Cleaning Drywall Dust from Hardwood Floors

There are times in just about everyone's life as a homeowner or adult that we end up needing to get drywall dust off of the floor. Most often this happens when we have some kind of a renovation project going on in the home, like when new cabinetry is put in. Another time when we can find ourselves trying to clean drywall dust from our floors is when some kind of accident takes place that damages the walls to the point that the drywall begins to crumble (pretty common with children, believe it or not).

Trying to clean or remove drywall dust from hardwood floors can often provide problems that are not found in regular carpeting or other types of flooring. Usually this is because of all the small nooks, crannies, cracks, and crevices that can be found in just about all hardwood floors. Well, luckily cleaning drywall dust from hardwood floors doesn't have to be a big, drawn-out experience, but rather something that anyone can do in just a few minutes.

1. Sweep. The very first step that you should do when cleaning drywall dust is to sweep it up. This may sound kind of elementary to say, but many people skip this step and end up making a larger mess than they would have otherwise. Use a regular broom and dust pan to get as much of the dust up as you possibly can. Since we are talking about dust, you might need to sweep the room several times due to the dust getting kicked up and resettling. Allow a good fifteen minutes between each sweeping for the dust to settle.
2. Vacuum. Once you have removed the majority of the dust with the broom and dustpan, vacuum the rest. Use a shop-vac with a HEPA filter in place to limit the amount of dust that gets blown around. The increased suction from the vacuum should be able to work out the remaining dust from all of those crevices that give wood its unique look so prized by homeowners.
3. Mop. Finally, to help restore the look of the wood, you are going to want to mop it. Use a product that is safe for your kind of flooring and warm water. Allow the floor to thoroughly dry before you use it. Repeat this step as necessary until you are satisfied with the results.

The best way to clean drywall dust from your hardwood floors is to not have to do it at all. Put a drop cloth down before doing any renovations that are going to include the cutting or placing of drywall anywhere near hardwood floors. This helps to protect the vast majority of the flooring from the dust, and at the same time saves you valuable time in cleanup.