Unless you have two residences, then you’re probably stuck living at home while renovations are underway. Anyone who’s had their house remodeled in the past will tell you how much of an upheaval this process is – be prepared for delays, unexpected challenges, and hidden costs. How do you stay on top of it all? This guide is aimed to help you keep a relatively clean house during your renovations:

Buy an air purifier.

Do you notice that your respiratory health is impaired when you spend time at home? It may be from breathing in fumes like formaldehyde, VOCs, and/or airborne fibers. By adding an air purifying unit to your home, you’ll protect yourself from the adverse health effects of these harmful substances. These filters remove toxic particles from the air so that you can breathe safely. Put one in your bedroom so that as you sleep, you’ll be inhaling clean air.

Do a little cleaning each day.

The beautiful result of your remodeling will come at the cost of constant noise, non-functional kitchens/bathrooms, and of course, a big mess. If you wait until renovations are finished to start cleaning, then you’ll wind up with a lot of work on your hands. It’s best to tackle this job in little parts day-by-day. Touch-up cleaning is a quick way to stay on top of things. For 30-60 minutes a day, go over some of the messiest areas with a broom, mop, or cloth with hot water and soap. Better yet, pick up a shop vac to completely eradicate waste materials from your home – one with a HEPA filter is best. You’ll thank yourself for it when the renovations are done.

Keep your end-goal in mind.

Seeing your house become a disaster site is stressful, to say the least. It’s hard to stay sane when you have thousands of dollars on the line, and your house has been torn apart. When you feel anxious about your renovations, look at photos of what you anticipate the final results to be. It will give you the strength to keep going, even when your house is upside down. If you really need a break, try to arrange another place you can sleep for a few days, such as at a friend’s or family member’s home.

Use safe cleaning products.

Most of us use traditional cleaning supplies without thinking twice about them. And why shouldn’t we? We’ve come to trust that what we buy in stores will not harm us. Unfortunately, that is not the case when it comes to disinfecting products. They often release toxic fumes that can make respiratory issues like asthma and allergies even worse. Avoid harmful cleaning chemicals for the health and safety of your family. Instead, look for green and eco-friendly cleaning products.

Ventilate the space.

There’s nothing like the breath of fresh air you get when you open a window – especially during renovations when your indoor air quality is less than optimal. Keep the air circulating when remodeling by opening as many windows as you can. If possible, ask your construction crew to perform some of their work outside. It is important to take proper safety precautions during our home remodel.

Wear a face mask.

Since the pandemic, you’re probably tired of being told to wear a mask – but when you enter a construction site, you need one for an entirely different reason. Masks that filter out dust and debris will protect your lungs from exposure to these irritants. Purchase one at your local hardware store so that you don’t breathe in the dust from construction materials.

Cover furniture with drop sheets.

While you might be tearing your house apart and putting it back together again, you don’t want to do the same with your furniture. Keep your sofas, tables, and electronics safe by placing drop cloths over them. Isolate the renovation area by hanging tarps to seal the debris to as few rooms as possible.

Watch out for water problems. 

Depending on the type of renovations that your house is undergoing, you may be at risk of a water leak. Locate any roof leaks to save yourself from moisture problems and structural issues. It’s best to address these issues ASAP before they give cause for even more renovations.

Check your HVAC filters.

When you renovate, you put your air filtration systems to the test. The filters that are part of your air conditioner or furnace have been working hard to remove contaminants from the air, but once the renovations wrap up, they’re likely at the end of their life cycle. Most HVAC technicians will recommend that you change your filter every 2-3 months, but after a renovation, a new filter is probably in order.

Neat freaks will hate the way their houses look as they’re being renovated, but the above tips can prevent your home from looking like a total mess while remodeling is underway. Remember to take a deep breath, trust the process, and get your camera ready for the photoshoot of your completed renovations.