How To Clean Drywall Dust Off Wood Floors In 7 Easy Steps

Open all the windows and wipe down the walls. Sweep the room thoroughly, vacuum up the floor and wipe down with soapy water and vinegar mixture.

After getting a renovation job done in my house a few months ago, I noticed the most bizarre sight; the drywall installation left a lot of dust. Those particles remained in my house for what felt like weeks.

I tried everything to get them out, like airing the house out, but the particles persisted. The worst part was the damage it did to the wooden floor finish. Every space, crack, and furniture opening was filled with the residue of this drywall.

The irony is that you cannot find the solutions to drywall dust in the average flooring article, and it took me a few weeks to figure out the tricks I’m about to show you.

how to clean drywall dust off wood floors

Supplies You’ll Need to Clean Drywall Dust Off Wood

You don’t need a trip to Home Depot to clean drywall dust off word. Most of the supplies you need to clean drywall dust are things you probably already own at home. If you don’t have any of these already, you can surely get them at a nearby supermarket;

  • A broom
  • Vacuum
  • Clean water
  • Drop cloths
  • Nose mask
  • Microfiber
  • Liquid soap

Steps To Clean Drywall Dust Off Wood Floors 

Step 1: Open Up The Windows

Opening the windows is the first step to clearing out a dust-filled room. This will increase the ventilation within the space and reduce the probability of dust resettling back into the space. Put off every form of artificial ventilation, such as air conditioners and fans.

Step 2: Blow Dust Out With A Fan

The truth is not all dust can be captured by the cleaning process. Place a fan at the windows to direct the dust out of the room. The more dust you have leaving the room, the better.

Step 3: Prep The Area

Wipe off the walls, ceiling, and other surfaces on which the drywall particles may have settled with water and a towel. This will reduce the likelihood of dust falling from these surfaces and settling back on the floor you are about to clean.

Step 4: Sweep The Room

sweep floor to clean drywall dust off wood floors
  • Sweep out the room multiple times if necessary. If you installed a drop cloth, this would reduce the number of rounds you have to sweep.
  • Ensure that the sweeping is thoroughly done as excess dust will clog up and damage the vacuum.
  • Keep the sweeping mild but thorough, as too intense sweeping will raise dust which will settle after the process has been done.

Step 5: Vacuum The Space

  • Vacuum the room, starting from the edges and corners. The apertures are where the majority of the dust stays lodged.
  • Work your way to other parts of the room. Wet/dry vacuums are best advised to carry out the vacuuming.

Step 6: Mop With A Water And Soap Solution

  • Dampen the cloth in water and use it to wipe down the wooden floor.
  • After a few rounds with clean water, dampen the cloth with soapy water and wipe down again.

Step 7: Wipe Down With Vinegar Solution

  • Add vinegar to warm water in a ratio of 1:3. Squeeze the cloth properly and use it to wipe it down again. Vinegar is well known for its natural disinfectant and degreasing properties.
  • Repeat this process till the cloudy film has been wiped off the floor.
  • Change the vinegar solution as many times as necessary until the floor has been satisfactorily cleared.
  • Rinse out the vinegar solution with clean water until all soap and vinegar residue is cleaned off
  • Air-dry the room by leaving all ventilation channels open.

Things To Note

Although drywalls are not toxic, they may contain silica which is harmful when inhaled. It is advisable to use a nose mask before cleaning the drywall.

  • Open many air outlets before this procedure as drywall particles can harm the eyes.
  • It is advisable to take an hour to two between the steps to settle the dust.
  • Always use a drop cloth before you get work done on your drywall. This will collect large chunks of dust, protecting your floor and saving you the time and stress of cleaning.

FAQs On How To Clean Drywall Dust Off Wood

Can I Use Any Clean Rag To Clean Drywall Dust Off Wooden Floors?

Using a microfiber cloth is more advisable than any regular cloth. Microfiber cloths capture and hold debris, while regular cloth materials may just move the dust around without getting rid of them.

Which Vacuum Is Better For Cleaning Drywall Dust?

It is advisable to use an industrial Shop-Vac vacuum because it easily picks up fine particles that regular shop vacs cannot. Also, shop vacs may get clogged and damaged by the dust from drywall.

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