applicable)
- DO NOT use excessive water on new timber!
New Tile/Stone Floors:
- Sweep and vacuum thoroughly
- Remove grout haze with specialized remover
- Mop with pH-neutral cleaner
- Clean grout lines
- Seal if required (travertine, marble, etc.)
New Carpet:
- Vacuum multiple times (construction dust is stubborn)
- Consider professional steam clean
- Remove any paint drops or stains immediately
Vinyl/Laminate:
- Sweep and vacuum
- Mop with appropriate cleaner
- Ensure no excess water sits on laminate
Phase 6: Final Touches (1 hour)
- Clean out air conditioning filters (full of dust!)
- Wipe down electrical outlets and switch plates
- Clean door handles and hardware
- Final vacuum of all areas
- Empty all bins and vacuum cleaner
- Do a walk-through inspection
Essential Tools for Post-Renovation Cleaning
You’ll need specialized equipment:
- HEPA vacuum: Regular vacuums can’t capture fine construction dust
- Microfiber cloths: At least 20-30 cloths (they get filthy fast)
- Grout haze remover: Essential for new tiles
- Paint scraper: For glass and hard surfaces
- Step ladder: For high areas
- Quality cleaning products: pH-neutral for new surfaces
- Protective gear: Mask, goggles, gloves
💡 Pro Tip: Construction dust lingers in the air for days. You’ll likely need to clean surfaces multiple times as dust continues to settle!
DIY vs Professional Post-Renovation Cleaning
DIY Post-Renovation Cleaning
Realistic Time Estimate:
- Small bathroom reno: 8-12 hours
- Kitchen renovation: 12-20 hours
- Whole house renovation: 30-50+ hours
Pros:
- Save on labor costs
- Work at your own pace
- Complete control
Cons:
- Extremely time-consuming
- Physically exhausting
- May damage new surfaces with wrong products
- Need to purchase/rent specialized equipment
- May need multiple cleaning passes over days
Professional Post-Renovation Cleaning
Time Estimate:
- Small bathroom reno: 3-4 hours (team of 2)
- Kitchen renovation: 4-6 hours (team of 2-3)
- Whole house renovation: 8-16 hours (team of 3-4)
Pros:
- Professional results in fraction of the time
- Specialized equipment (HEPA vacuums, industrial cleaners)
- Knowledge of safe products for new surfaces
- Insured if anything goes wrong
- Move in immediately after cleaning
Cons:
- Higher upfront cost ($320-1200+ depending on scope)
- Need to schedule in advance
Common Post-Renovation Cleaning Mistakes
1. Starting Too Soon
Wait at least 24-48 hours after trades finish to let dust settle and paint/adhesives cure.
2. Using Wrong Products on New Surfaces
- Acidic cleaners can etch new stone benchtops
- Abrasive cleaners scratch new glass
- Too much water damages new timber floors
3. Cleaning Floors First
ALWAYS work top-to-bottom. Dust falls down as you clean above!
4. Not Removing Grout Haze Properly
Grout haze requires specialized removers. Water alone won’t work and can make it worse!
5. Skipping Multiple Passes
You’ll need to clean many surfaces 2-3 times as dust continues to settle.
6. Forgetting Hidden Areas
Inside cabinets, air vents, behind appliances—dust hides everywhere!
Special Considerations for Newcastle Renovations
Coastal Renovations (Merewether, Bar Beach)
- Salt air + construction dust = stubborn residue
- Pay extra attention to windows and outdoor areas
- Ensure good ventilation to prevent moisture issues
Heritage Homes (Newcastle East, The Hill)
- May have old lead paint dust—use PPE
- Delicate original features need gentle cleaning
- Consider professional help for heritage elements
Queenslander-Style Homes
- High ceilings = more ladder work
- VJ walls trap dust in grooves
- Underneath subfloor areas may need cleaning too
🔨 Finished Your Newcastle Renovation?
Let us handle the cleanup so you can enjoy your beautiful new space!
Professional post-renovation cleaning for all Newcastle suburbs.
Or call (02) 4001 6254
Frequently Asked Questions
Wait at least 24-48 hours after the final trade leaves. This allows paint to cure, adhesives to set, and dust to settle. For major renovations, wait 72 hours before deep cleaning.
Not recommended! Construction dust is harmful to breathe and will get on your furniture and belongings. Professional cleaning should be done before moving in any furniture or personal items.
Prices range from $320-$1200+ depending on the scope. A small bathroom renovation typically costs $320-480, a kitchen $480-800, and a whole-house renovation $800-1500+. Contact us for a custom quote based on your specific renovation.
Some fine dust can continue to settle for up to a week after major renovations. Run air purifiers, change HVAC filters, and do light dusting. Most professional cleaners offer a complimentary touch-up within 48 hours if significant dust remains.
Light cleaning during renovations can help, but save the thorough clean for after all work is complete. Trying to deep clean while trades are still working is a waste of effort!
Yes! We bring specialized equipment including HEPA vacuums, industrial cleaners, grout haze removers, and all necessary supplies. You don’t need to provide anything.
Get Your Renovated Home Move-In Ready
Post-renovation cleaning is the final step in transforming your Newcastle home. Don’t let weeks of beautiful renovation work be marred by construction dust and debris.
Whether you tackle it yourself or hire professionals, this checklist ensures nothing is missed. And if you’re in the greater Newcastle area, our experienced team is ready to make your newly renovated home sparkle.
Ready to enjoy your renovation without the cleanup hassle? Book your post-renovation clean today!
About Newcastle Cleaners: We’re your local professional cleaning service, proudly serving the greater Newcastle area with specialized post-renovation cleaning services. From small bathroom makeovers to complete home renovations, we’ve got you covered.