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Drywall is notorious for making a mess during installation and repair. Even the most experienced professional contractor leaves dust behind when cutting, sanding and finishing drywall.
Unfortunately, you can’t just sweep this dust away. If it is mixed in the air, traditional brooms are useless and it seems to stick to the drywall like glue. So how do you clean your walls quickly and efficiently?
In this article, I will discuss simple ways to get rid of drywall dust that is mixed in the air or settled on surfaces. With my help, your walls will be back to their original state before you know it!
By the way, before I get too far here, if you want to connect with other homeowners and builders and get more great ideas for your home to make your space the best, join my free private Facebook group , Reshape Reality here.
Tools and materials
Tools and materialsDrywall dust is an all-too-common problem when doing renovations to your home, and dust can linger on walls long after construction or remodeling projects are complete. Cleaning drywall dust from walls can seem daunting, but with the right tools and materials, it’s a relatively simple task that can be completed quickly and efficiently.
Having the right tools and materials for cleaning walls will make all the difference. Here are some items you’ll need before you get started:
- Dust masks to protect against dust inhalation
- Wipes and cleaning cloths
- Vacuum cleaners and accessories for dust removal
- Abrasive papers for smoothing walls
- Paint and paint sprayers for finishing
Surface preparation
When we hung drywall during our remodel for my mom’s new living space, the entire area was covered in dust. The only thing that kept it from being ignited and in everything was plastic wrap that I had hung up to keep it from floating around the house. Even then it seemed like it was still everywhere!
When preparing your surfaces for cleaning, there are a few steps you should take to ensure you get the best possible result. Here’s how it’s done.
Cover surfaces to protect against splashes and spills
First, before you start cleaning, it’s important to protect the surrounding area from any mess by covering anything that might be splashed or splashed. A drop cloth is an ideal way to protect your floor and furniture and is also reusable.
Sand the walls to create a smooth surface
Sanding the walls is another important step before cleaning, as this creates a smooth surface that can be easily wiped or painted when you’re done. Sanding also helps the paint stick to the wall better, creating a much more professional finish than not sanding at all.
Dust the drywall using a vacuum cleaner with a soft-bristled suction head
Be sure to vacuum up any drywall dust with a soft-bristled attachment on your vacuum so it doesn’t spread throughout the area; using something too stiff or sharp could damage the wall surface.
Use an adhesive cloth to remove any remaining dust
After vacuuming, use a tack cloth to pick up any extra dust, dirt, and debris that was missed before moving on to the next step of the project safe in the knowledge that you’ve properly prepared your walls for painting or cleaning.
Cleaning the walls with water
Water cleaning is an effective and simple way to get rid of plasterboard dust from walls. To do this, wet a microfiber cloth in cold or warm water and wipe the walls, starting from the top and working down.
Microfiber cloths work like a charm! They work so well because they are soft and absorbent, making it easier to pick up drywall dust while cleaning.
Be sure to periodically rinse and wring out the microfiber cloth while mopping the walls; this will help prevent dust from spreading, which can make your cleaning task even more difficult.
If there’s a particularly stubborn area that won’t come off with just plain water, try making a soapy solution by adding a few drops of dish soap to the water.
Apply this soap mixture to the dirty wall area with a damp cloth and rub gently. Once done, go over the same spots again with clean water to remove any traces of soap residue before drying everything using another clean cloth.
Once you’ve finished cleaning the walls, it’s especially important to give them one last good wipe down using another dry cloth; this will leave a flawless finish while also preventing water spots or streaks due to the presence of residual moisture. Following these steps diligently will definitely guarantee your walls are clean and ready for whatever project you have in store for them!
Other cleaning methods
If you want to clean drywall dust from your walls, there are a few other options you can use. A simple way to start is to take a clean, soft, dry cloth and wipe down the wall. This works great for light dust and any residue that may be left on freshly painted walls.
If there is dust and heavier debris on the walls, you may want to consider using a vacuum with a dust brush. These attachments are specially designed to remove dust without damaging the surface and will help ensure your walls look nice and clean after all the dust has settled.
Another option to think about is applying a coat of paint to the entire wall. Paint is an effective way to seal dust so it doesn’t get into the air.
Be sure to let the walls dry completely before applying any paint, and be extra careful between each coat so that neither coat mixes with dirt or other particles resting on the walls.
If deep cleaning is required — such as after contractors have finished work on your home — it may be best to hire experienced professional cleaners who have the right equipment and know how to do a flawless job. Professionals can make sure your home looks flawless when they’re done so it’s ready for all the next steps in the process.
Joint cleaning compound
When working with drywall, joint compound is an essential part of the process. It’s what you use to fill and cover the seams between sheets of drywall, but it can also be a bit of a challenge to clean up. If left behind, it can create a layer of dust that is difficult to remove.
If you are working with wet or semi-wet joint compound, cleaning it is relatively easy. Universal joint compound is water soluble, so all you have to do is take a damp cloth and gently remove any residue from the surface.
You can also soak any tools you are using in hot water for about 10 minutes to make sure all the mud comes off easily. If necessary, gentle washing with warm water will help remove any remaining residue.
If the compound has dried and hardened, your job becomes much more difficult. Water won’t do much here, so you’ll have to resort to sanding or scraping.
Depending on how smooth you want your finish to be, choose either 150-grit sandpaper, which will give a smoother finish, or 80-grit sandpaper if there are rougher areas that need work on. If the surface is particularly delicate, tap it gently with a rubber mallet or cloth-wrapped mallet before scraping off anything still stuck with a plastic.
To recap: joint compounds come in different states that require different cleaning methods – wet/semi-wet compound can be easily cleaned with warm water and a little elbow grease, while dry compounds need more difficult techniques such as sandpaper and scraping.
By understanding how each type should be treated, you can keep your walls clean and looking good in no time.
What have you found that works best for you? Let me know in the comments below!
Next steps
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