How to Clean Drywall Dust Off Painted Walls
There are many ways on how to clean drywall dust off painted walls. The most popular methods involve a wet washcloth, paper towels, or a vacuum cleaner with an attachment hose.
However, other less common ways can be very effective in removing the tiny particles of drywall dust from your wall paint job. One way is to use painter’s tape and press it firmly over the area you want to clean while gently rubbing your finger across it for about thirty seconds.
This will remove all traces of the drywall dust without damaging any of the paint beneath it. Another option is to fill up a spray bottle with water and then spritz on some dish soap before spraying again with just plain water, emitting any remaining dirt particles left on the wall. For those who don’t want to use water, an all-purpose cleaner spray can be used instead. Read n to know more information!
10 Ways on How to Clean Drywall Dust Off Painted Walls:
1. Sweep The Wall Clean With a Broom.
If you don’t regularly use your broom, dust it off thoroughly before sweeping the wall. The cleaner you make your walls before cleaning them, the easier they will be to clean and get drywall dust off painted walls.
2. Use a Wet Sponge to Clean Off the Dust.
Once you’ve swept off as much dust as you can, get out your sponge and wipe down the wall with water. Blot up any excess moisture with a towel before it has time to soak into the paint or drywall compound of the wall.
3. Add vinegar to the water.
Adding white vinegar to your cleaning water will help break up the sticky residue left behind by drywall dust. Mix in an equal part of vinegar for each cup of clean water you add to your sponge or use 2 cups of straight vinegar if you want to skip adding water altogether.
4. Use a Mild Dishwashing Liquid Soap.
Mild dishwashing liquid soap, such as castile soap, will help break up the greasy residue left behind by drywall dust. Mix in an equal part of water to each drop of dishwashing liquid before adding it to your sponge or spray bottle.
5. Use a Spray Bottle to Mist the Wall.
Use an empty spray bottle (or one you don’t mind using for non-consumables) to mist the wall while cleaning it with your vinegar and water solution. You can also add a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap if you like, though this can get messy if it’s not contained.
6. Use a Soft Brush to Scrub the Wall.
Once your cleaning solution is ready, dip in a soft brush and scrub the wall in sections before rinsing each section with water in your spray bottle. This will help break up any stuck-on drywall dust that’s still clinging to the walls after you’ve mopped the walls clean with your sponge.
7. Use a Wet Cloth to Wipe the Wall.
Use a damp cloth to wipe down the walls to remove any remaining residue from drywall dust and mild soap. Be sure to rinse out your sponge between wipes as you go so that soap doesn’t remain on the walls when you’re done cleaning them.
8. Buff the Walls With a Dry Towel.
After wiping down your walls with a cloth, dry them with a clean towel and buff off the remaining residue from the cleaning process. This will prevent streaks and smears from forming on your painted walls as you go.
9. Rinse Out Your Sponge.
Don’t forget to rinse out your sponge when you’re done cleaning the walls with it! The more soap and drywall dust residue that remains on your sponge, the less effective it will be when you use it again in the future.
10. Let the Walls Dry Completely.
Give your walls time to dry completely (at least 24 hours) before you go to paint them. Moisture in the walls can cause paint to bubble or peel, so always give your painted walls time to dry out before fully putting other coats on them.
Some Tips and Suggestions:
1. To remove the dust, use a vacuum cleaner with a crevice attachment. It may be helpful to brush the wall lightly first, which is said to make the surface more porous, allowing more of the drywall dust particles to be absorbed by your vacuum cleaner’s hose. But even if you don’t brush it first, most of it will still come off.
2. If you’re using a canister vacuum cleaner, it’s possible that the suction will pull some of the drywall particles out of the crevice attachment. Still, if the dirt receptacle is attached to your vacuum cleaner, at least 90% of those dust particles should remain in your vacuum cleaner’s hose.
3. If you’re using a carpeted floor or any other type of surface that may transfer dust to your vacuum cleaner’s hose, cover it up with an old sheet or blanket to help prevent the dust from spreading around.
4. Make sure to get rid of all your drywall dust by vacuuming it off! And remember to remove the sheet or blanket you used to cover up your carpeted floor before vacuuming it. Otherwise, all your hard work will be for nothing!
5. To clean any remaining dust off of the wall, use a damp sponge or rag that has been moistened with water and dish soap.
6. If you’re worried about getting yourself dirty, you can always ask a friend or family member for help.
Conclusion:
To have the best chance of removing drywall dust, you should start by cleaning up any loose material. Once it is clear that there isn’t anything else to vacuum or wipe off your walls, use a damp cloth and mild soap solution to clean the area. You can also try using a dry sponge with soapy water for an even easier way to remove all traces of this pesky residue from your freshly painted walls!
We hope this blog post on how to clean drywall dust off painted walls was helpful to give you some guidance on sanding drywall. Now that your walls are clean and protected, you can admire the beautiful results of your hard work in making them look fabulous! If you have any questions or comments about this blog post, please feel free to contact us at any time!
