How to Keep Your Home Clean While Remodeling
First remove everything that you can from the area that you are remodeling. Start with items that you use for decoration. Carefully wrap these items and place them in a box. Store them far away from the remodeling area so they do not become dusty or accidentally broken. Also remove items inside cabinets and drawers. Use one box per cabinet or drawer and clearly label the outside. That way you can be certain that everything will end up in the proper location.
Next remove any furniture in the area. See if you can redistribute the furniture throughout the other rooms in your home during the remodel. Paint, stain, and the occasional rogue tool often damage furniture left in a room that is being remodeled.
If you are doing a lot of remodeling work, consider removing light fixtures and fans. This will protect them far better than a drop cloth from dust and paint. Wrap any breakable parts carefully and plan on reinstalling once the job is complete. As with any electrical work, be sure to turn of the circuit to that room before removing anything.
Cover the floor with a heavy drop cloth before beginning any large remodeling project. If you are using paint, you make sure you are using a plastic, not canvas drop cloth. Also consider attaching heavy plastic to doorframes to prevent the dust from traveling throughout the house.
If you will not use the room during the remodel, bring in all of the tools you will need to complete the job. Also set up things you will need during the process, such a sawhorse or ladder. Resist the urge to start a project and then go looking for the proper tools. Chances are you will track dust and debris all over the rest of your house.
If you are doing the work yourself, change into old clothes before working. Before leaving the room you are working on, be sure to dust off any debris that might have collected on your shoes or shirt. When outside the room, take off soiled clothes and immediately transfer them to the washing machine. Take a shower to remove grim if you were working with drywall or paint.
If you are using a contractor, make sure to determine before signing a contract the person that is responsible for disposing of any waste. Even a small project can generate scraps of lumber and drywall that must be disposed of. Some city waste disposal companies will not take this type of waste, so call the town office or your disposal company to find out their policy. Do not be surprised if you get charged a fee to throw away some waste.
Remodeling projects have a tendency to stretch must longer than originally anticipated, causing anxiety for members of the house. Be sure to create a plan and time schedule for your remodeling job and stick with it. If you find yourself lagging behind, get some help from a friend or call a contractor. If you do use a contractor, set up a pay schedule that is dependent on specific jobs getting done. This way you can encourage your contractor to stick to the original schedule.
When your remodeling job is finished, carefully replace the items you removed. Start with larger furniture and light fixtures, and finish with decorative items. Now is a good time to clean and polish items that may not regularly be cleaned. You may find that you are looking forward to household chores after the alterations are complete in your home.
