Post-Renovation Cleaning Tips for
Boston’s Older Homes

Has the dust finally settled on your historic Boston brownstone or colonial home renovation? While you’ve invested time, money, and energy into bringing new life to your charming, older home, there’s still one important step left before you can kick your feet up: a thorough post-renovation cleaning.

From original flooring to crown moldings, cleaning a historic home can be a little trickier. Let’s discuss how a deep clean can be the final touch to showcase your renovation’s results, and how professional help from The Maids can help. 

The Unique Challenges of Older Boston Homes

Before you dive into cleaning, it’s important to recognize what makes post-renovation cleanup in historic homes different from newer construction. Boston’s older homes come with distinctive features that require special consideration.

Many of these properties are built using historic materials like original hardwood floors, plaster walls, and antique fixtures that need gentle handling. The architectural details, while they add character, are prime spots to collect dust and debris. 

Air quality is another serious concern. These older homes are relics from a different time, so lead and asbestos can’t be ruled out, especially after a big renovation.

Step-by-Step Post-Renovation Cleaning Tips

1. Start with Safety First

Your health and safety should always be the top priority. Before beginning any cleanup, make sure to wear protective masks and gloves to avoid inhaling fine dust particles or coming into contact with potentially harmful residues. Open windows and doors to ventilate the space thoroughly throughout the cleaning process.

We recommend testing for lead or asbestos before beginning a deep clean, especially if your renovation involved disturbing walls, floors, or painted surfaces. This simple precaution can prevent serious health risks.

2. Focus on Hard-to-Reach Areas

Renovation dust has a way of settling in the most unexpected places. Start your cleaning from the top down, tackling the areas that are often overlooked. Clean the tops of cabinets, crown molding, light fixtures, and ceiling fans first to prevent dust from resettling on already-cleaned surfaces.

Pro-tip: Use microfiber cloths throughout your cleaning process—they’re excellent at trapping fine dust particles. 

3. Clean and Protect Original Woodwork

Original woodwork is one of the most valuable, but sensitive, features in a historic Boston home, so treat it with care. Use wood-safe products specifically designed for the type of finish on your floors, doors, and trims. Harsh chemicals can strip away decades-old varnish or damage delicate finishes that are difficult or impossible to replicate.

If you’re uncertain about what’s safe to use, test any cleaning solution in an inconspicuous area first or guarantee a safe, careful clean with a professional cleaning service like The Maids. 

4. Deep Clean Windows and Frames

Historic homes often feature wood-framed or multi-pane windows that are great to look at but require careful cleaning. Construction dust can settle in tracks and corners of these windows, so clean them thoroughly but gently to preserve caulking, glazing, and original finishes. Avoid excessive moisture on wood frames, which can cause warping or damage to old paint.

5. Tackle the HVAC System

Your heating and cooling system has been working overtime during the renovation, and it’s likely full of construction dust. Replace all air filters immediately after renovation work is complete—clogged filters reduce efficiency and continue to circulate dust throughout your home.

If your renovation was extensive, consider having your ductwork professionally cleaned. Clean ducts mean cleaner air and a more efficient HVAC system.

6. Polish Fixtures and Metal Accents

Historic homes often feature detailed brass, bronze, or vintage hardware that adds authentic character. Clean these fixtures carefully, avoiding abrasive scrubbing or harsh chemicals that could damage the metal. Use a cleaner specifically designed for the type of metal you’re working with. If you’re unsure, try it in a small area first. 

7. One Final Sweep from Floor to Ceiling 

Almost done! Now it’s time for a comprehensive, final cleaning. Vacuum all floors or contact The Maids to ensure your floors are being vacuumed with a HEPA filter to capture the finest dust particles. 

For hardwood floors, give it a final mopping using a gentle, appropriate solution for your floor’s finish. Don’t forget often-overlooked spaces like closets and under furniture; these spaces accumulate just as much dust as main living areas.

Where The Maids Comes In 

Large-scale renovations create an enormous amount of dust and debris that can be overwhelming to address alone. Homes with multiple levels or extensive ductwork systems can benefit greatly from professional equipment and expertise. 

If you thought The Maids only specialized in routine cleanings, think again. The Maids can tackle post-renovation cleaning for Boston’s historic homes, backed by our proven 22-step cleaning process and local knowledge of how to properly clean historic homes. We bring professional-grade equipment, including HEPA-filtered vacuums and appropriate cleaning solutions for historic materials, so you can move back into a clean, healthy home.

Sit Back and Enjoy Your Renovation

Once the cleaning is complete, your newly-renovated Boston home can finally shine. All those carefully preserved architectural details, refinished floors, and updated features will look their absolute best in a thoroughly cleaned space.

To preserve your renovation results and keep your home looking its best, consider establishing a regular maintenance cleaning schedule with The Maids. 

Ready to make your renovated, historic home move-in ready? Contact The Maids today. 

Reach out to one of our many Boston area teams, including The Maids in Boston, Greater Boston, North Andover, Stoughton, and more.