lesson 4
Sustainable Living: Clean Air And Post-Renovation Care
Lesson 3
Choosing Non-Toxic and Sustainable Materials
Lesson 4
Sustainable Living: Clean Air and Post-Renovation Care
Lesson 5
Final Lesson: Summary and Useful Materials
Lesson 0
Kick-off Lesson
Lesson 1
Sustainable Renovation: Need-to-Know Basis
Lesson 2
Planning Your Sustainable Renovation

HEY! 👋

You made it — you are at the finish line of our Sustainable Renovation Course!

Over the past lessons, we’ve explored how renovation affects your health and environment, why it matters and what you can personally do while making renovations to make a real difference for the planet.

Well, you’ve created a sustainable renovation plan, prepared the required personal protective equipment and even chose and bought all necessary non-toxic and sustainable materials, and started the repairs.
The process turned out to be fascinating, sometimes even surprising (where would a renovation be without it 🤭). Step by step, you methodically approached the implementation of your plans. And here it is: the renovation works were completed without harm to health or the environment.
Or not? 🤔
That's right.
A sustainable approach to renovations includes not only the renovation work itself, but also planning and preparation, as well as — as you already know — certain post-renovation actions.
This is exactly what we will talk about in this lesson, where we will discuss:
  • How to improve indoor air quality after renovation
  • How to choose safe cleaners and home care products
  • How to clean up after renovation
Great!
Then let’s start with the topic that we need like air — air quality after renovation (this is a play of words we came up with 🤭). Watch the video in which our course expert Darya Chumakova shares more details:
  • What are the main indoor air pollutants after renovation and their effects
  • What you can do to improve indoor air quality after a renovation

To have all these important tips on hand whenever you need them, feel free to download this checklist “How to Improve Indoor Air Quality After Renovation”. It will be your cheat sheet when a renovation is finished.

That’s not all that we’ve prepared for you 😊
It’s vital to discuss the last but not the least part of any renovation – cleaning.

Post-renovation cleaning is critical not just for appearance, but for your health, safety, and indoor air quality. Fine dust, chemical residues, and debris left behind from construction can linger in your air, on surfaces, and inside vents. If not properly cleaned, these pollutants can:
  • Irritate your lungs, eyes, and skin
  • Trigger asthma or allergies
  • Damage electronics and finishes
  • Leave invisible contaminants behind
That’s why a thoughtful, step-by-step cleanup is an essential final phase of any sustainable renovation. It protects your investment, your health, and your home’s long-term livability.
But before we look at some post-renovation cleaning tips, we can't skip over how to choose safe cleaning products and home care products. Because how you clean matters just as much as what you clean.
“
Recent research from the American Journal of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine shows that regular household cleaning — especially with sprays and strong chemicals — can lead to long-term declines in lung function, particularly in women. The impact was comparable to smoking 10–20 pack-years.

The Problem with Conventional Products

Many conventional cleaners contain harsh chemicals that pollute indoor air, may irritate your skin and lungs, and can even contribute to chronic health issues. Moreover some household cleaning products — especially sprays, disinfectants, and fragranced items — can:
  • Trigger or worsen asthma and allergies
  • Irritate the skin, eyes, and lungs
  • Disrupt endocrine and reproductive systems
  • Contribute to indoor air pollution and environmental harm
Take it easy!
Choosing safer alternatives is a key step in living more sustainably — and protecting your health after renovation. Following these tips can help you choose healthier cleaning options for your post-renovation home care.

How to Choose Safe Cleaners and Home Care Products

Define your needs
First, determine whether you really need to buy a cleaner and what for.
Explore the ingredients list
Try to avoid products with:
  • High-risk ingredients (сhlorine bleach,ammonia, triclosan, quaternary ammonium compounds (e.g., benzalkonium chloride), hydrochloric or phosphoric acid, ethanolamines and ethoxylated surfactants);
  • Fragrance mixes: fragranced products (air fresheners, laundry scent boosters) often contain phthalates and synthetic musks — known hormone disruptors. In particular, avoid fragrances in products for children, pregnant individuals, or people with allergies.
Opt for eco-friendly packaging
Reduce environmental waste by choosing products in recyclable or refillable containers.
Check warning symbols ↓
Always review household cleaning product warning symbols to ensure safe handling.
  • Environmental Hazard
    What it means: The product may harm aquatic life or pollute water sources.
    Where it’s found: Disinfectants, heavy-duty cleaners, and oil-based agents.
    What to do: Use these products sparingly, follow dosing instructions exactly, and never pour them down the drain.
  • Irritant / Sensitizer
    What it means: The product may irritate skin, eyes, or lungs and could trigger allergic reactions.
    Where it’s found: Laundry capsules, dishwashing tablets, wood polish, fabric sprays.
    What to do: Use gloves, avoid direct contact, and ventilate the area during use.
  • Corrosive
    What it means:
    The substance can cause serious burns or eye damage.
    Where it’s found:
    Toilet bowl cleaners, limescale removers, drain cleaners.
    What to do: Wear protective gloves and goggles, and avoid any skin or eye contact.
  • Flammable
    What it means: Can catch fire easily when exposed to heat or open flames.
    Where it’s found: Aerosols, alcohol-based cleaners, degreasers.
    What to do: Store away from heat sources and open flames. Do not puncture aerosol cans.
Look for eco-certified cleaning products to ensure safer, greener choices ↓
  • EU Ecolabel
    more
  • Nordic Swan Ecolabel
    more
  • Blue Angel
    more
  • Ecocert
    more
  • Ecogarantie
    more
  • Nature Care Product Standard
    more
Check expiration dates
Using expired cleaning products may be less effective and harmful to your health
Use only what you need:
  • Choose mild, low-toxicity products for everyday use,
  • Reserve stronger cleaners for specific, stubborn jobs,
  • Dilute concentrated cleaners properly.
Explore the rules of usage and follow safety tips.
It leads to desired results and protects you and your close people. There are some common recommendations:
  • Always ventilate while and after cleaning,
  • Use gloves while cleaning,
  • Avoid evening use of chemical cleaners,
  • Store products out of children's reach,
  • Never mix cleaning agents unless directed — this can create toxic gases.
Exactly!
Finally, once all the necessary cleaners and home care products have been purchased, it's time to start post-renovation cleaning.
Definitely!
Let’s walk through how to do it right.
  • Use non-toxic or low-VOC cleaning products for health and safety (you already know how to choose them).
  • Wear a mask while cleaning if there's still fine dust in the air.
  • Take your time — post-renovation cleaning may take several passes.
Is the cleaning done?
Congratulations!
When your space is clean, healthy, and safe to live or work in, you've officially completed your renovation 🎉

