After the builders: a post-renovation clean in Marbella
Renovation dust gets into everything. How a post-construction clean works, what to protect, what to do first and when to bring in professionals in Spain.
· 2 min read
Why a normal clean is not enough
Renovation dust is not ordinary house dust. Cement, plaster and tile-cutting dust is very fine, slightly abrasive and alkaline, and it travels through the whole home, including closed wardrobes, light fittings and air vents.
Autumn is a popular time for reforms on the coast, once the summer season is over. That makes it worth planning the clean from the start, not as an afterthought when the last tradesperson leaves.
Agree the handover with your builder
Ask your contractor what is included. Some teams remove their own rubble and sweep up; many do not clean beyond that. Settle it before work begins, and keep the final clean separate from the building work so you know exactly who is responsible for what.
Rubble, plasterboard and packaging must be gone before the fine clean starts. Cleaning around building waste only spreads dust again.
The right order: top to bottom, dry before wet
Work from the ceiling down: ceilings, light fittings and shelves first, floors last. Vacuum with a good filter before you use any water. Wetting plaster or cement dust turns it into a film that is much harder to remove, and it can dull glass and polished surfaces.
Use soft cloths and rinse them often. Wiping dry dust off glass, stainless steel or lacquered surfaces drags abrasive particles across them and leaves fine scratches.
Protect delicate surfaces
New marble, travertine and other natural stone can be stained or etched by the wrong product, and acid-based cleaners are a common mistake on fresh grout and stone. Use a neutral cleaner and test it in a hidden corner first.
Leave stickers and protective films on windows and appliances until the very end, then remove paint spots and cement residue from glass with care, not with a metal blade held flat against it.
Do not forget the hidden places
Dust settles inside kitchen cabinets, on top of wardrobes, in window tracks, inside radiators and on air-conditioning grilles. Clean the grilles and replace or wash the filters afterwards; running the unit with a dusty filter pushes the dust back into the room.
Open windows for ventilation while you work, and wear a dust mask when sweeping or vacuuming heavy renovation dust.
When to call in professionals
For larger projects, a team with proper vacuums and the right products will usually finish faster and with less risk to your new floors and surfaces.
Lavanda can clean a home after renovation work. Tell us what was done and which materials were installed, and we will plan the visit around them.
