So, you survived the renovation. Congrats! The paint’s dry, the floors are shiny, and the tradies are finally out of your hair. You should be basking in that fresh-new-home vibe… except everything’s covered in this fine, clingy, relentless layer of dust. It’s in your cupboards. It’s in your socks. You probably inhaled a tablespoon just reading this. Welcome to post-reno reality, especially if you’re in Brisbane where the humidity turns dust into… well, mud. Kinda.
Let’s be real. Cleaning after a renovation is less “quick tidy up” and more “deep spiritual purge with a mop and maybe a stiff drink.” But I’ve been there. And if you wanna breathe easy (literally), here’s the scrappy-but-solid guide you actually need.
First, Brisbane Has Opinions About Dust
If you’re in Brisbane, you’re not just dealing with generic builder grit. Nope. You’ve got thick summer air, 70% humidity, and walls that practically sweat. Dust here doesn’t just float around like in dry climates — it sticks. And it breeds mould if you ignore it.
Seriously, if you let post-construction grime sit in a damp bathroom corner, it’s like giving mushrooms an Airbnb.
So yeah — timing and airflow matter here. Open every window. Turn on fans. Use a dehumidifier if you’ve got one (or borrow your neighbor’s because no one uses theirs daily anyway).
Quick Safety Rant Before You Start
Don’t go full superhero with a broom and bare hands. Builder dust isn’t just annoying — it can jack up your lungs. You’re dealing with micro-particles of paint, plaster, timber, maybe even asbestos if your place is older and the reno crew got a little “adventurous.”
So:
- Mask up (N95 or P2 — the good stuff).
- Goggles if you’re getting up close and personal with ceilings.
- Gloves, because dry hands are the devil.
Also, keep kids and pets out of the room. Unless they like wheezing.
Your Battle Gear (a.k.a. Cleaning Supplies You Actually Need)
Look, you don’t need to buy out the cleaning aisle at Bunnings. But here’s what’ll make your life easier:
- A vacuum with a HEPA filter (non-negotiable — regular vacs will just yeet the dust back into the air).
- Microfiber cloths — not grandma’s old tea towels that just smear dust around like peanut butter.
- Mop + floor cleaner that won’t kill your new floors.
- A broom or shop vac for the chunky stuff.
- Buckets, sponges, maybe a toothbrush (seriously).
- Trash bags. So many trash bags.
- Step stool or ladder — ’cause dust loves high places.
- Optional: a dehumidifier or fan to keep the air moving and dry while you work.
Now: caffeinate. Cue up your cleaning playlist. Let’s do this.
You can also read 5 Signs It’s Time to Book a Professional House Cleaning
Step 1: Chuck the Big Junk, Then Vacuum Like Your Life Depends on It
You know all that random crap the builders left behind? Nails, screws, splinters of wood, packaging from mystery products you never saw installed?
Bag it. Sweep it. Toss it.
Then grab that HEPA vacuum and go nuts. Carpets, rugs, corners, under the couch cushions. Don’t half-ass it — construction dust settles in weird places. Even your curtains probably need a once-over.
Tip: Vacuum the same area twice. It’s annoying, but trust me, the first pass just gets the obvious stuff. The second round finds the evil.
Step 2: Dust From the Ceiling Down (Gravity Is a Jerk)
This is where your arms will hate you, but future-you will thank you.
Start with the ceiling — fans, light fixtures, crown moulding. Anything up high? Hit it first.
Then walls, windowsills, door frames, and shelves.
And yes, you’re gonna get stuff falling down onto the freshly vacuumed floor. It’s fine. You’ll circle back.
Oh, and ditch the feather duster unless you enjoy watching dust fly around like confetti. Use a damp microfiber cloth instead. Or one of those electrostatic things that grabs the dust like magic.
Step 3: Scrub Those Walls, Doors, and Trim Like They Owe You Money
Grab a bucket of warm soapy water (dish soap works fine) and a soft sponge.
Wipe down every surface. Especially switches, door handles, and around outlets where dust likes to loiter like it’s waiting for a bus.
Walls? Be gentle — especially if you’ve got fresh paint. No soaking. No Scotch-Brite death sponges.
Window tracks are gross — toothbrush time. Sorry.
Step 4: Back to the Floors (AKA The Final Frontier)
If you’ve done it right, all the dust from above is now on the ground. Time to mop it into oblivion.
Tile or stone? Go wild — just don’t overdo it with vinegar if it’s sealed stone. A little goes a long way.
Timber floors? Be gentle. Light mist, not a flood. Dry as you go with a towel or soft cloth.
Carpets? You vacuumed earlier, yeah? Now rent a carpet cleaner or book a steam-cleaner pro. You don’t want paint flecks and drywall gunk buried in your fibers.
Step 5: Kitchen & Bathroom = The Real Final Boss
You thought the living room was dusty? Wait till you open a cupboard and find drywall snow inside your cereal shelf.
Wipe every surface. Inside cabinets. Behind appliances. Under the sink.
For the kitchen: degrease where needed, clean filters (especially range hoods), and run appliances empty on a hot cycle if they were recently installed. You’d be surprised how many bits of tape, glue, and cardboard end up inside ovens and dishwashers.
Bathroom: go hard. Tiles, grout, shower screens, taps. Mould loves Brisbane bathrooms, so dry everything properly after.
Step 6: Vents, Fans, Filters — The Sneaky Spots
Dust hides. Like, really well. You’ll think you got it all… and then sneeze like a maniac when the A/C kicks on.
Clean all your vents and replace the air filters. Clean fan blades. Wipe down exhaust fans.
If you’ve got an air purifier, now’s a good time to let it shine.
Should You Hire Someone Instead?
Honestly? Maybe. If your reno was big, or if you just mentally checked out halfway through this post, call the pros.
There are post-renovation cleaning services in Brisbane that will deep-clean every inch with better gear and more patience than you (probably) have right now. Some even use eco-friendly stuff that won’t irritate your skin/lungs/conscience.
And hey, time is money. Sometimes outsourcing is just the smarter play.
The Aftermath: Enjoying That Sweet Clean Fresh Start
Once it’s done — really done — your place will feel brand new. Like, “invite people over just to show off the bathroom grout” kind of new.
Just remember: Brisbane’s got its quirks. Humidity’s a beast. Dust is clingy. But with a little elbow grease (and maybe a backup vacuum filter), you can kick post-reno mess to the curb and enjoy your space without coughing up gypsum particles.
Now go light a candle, crack open a drink, and bask in the glory of clean.
And if your dog just tracked in mud? That’s tomorrow’s problem.
