Introduction

If you have ever been lucky enough to move into a brand new or totally renovated house then the chances are that you have seen the results of a sparkle clean. A sparkle clean is what transforms a newly built property from a completed house to a home.

Contents

Introduction
What is Sparkle Cleaning
What Does Sparkle Cleaning Involve
What Other Types of Cleaning Will do I Need?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Conclusion

There are many cleaning companies that offer numerous cleaning options to the average householder but sparkle cleaning is a relatively unknown offering. We are probably all familiar with end of tenancy cleaning, oven cleaning and even builders cleaning but if you were to ask people ‘What is Sparkle Cleaning?’ you would be faced with quite a few blank faces.

If you have just completed what is probably the biggest purchase of your life you will be looking forward to finally stepping foot inside your new property. You want to feel that you are the first people to cross the threshold, and rightly so. Imagine your dismay if you enter the property and see evidence of previous use, such as remnants of a builders’ lunch, or plaster splatters on the worktop, or even worse evidence of somebody having used your toilet.

A sparkle clean will ensure that your property looks as good as the brochure, or the show home that you visited at the beginning of your house buying journey. Everybody is well aware that building a house is a very messy business, and obviously nobody begrudges the builders their lunch or having to use the facilities but creating the illusion that you are the first people in your fantastic new property can really enhance your experience.

This article will explain what the difference is between a sparkle clean and a builders clean, and what additional benefits there are to having a sparkle clean undertaken.

What is Sparkle Cleaning?

Sparkle cleaning, sometimes referred to as a handover clean is the deep final clean of a new build or renovated property prior to the handover to the new homeowner. Once the build is complete, and the builders clean has already been undertaken a team of sparkle cleaners will be brought in to really make the property sparkle.

This clean is probably the best clean your house will ever receive. Unencumbered by furniture and other personal items the teams of professional cleaners will ensure that every surface that can be shiny is shined, and everything that can be sparkly is sparkled! At the end of a sparkle clean the property should be immaculate and up to showroom standards.

The majority of professional companies are well experienced professionals with a history of working with the major housebuilding companies as well as local independent house building companies. Every room in the property should be literally gleaming. These cleaners have the experience, and the knowledge of the right tools and materials to add that additional sparkle.

This includes adding the finishing touches, and that wow factor to all steel work and taps, tiling and wooden floors to mention just a few. A sparkle clean should really show a house off to its maximum potential.

What Does Sparkle Cleaning Involve?

Obviously different cleaning companies offer slightly different services but some of the most common points are detailed below:

House Exterior

Clean, wipe down, polish and buff window ledges
Clean windows, remove all smudges and fingerprints and safety stickers
Ensure borders and pathways are clean
Clean front door and surrounds
Remove all protective coverings from door furniture if present and polish to a high sheen. All ready for the new homeowner to insert their keys and start their new life
Check any exterior bin or storage cupboards and clean

Entrance Hall

Clean all internal windows and frames – windows and frames will be sparkling, without a fleck of paint, or the slightest smudge or fingerprint
Dust and wipe down all skirting, architrave, doors, frames and sills
Thorough vacuum of all the carpeted areas (if present), final brush to ensure carpet flows in the same direction
Vacuum and mop any hardwood, tiles, vinyl or any other kind of hard floor areas
Check all corners and walls for cobwebs or dusts and wipe down

Living Room

Clean all internal windows and frames – windows and frames will be highly polished and spotless
Dust and wipe down all skirting, architrave, doors, frames and sills
Clean and polish fireplace and mantlepiece
Thorough vacuum of all the carpeted areas (if present), final brush to ensure carpet flows in the same direction
Vacuum and mop any hardwood, tiles, vinyl or any other kind of hard floor areas
Check all corners and walls for cobwebs or dusts and wipe down
Clean and polish all metalware on doors and windows

Kitchen

All kitchen units, worktops, sinks, taps thoroughly cleaned, ensuring all stainless steel areas and appliances are sparkled
Check all labels are removed from kitchen units and appliances and remove any sticky residue
Clean all internal windows and frames – windows and frames will be sparkling, without a single blemish
Vacuum and mop any hardwood, tiles, vinyl or any other kind of hard floor areas
Clean and polish all tiled areas
Clean tops of doors and any architrave
Remove any excess grout from tiles and walls
Check the tops of all cupboards and clean
Check all corners and walls for cobwebs or dusts and wipe down
Clean and polish all metalware on doors and windows

Stairs and Landing

Clean banisters and balustrades
Clean all internal windows and frames – windows and frames will be highly polished and spotless
Dust and wipe down all skirting, architrave, frames and sills
Check all corners and walls for cobwebs or dusts and wipe down
Thorough vacuum of all the carpeted areas (if present)
Clean and polish all metalware on doors and windows
Clean all internal windows and frames – windows and frames will be sparkling, without a fleck of paint, or the slightest smudge or fingerprint

