Cleaning new floors, tiles and glass
Grout haze comes off porcelain and ceramic tiles with a haze remover, but acid must never touch natural stone. Paint on glass comes off with the glass wet and a new blade held flat, tested on a corner first. Fresh silicone is left for about a day, and new timber floors get a vacuum and a barely damp mop with a pH-neutral cleaner.
Each new surface has its own method, and a few things that ruin it.
Free and no obligation. Your plan goes to one company, not a list.
- 10surfaces covered
- 0acid on natural stone
- 24 hrsfor fresh silicone to cure
- Flatthe blade on glass, glass wet
Surface by surface
| Surface | How it's cleaned | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Porcelain and ceramic tiles | Grout haze remover once the grout has cured, then rinse | Check it suits the grout: epoxy grout needs its own remover |
| Natural stone: limestone, marble, travertine | A pH-neutral stone cleaner | No acid or vinegar: it etches the surface |
| Glass and mirrors | Wet the glass, lift splashes with a new blade held flat, then wash | Some makers advise against blades on toughened glass: test a corner |
| uPVC and aluminium frames | Peel the film, wipe with mild detergent | Film left in the sun bakes on. No solvents or scourers |
| Lacquered or oiled timber floors | Soft vacuum head, then a barely damp mop and pH-neutral cleaner | Standing water swells boards; ask how long an oiled finish needs |
| Laminate and vinyl | Vacuum, then a damp mop | No steam mop unless the maker allows it |
| Carpet | Several passes with an industrial vacuum | Heavy plaster dust may need a hot-water extraction clean |
| Stainless steel and appliances | Peel the film, wipe along the grain | No scouring pads |
| Taps, chrome and sanitaryware | Plastic scraper for plaster, then a mild cleaner | Nothing abrasive on chrome |
| New paint | Dust with a soft cloth, spot-clean gently | Fresh paint marks easily until it cures |
The order of work
- Top down, so dust falls onto surfaces not yet cleaned.
- Dry before wet: vacuum the dust before any cloth touches it.
- Splashes before polish: paint, plaster and grout off first, then the final wipe.
- Floors last, working towards the door.
Plan your after builders clean
A few quick taps: the clean your job needs, what it costs and how long it takes. Contact details come last, and only if you want a fixed price.
One builders clean of a three-bed house, after a new build: €350 to €700.
How the estimate is worked out
The ranges are what Irish cleaning companies charge for the same clean: the lowest to the highest figure for a home of that size, or per m² for a commercial unit. A smaller home's three-stage clean is its builders clean plus a sparkle clean. Use it to plan with: the company fixes the price after seeing the job or photos of it.
Questions before you book
How do I get grout haze off new tiles?
Once the grout has cured, with a grout haze remover that suits the tile and the grout. Acid removers are for porcelain and ceramic only.
How do I get paint off new windows?
Wet the glass and lift the paint with a new blade held flat, in one direction. Some makers advise against blades on toughened glass, so test a corner first.
Can I steam mop a new floor?
Not laminate, vinyl or timber unless the maker says so: heat and moisture can damage the joints and the finish.
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Get the dust out before you move in
Pick the job, the home and the clean to see the price and how long it takes. When you want a fixed price, your plan goes to a single vetted cleaning company for your area.