After all, only by carefully following the cleaning process and choosing safe, eco-friendly products can you help ensure that the space you renovate will contribute to your well-being and the preservation of environmental values.
These are absolutely well-deserved words — especially because now you know:
  • How to improve indoor air quality after renovation
  • How to choose safe cleaners and home care products
  • How to clean up after renovation
If you'd like, you can test your knowledge from this lesson by taking a short quiz. It will help reinforce what you've learned.
Quiz
Final Quiz
Take the quiz
Choose the options to make the statement correct.
In order to improve indoor air quality after a renovation you should…
Not quite. Let’s repeat that. In order to improve indoor air quality after a renovation it’s recommended to:
  • Open windows and doors whenever possible,
  • Use kitchen and bathroom fans,
  • Let new materials off-gas,
  • Use a HEPA-filter vacuum,
  • Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants whenever possible,
  • Avoid furniture or flooring with PVC or antimicrobial coating,
  • Use a portable air purifier.
Not quite. Let’s repeat that. In order to improve indoor air quality after a renovation it’s recommended to:
  • Open windows and doors whenever possible,
  • Use kitchen and bathroom fans,
  • Let new materials off-gas,
  • Use a HEPA-filter vacuum,
  • Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants whenever possible,
  • Avoid furniture or flooring with PVC or antimicrobial coating,
  • Use a portable air purifier.
Great choice! In order to improve indoor air quality after a renovation it’s recommended to:
  • Open windows and doors whenever possible,
  • Use kitchen and bathroom fans ,
  • Let new materials off-gas,
  • Use a HEPA-filter vacuum,
  • Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants whenever possible,
  • Avoid furniture or flooring with PVC or antimicrobial coating,
  • Use a portable air purifier.
Great choice! In order to improve indoor air quality after a renovation it’s recommended to:
  • Open windows and doors whenever possible,
  • Use kitchen and bathroom fans ,
  • Let new materials off-gas,
  • Use a HEPA-filter vacuum,
  • Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants whenever possible,
  • Avoid furniture or flooring with PVC or antimicrobial coating,
  • Use a portable air purifier.
Great choice! In order to improve indoor air quality after a renovation it’s recommended to:
  • Open windows and doors whenever possible,
  • Use kitchen and bathroom fans ,
  • Let new materials off-gas,
  • Use a HEPA-filter vacuum,
  • Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants whenever possible,
  • Avoid furniture or flooring with PVC or antimicrobial coating,
  • Use a portable air purifier.
Not quite. Let’s repeat that. In order to improve indoor air quality after a renovation it’s recommended to:
  • Open windows and doors whenever possible,
  • Use kitchen and bathroom fans,
  • Let new materials off-gas,
  • Use a HEPA-filter vacuum,
  • Choose low-VOC or no-VOC paints, adhesives, and sealants whenever possible,
  • Avoid furniture or flooring with PVC or antimicrobial coating,
  • Use a portable air purifier.
Next
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What does this warning symbol on household cleaning products mean?
You have an enormous memory!
You were close. Actually this symbol means that the product may harm aquatic life or pollute water sources.
You were close. Actually this symbol means that the product may harm aquatic life or pollute water sources.
You were close. Actually this symbol means that the product may harm aquatic life or pollute water sources.
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For which groups of people are cleaners and home care products with fragrances particularly dangerous?
Nice choice
Nice choice
Nice choice
Nice choice
Not really. Cleaners and home care products with fragrances may be very particularly dangerous for children, pregnant individuals, pregnant, elderly people or people with allergies.
Next
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 Is it recommended to mix cleaning agents in order to improve the effectiveness of cleaning?
Fantastic answer.
Never mix cleaning agents unless directed — this can create toxic gases.
Next
Check
Show results
Great job!
Restart
Great job!
Restart
Great job!
Restart
Now you know how to clean up after a renovation in a smart and safe way.
Restart
Well, the course is almost over.
All that's left is to download all the useful lesson materials so that they are always at hand when needed, and also to summarize the course in the last lesson.

We'll be waiting for you there. 👋
Module 5

useful materials:

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality After Renovation
How to Choose Safe Cleaners and Home Care Products
Post-Renovation Cleaning Checklist