Bedrooms

Clean all internal windows and frames – windows and frames will be highly polished and spotless
Dust and wipe down all skirting, architrave, frames and sills
Check all corners and walls for cobwebs or dusts and wipe down
Thorough vacuum of all the carpeted areas (if present)
Clean and polish all metalware on doors and windows Clean all internal windows and frames – windows and frames will be sparkling
Ensure all cupboards and wardrobes in all areas are dusted and wiped, all handles polished to perfection
Clean and polish any railings on balconies

Bathrooms

Ensure all bathroom areas are clean and sanitary ware is sparkled included tiled walls
Clean and polish all plumbing metalware, taps polished to a high standard
Flush clean and bleach all toilets
Remove any excess grout from tiles and walls
Clean all internal windows and frames – windows and frames will be highly polished and spotless
Dust and wipe down all skirting, architrave, doors, frames and sills
Clean and polish all metalware on doors and windows
Vacuum and mop any hardwood, tiles, vinyl or any other kind of hard floor areas, polished to a high sheen

What other types of cleaning will I need?

Deep Cleaning

Once the sparkle cleaning service has taken place, and you have moved into your new home, you will find that the property gets rather messy and dirty in just a matter of weeks. With all of the moving back and forth, carrying countless boxes, and going up and down the stairs for what seems like forever, it can cause you new property to lose it’s shine.

However, you can make your new home clean and tidy again in no time! One option is to give the property a deep clean, or to hire a professional company to provide a deep cleaning service. If you want to deep clean yourself, follow this checklist to make sure that no spots are left behind.

Kitchen:

Wipe down cabinets – with a damp rag or cloth, gently clean off any dust or dirt on the inside and outside of the cabinet doors, as well as all sides of the cabinets themselves. Do not forget the top too.

Disinfect the sink – give the basin a good scrub with a disinfectant or bleach solution to kill any bacteria lurking inside.

Wipe down the countertops – remove any items on the counters, including appliances and knife blocks, and then use a disinfectant spray or cleaning wipes to get corners and spaces in the back that might not get as much attention throughout the year. While you are there, wipe down the walls or backsplashes, too.

Bathroom:

Scrub all showers, bathtubs, sinks and toilets – before getting started in the bathroom, spray down your tub with multi-purpose cleaner so that it can soak for a while and break up any soap and oil that have accumulated. Do the same with the toilet bowls and sinks. That will make scrubbing that much easier when you circle back to it later.

Wipe down light fixtures, mirrors, and window treatments – take extra time to carefully clean out gunk that has made its way into corners and around edges. Remove any grime or dust that has built up by wiping items down with a little vinegar on a damp rag.

Wash glass shower doors – to clear off that soap scum or water spot, apply some warm distilled white vinegar and let it sit for a half an hour or so, reapplying if needed. Then sprinkle some baking soda on top, and gently scrub the spots away.

You can also use cleaner made specifically made for glass. The product will have instructions on so if you follow them and clean away the moisture properly, you will be left with a shiny clean shower.

Disinfect handles and doorknobs – these are often neglected and can be one of the germiest places in the house, due to their constant use. If you have had lots of people in and out of the house, or you have not wiped them down in a while, it is a good idea to give them a thorough cleaning with a multi-purpose cleaner or disinfectant wipes.

Living Room:

Clean your rugs and carpets – carpet cleaners can be applied to large areas then left to soak and cleaned up, leaving the carpet looking good as new. As this is a big task, it makes sense to leave it until the deep clean. This will make a big difference to the look of the room, leaving it looking fresh and clean.

Polish your wooden furniture – remove any items from bookcases or coffee tables to clean every surface with a dust rag or microfibre cloth, followed by wood cleaner or polish.

Wipe down baseboards, window treatments, light fixtures, and ceiling fans – use a vacuum cleaner extension attachment to reach high ceilings and corners. Remove and launder the drapes and clean the windows with glass cleaner. Do not forget to disinfect door handles here too!

Dust your décor – gently wipe or brush away dust from all your ornaments, picture frames, and clocks. Depending on how many decorative items you keep in your home, this may be the most time-consuming activity you do during your clean.

Clean your electronics – electronics can be one of the most germ filled items in the home. Just think of all the (sometimes sticky) hands that touch it. Give your electronics a good wipe down, including the top of your TV and DVD player. Dust the front of any screens with a microfiber rag or a feather duster, making sure to get the corners.

Bedrooms:

Wash the bedding, including bed skirts, shams and duvet covers – if some of the items are too big to fit in your washing machines, take them to a dry cleaner. Do not forget the pillows!

Dust neglected surfaces, like window treatments, headboards, and ceiling fans – if you have drapes, vacuum or dry clean them, too.

Vacuum or mop under furniture, including behind dressers and under beds – pay extra attention to corners and baseboards.

How to keep you new house clean

If your property does not require such a thorough clean, a big weekly clean will take care of any mess. Much like deep cleaning, you can hire a professional cleaning company to perform this service for you, or you can do this yourself. You should aim to follow our cleaning checklist each week, even more if you live in a high occupancy house. By completing these jobs on a regular basis you will be able to maintain the sheen and sparkle that your house had when the sparkle clean was completed.

