The Complete Post-Construction Cleaning Checklist for Kenyan Homeowners
The builders have left, but the dust has not. A room-by-room checklist for cleaning a new build or renovation properly, in the right order, without damaging new finishes.
By Cleantique SolutionsPublished 5 min read
Finishing a new house or a renovation is exciting, until you realise how much dust and residue the builders left behind. Fine dust in every cupboard, cement splashes on new tiles, paint on the windows, stickers on the appliances and protective film baked onto the doors. Ordinary cleaning does not shift most of it, and doing it in the wrong order means doing it twice.
This checklist covers what to clean, in what order and how to protect your new finishes.
Before you start
- Wait for all trades to finish. Painters, electricians, plumbers and carpenters all create dust. Cleaning before they finish means cleaning again.
- Clear bulk debris first. Offcuts, broken blocks, cement bags and packaging should be removed by the contractor or a waste service. Cleaning starts after that.
- Make sure water and power are on.
- Ventilate. Open windows to let dust and paint fumes clear.
- Identify delicate finishes. Natural stone, polished concrete, powder-coated aluminium, engineered worktops and some tiles can be permanently damaged by the wrong product. Check the manufacturer's care instructions.
- Gather the right equipment. A vacuum with fine filtration, microfibre cloths, plastic and glass scrapers, buckets, mops and suitable products. Domestic vacuums often clog or blow fine dust back into the air.
The right order of work
- Top to bottom: ceilings, light fittings and high surfaces first; floors last.
- Dry before wet: vacuum dust before wiping, otherwise you make paste.
- Rough clean, then detail: remove the bulk of dust and residue first, let the remaining dust settle, then do a full clean, and finally a detail clean before handover.
On larger projects, the rough clean and full clean can be a day or more apart.
Room-by-room checklist
Throughout the property
- Remove cobwebs and dust from ceilings, cornices and ceiling corners
- Dust and wipe light fittings, ceiling fans and switch plates (power off)
- Vacuum and wipe air vents and extractor grilles
- Vacuum and wipe walls where finish allows; spot-clean marks
- Clean door frames, doors, handles and hinges; remove paint spots
- Clean skirting boards
- Vacuum and wipe window frames, tracks and sills
- Remove protective film and stickers from glass, frames and doors
- Clean glass inside and out where accessible; remove paint and silicone with a blade
- Vacuum inside sockets and switch surrounds (power off)
- Vacuum, then mop all floors
Kitchen
- Vacuum and wipe inside and outside all cabinets and drawers
- Remove protective film from cabinet fronts and appliances
- Clean worktops with a product suitable for the material
- Clean the splashback and grout lines
- Clean the sink and taps; remove silicone smears
- Clean appliances inside and out, including the oven, hob, extractor hood and fridge
- Remove labels and adhesive from appliances
- Clean light fittings under cabinets
Bathrooms
- Remove grout haze from tiles using a method suited to the tile
- Clean toilets, basins, baths and shower trays; remove stickers and adhesive
- Remove silicone smears and trim untidy beads
- Clean shower screens and mirrors; remove paint and film
- Clean taps, showerheads and fittings
- Clean cabinets and shelves inside and out
- Clean extractor fans
Bedrooms and living areas
- Vacuum and wipe inside built-in wardrobes and shelving
- Clean windows, frames and sills
- Clean skirting, doors and frames
- Vacuum and clean floors; check corners for residue
Outside areas
- Sweep balconies and terraces; remove paint and cement spots
- Clean balcony glass and railings
- Wash external window sills where accessible
Dealing with common residues
| Residue | How to deal with it | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Fine construction dust | Vacuum with fine filtration, top down; repeat after it settles | Dry sweeping puts dust back in the air |
| Cement and mortar splashes | Soften and lift with a plastic scraper; use a suitable cleaner for the tile type | Strong acid can etch natural stone and some tiles |
| Grout haze | A grout haze remover suited to the tile, then rinse and neutralise | Test first; some products damage polished or natural surfaces |
| Paint on glass | A sharp glass scraper held flat, with water or glass cleaner | Never use a scraper on coated or tinted glass without checking |
| Paint on fittings | A suitable solvent, applied sparingly | Can damage plastic and coated finishes; test first |
| Adhesive from film and stickers | Peel slowly, then soften residue with an appropriate remover | Avoid abrasive pads on stainless steel and glossy surfaces |
| Silicone smears | Trim with a blade, then clean with a silicone remover | Do not cut into the seal itself |
Always test any product on a small, hidden area first.
Safety
- Wear gloves, eye protection and a dust mask, especially during the rough clean.
- Keep the area ventilated when using solvents.
- Switch off power before cleaning around sockets and light fittings.
- Watch for hazards: exposed wiring, unfinished balustrades, sharp offcuts and wet paint.
- Do not mix cleaning chemicals.
Final handover check
Before you hand over or move in, walk through with good light:
- No dust on horizontal surfaces, inside cupboards or on light fittings.
- Glass clear of film, paint, stickers and smears.
- Tiles free of grout haze and cement.
- Sanitaryware and fittings clean and free of silicone smears.
- Window and door tracks clear and running smoothly.
- Floors clean, including corners and along skirting.
Should you do it yourself?
A small renovation in one room is manageable yourself with the right equipment and patience. A whole new build or a large renovation is a big job: several days of work, specialist products, and a real risk of damaging expensive finishes with the wrong method. A professional post-construction cleaning service works in stages, tests products before using them and times the final detail clean to your handover date.
After the clean
New buildings, especially those that have stood empty during construction, can attract pests. Consider a pest control inspection before you move in, while the property is empty and easy to treat.
Frequently asked questions
How long after building work should I clean?
Once all trades have finished and bulk debris has been removed. The final detail clean is best done a day or two before moving in or handing over.
Can I use a normal household vacuum?
You can for light dust, but construction dust is very fine and can clog filters and damage motors. A vacuum with fine filtration is much more effective.
What is grout haze?
A thin film of grout left on the surface of tiles after grouting. It makes tiles look cloudy and needs a suitable remover.
Who is responsible for post-construction cleaning?
Check your contract. Many contractors include a “builder's clean” that removes debris and bulk dust, but not a detailed clean. Agree what is included before work finishes.
Need a handover-ready clean? Request a post-construction cleaning quote.
About this guide
Written by the Cleantique Solutions team for homes and businesses in Nairobi. It is general guidance, not a substitute for an inspection or professional advice about your specific property. If anything here is unclear or out of date, tell us at hi@cleantique.co.ke.
