Post Reno Guide On Maintaining Your New Design
New furniture and a Renovation are an investment and you’ll want to take the proper steps after project completion in order to protect and maintain your new space. We’ve put together a ‘how-to guide’ on how to maintain your renovation. Follow our guide and your new space will stay fresh and last the test of time! In the end, we share what our personal favourite cleaning products and tools are.
Post Reno Guide
- Using coasters is an effective way to protect the surfaces around your home.
- Wipe spills as soon as they happen.
- After cooking, use hot pads under hot dishes when placing on counters and tables.
- Use a damp, microfiber cloth for everyday spot cleaning.
- Read the back of cleaning products as each product and use is different.
- Avoid using harsh chemicals that can break down materials and finishes.
- When testing out a new product, always spot test in a hidden area.
- When moving furniture, pick up, never push or pull to prevent scratches and scuffs on the floor.
- Use indoor slippers and pick a designated spot for your outdoor shoes.
- Keep all your cleaning supplies in one area for easy access.
Carpets & Rugs
Vacuum at a minimum once weekly. Dust, dirt, and allergens are notorious for hiding in your carpets and rugs. If neglected, this can lead to health issues. Waiting too long in between vacuuming can cause the fiber and strands to break down. Grime and spills absorb quickly, if something spills, attend to it immediately. Blot at the spill, rather than rubbing the area back and forth as this can cause more damage.
If you have pets,
you should vacuum every day, especially if your furry friend is prone to shedding.
If possible, remove your carpet/rug and vacuum the floor underneath. To prevent carpet or rug matting and crushing, make sure to rotate these pieces around regularly. Additionally, you’ll want to place a carpet underpad before you place your area rug on the floor. This allows for an extra cushion on your foot in addition to protecting your floors. You can also purchase ‘carpet and area rug stain spray’ or a ‘protective/antibacterial spray’. Not all vacuums and sprays are made the same so do your research and find one that works best for you.
Upholstery
Like carpets and rugs, vacuum your upholstered furniture once a week. Most vacuums come with an upholstery attachment, if yours doesn’t, purchase a portable one with an area for a cleaning solution. It’s recommended you don’t eat or drink on your sofa but movie nights wouldn’t be the same.
If you happen to spill something, avoid rubbing at it. The best way to prevent spreading and absorption is to blot with a microfiber cloth or similar. Don’t use stiff fiber or metal brushes as these can damage the fabric.
To remove
soils and stains, spray the fabric
with a furniture upholstery cleaner.
Cleaning solutions are all different, some require dilution and others require pre-treating. Make sure to read the bottle for directions and avoid using harsh soaps and abrasive cleaners. If stains are persistent, you may want to reach out to a professional for help. Keep your sofas and beds fresh by not sitting in your outside clothes.
If you have pets, vacuum more frequently. Don’t forget to remove the cushions and vacuum in-between seams. Rotate your cushions as necessary to keep them looking and feeling full.
Not all fabrics are the same so that’s why we’ve put together a series of blogs where we chat about natural fabrics, synthetic fabrics, and why and how they get classified.
Countertops, Tile & Flooring
For countertops and flooring, mop and wipe frequently, and don’t let food or spills dry on surfaces. Stone and tile can scratch easily, so make sure to use non-abrasive cleaning supplies. Sand, dirt, and grit are the biggest culprits that can cause damage so use mats inside and outside an entrance to minimize sand, dirt, and grit.
For persistent stains, leave the product on for longer. You may need to repeat the steps as instructed in the product directions. Stone experts recommend using a PH-neutral stone cleaner. Avoid products that are acidic such as vinegar and lemon-based cleaners. Alternatively, mild dish detergent and water work wonders.
Limescale,
grime, water
stains, or soap residue can be minimized by
using a squeegee after each use.
Wood Furniture & Flooring
Like stone and tile, wood scratches. To prevent this, dust with a microfiber cloth or similar. Wipe wood furniture with mild dish detergent and water or other wood furniture-friendly sprays. To protect water stains from settling in, use coasters and placemats and wipe spills immediately.
For hardwood flooring, use a quality wood floor cleaner to clean and maintain. Use a product that leaves no build-up or residue such as PH-neutral, non-toxic/biodegradable products. Avoid products that are acidic such as vinegar. Vinegar, bleach, and similar products can deteriorate the finish and seal. Avoid soap-based, wax, and steam cleaners as these will leave a residue.
It’s a good idea to deep clean and polish your floors once a year.
This will ensure your floors restore shine looking brand new again. Refinishing your floors is typically recommended every seven to ten years and you’ll definitely want a professional to do this for you!
It’s important you know that real wood expands and contracts when exposed to warm and humid weather. Try to maintain a comfortable environment and temperature in order to prevent warping. Purchasing a dehumidifier is a great idea, they come in various sizes and absorb excess moisture from the air!
Glass & Mirrors
If your mirror is dusty, make sure to remove these particles prior to wiping. Avoid using a ‘swirling motion’ when cleaning mirrors, streaks will show once the light hits the surface. Instead, wipe from top to bottom then side to side. There are tons of glass and mirror sprays on the market so test some out to find your favourite! Alternatively, you can always keep it simple and use a damp cloth.
Like stone and tile, glass and mirrors scratch so don’t use abrasive cleaners and tools.
Stainless Steel & Reflective Surfaces
Luckily keeping your stainless steel appliances and other reflective surfaces sparkly and shiny isn’t hard! For the most part, simply wiping your appliances with a cloth and hot water will do the trick. If smudges or stains persist, use mild dish detergent mixed with water or a dedicated stainless steel cleaner like a spray or wipes. Like wood, stainless steel has grain so for best results, wipe away in the direction of the grain.
If you want to add some shine, use a cleaning and polishing spray.
Faucets & Plumbing
Cleaning your faucets requires very little effort! Avoid using harsh cleaning products or abrasive tools, especially on faucets with finishes like matte/flat Black. All you need is a damp cloth and mild dish detergent or a dedicated faucet cleaner. Make sure you dry your faucets right away to prevent water stains.
Take care of the drain as well, avoid food build up and never pour grease down the drain. You’ll want to clean your showerheads and faucet sprays periodically. Simply unscrew and soak in a solution like vinegar.
You’ll also want
to use a drain cover or protector since soap chunks, hair and others can cause clogs.
Make sure to discard items properly. Your toilet is not a trash can, don’t flush just anything down as this leads to clogs and hefty bills. Keep an eye out for any leaks to prevent water damage to your floors, walls, and cabinets.
Walls & Baseboards
Unfortunately, our walls and baseboards take a lot of damage as folks tend to bump/walk into them. Paint chips, walls dent, and scuff marks show. Lack of maintenance can make a home look old and unkept.
When it comes to scuff marks, simply wiping at the mark with a damp cloth tends to do the trick. If the mark persists, you’ll want to dilute some mild dish detergent with warm water and try again.
For chipped paint, patch painting isn’t recommended as the differences between fresh and old paint shows, especially when the sun hits. Because of this, we always recommend repainting the entire area.
Luckily,
paint matching
isn’t hard.
You can either reach out to your designer and get the exact specification or you can scrape off a piece of the paint from the wall and colour match at a paint or hardware store. Patching and repairing holes, dings, and dents before painting is highly recommended. Small damage can easily be repaired by spackling and sanding.
Level Studio’s Personal Cleaning Favourites!
Luca: Vim Cream for shiny and clean countertops and tile. Never fails.
Vinh: Dust Buster! It’s portable and gets the job done.
Carol: Bissel Little Green Pro Heat. It’s great for upholstery, and mattresses.