Kitchen:

Wipe down countertops and cabinets – using anti-bacterial wipes or a spray and a cloth or rag to clean the countertops and cabinets so that they are clean from the everyday use that causes a builds up of food stains, grease e.c.t

Clean face of appliances – this includes any handles just to make sure that all surfaces are clean as they will have been handled and touched many times during the week

Wipe down stovetop – stoves always have a build-up of food that has escaped while cooking or has spat out while bubbling over. Wiping it down weekly will ensure that the stains come off easily and do not end up being burnt again and again with every use.

Clean inside and around sink – using a spray to clean the sink and taps will ensure that any germs lurking in there are removed. You can also give your washing up bowl a swill to make sure that your dishes are being cleaned in a clean bowl.

Sweep and mop floor – over the week there may have been spillages or food that fell on the floor. While they may have been cleaned quickly at the time, taking the time to mop the floor each week will make sure that it is not sticky and is clean.Take out the bins – taking out the bins is arguably one of the dullest household tasks, but it needs to be done!

Bathroom:

Remove everything from tub/shower – making sure that you remove any products that are in the bath or shower means that you can get to each corner to clean and remove the water circles left behind from the shampoo bottles.

Spray/clean everything with all-purpose cleaner (can use specific cleaners for certain areas for example, toilet cleaner) – spraying the toilet, sink, shower, and bath and leaving it to soak for the recommended amount of time will clean them all effectively.

Scrub tub/shower walls and door (use grout brush in-between tiles as needed) – working in the solutions by scrubbing them and washing them away with water will clean each area well.

Clean shower rack/soap dishes – there can be a build-up of soaps, shampoos, and conditioners that leave marks in the shower racks and soap dishes. Cleaning these will help the general shower and bath area to be clean.

Clean mirror: spray glass cleaner on soft cloth and buff – there can be a build-up of toothpaste and stains on the mirror so giving it a clean each week will make sure that you can see through it easily.

Replace rugs, bathmat, and wastebaskets – when you have cleaned everything and washed the bathmats/rugs, you can replace all the items that you have taken out of the bathroom.

Living Room:

Dust any bookcases, TV stands, shelves e.c.t – remove any items from bookcases or coffee tables to clean every surface with a dust rag or microfibre cloth.

Vacuum floors – giving the floor a good vacuum will remove any bits that have built up from people walking through the house during the week.

Bedroom:

Pick up any items that are on the floor – by the end of the week there may be a build-up of clothes and other items on the floor, part of the regular weekly clean is making sure that everything is hung up, folded or put away where they are supposed to be.

Make bed (wash sheets and pillowcases) – part of a weekly routine is making sure that all the bed sheets, duvets and pillowcases in the house are cleaned and fresh, ready for the next week.

Clean/tidy any vanity areas – going over any vanity areas with a duster will help to keep the area that you get ready clean and sanitary. This is also the chance to put away any items that have moved from their original homes to keep the area tidy.

Clean mirrors – similarly to the bathroom, any mirrors in bedrooms may get dusty and unclean (especially vanity or dressing table mirrors that could have a coating of hairspray on by accident), cleaning any mirrors with glass cleaner will help you to see yourself clearer. Vacuum floors – giving the floor a good vacuum will remove any bits that have built up from people walking through the house during the week.

FAQ’s

How does a sparkle clean differ from a builder’s clean?

A builders clean is exactly what it says. If you have ever had builders working in your home then you will know about what they often leave behind. There are often marks on the walls and floors, rubbish and waste left around, and most annoyingly the ever present clouds of dust that manage to spread through the house settling everywhere no matter how hard you try to prevent it or how often you try to get rid of it. Hard floors, skirting boards, windowsills, and any remaining furniture are all covered with a thick layer of dust, dirt and residue that seems impossible to remove without simply spreading it further.

This is not what a sparkle clean is for, a sparkle clean is undertaken in addition to the builders clean, after all of the dust has settled and the builders are nowhere to be seen. When the team of sparkle cleaners arrive, there should be no building debris or large amounts of dust as this would be disturbed by the cleaning process and make the task almost impossible.

When is a sparkle clean usually performed?

A professional sparkle cleaning service will normally take place once the construction has come to an end, or is in the very final stages. As a sparkle clean should remove all possible traces of the builders ever being there then it makes sense that this service should not be started until all construction work has been completed.

Conclusion

If you have got this far then you should no longer be asking ‘What is Sparkle Cleaning’. You will now understand what is involved in a sparkle clean and what the difference is between this and a builders clean. After a sparkle clean it should almost appear that the property has been almost magically constructed and untouched by human hands. There shouldn’t be the slightest sign of any human intervention, no fingerprints on any shiny surfaces, nothing left in any of the cupboards and everything as good, if not better than new. The appearance of your property on day one should be as good as it will ever be.

If you have ever visited a newly completed new build then you will probably have wondered how everything is so sparkly, now you know!

Remember, a sparkle clean won’t keep your new property shining forever! You will need to have clean regularly, following our top checklist to make sure that your property stays shining for longer.