After sanding the floors, you may be surprised to find your walls covered in dust. Sanding can be one of the messiest projects to complete for home renovation, but luckily, it's pretty easy to clean up. We have researched the best methods to clean dust from your walls after floor sanding, and in this post, we will go over them.
If you've just sanded your floors and need to clean the walls, there are plenty of ways to do this. Some of our top methods include:
- Using a vacuum
- Wiping with a dry cloth/towel
- Using tack cloths
- Using a cloth mop
The above methods can be used individually or in conjunction to remove the sand on your walls altogether. Also, if you want to prevent cleaning your walls, you may want to consider applying a tarp attached with painter's tape before sanding. Regardless, we're here to help you get the job done. Let's get into this post!
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Methods To Clean Dust Off Walls After Floor Sanding
Using A Vacuum
Our first recommendation for cleaning dusty walls is to use a vacuum. You can do this by finding a vacuum with a hose attachment to blow off any sawdust/sand residue. This method should be a good option for removing dust quickly without doing too much work, so it's great for everybody.
You can also use a shop vacuum equipped with a high-quality filter to capture microscopic dust, which may be even better depending on the amount of debris present.
Be sure to apply the blower to the corners of the wall near the ceiling, floor, and adjacent walls.
Check out this shop vac on Amazon.
Wiping With A Dry Cloth Or Towel
You can also try using a dry cloth or towel to remove the dust from your walls, although this method is a bit more tedious than vacuuming. With that said, you want to use a white/light-colored cloth so you can see how much dust you're picking up, so try to keep that in mind.
On top of that, a large towel may also be sufficient, so this is great if you don't own a shop vac or standard vacuum cleaner.
Using Tack Cloths
Next up, you can try using tack cloths to wipe down your dusty walls. These specific cloths' are loosely woven cheesecloth infused with wax, which helps with dirt removal. Using one of these is perfect for dust and debris on your walls and around the baseboards, which makes them a great option.
Be sure to inspect the tack cloth regularly to check for dust accumulation. You can also moisten it to help remove the dust if needed.
See these tack cloths on Amazon here.
Using A Cloth Mop
Last, you can use a cloth mop to complete your clean-up or for the entire process. You want to slightly dampen your mop with water to get the most dust and debris off your walls, although you shouldn't soak them.
Using a cloth mop is a great alternative to traditional cloths/rags and doesn't require as much work, so it's better for those not wanting to break a sweat. That said, using a damp cloth mop should be done in moderation, so try not to saturate your walls with water.
View this cloth mop on Amazon here.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Walls Post-Sanding?
For those wanting to give their walls a deep clean after sanding the floor, there are plenty of easy ways to do this. These include:
Sponge-Cleaning
Using a hand sponge with a telescope attachment is one of the quickest ways to remove sand and debris from your walls. If you're sanding your walls to paint them, this can be especially helpful for preparation.
It may also be helpful to add a small amount of regular dish soap (one teaspoon will do) in a two-gallon bucket full of water to help get rid of the dirt/debris from your walls.
Generally, you want to start at the top of the wall and go left to right, working your way down to remove any dust. Note that you may need to empty the bucket and rinse the sponge several times before the walls are spotless.
Also, be sure to properly ring out the sponge before applying it to the wall, as you don't want the walls to be wet but only slightly moistened with the sponge. If you're planning on painting the wall afterward, be sure to let them dry beforehand.
Vacuuming
If your walls are only slightly covered with dust, vacuuming is another quick way to clean them. Like we said above, you can use a hand-held or shop-style vacuum. However, it's best to use one with an extension hose to reach the top corners of the wall near the ceiling.
Be sure to pay special attention to these areas and the corners of adjacent walls and the floor, as this is where a lot of dust will accumulate once it settles. If needed, go over the areas with a damp cloth afterward.
Spot Cleaning With All-Purpose Cleaner
Sometimes when dusting a wall, you may notice random spots or imperfections such as dirty fingerprints or grime. This is where spot cleaning can be helpful. These areas may take more effort to clean, and using an all-purpose cleaner can quickly eliminate them.
You can also create a cleaner using diluted vinegar and baking soda or lemon juice. Be sure to wipe the wall down with a damp cloth to avoid stickiness and residue after applying the cleaner.
What Is The Best Way To Clean Construction Dust Off Walls?
One of the best ways to clean construction dust off walls is to use a tack cloth, dampen sponge, vacuum, or floor mop with a cover. Any of these methods will work wonderfully to get rid of the dust. Consider using a floor mop with a microfiber cover if you're looking for a speedy way to perform this task.
Not only will it cover a larger area as you wipe the wall, but it also makes it easy to reach the top of the wall without having to grab a stool or ladder.
What Do You Do After Sanding Walls?
After sanding walls, it's best to clean them with a damp microfiber cloth or a floor mop with a cloth attachment. The reason is that a dry cloth may not remove all of the dust, which is a must if you plan to apply primer and paint.
If you paint a surface covered in dust, it will show up in the finish specks, which can be unsightly. Often, you will need to wipe down the walls multiple times to remove all of the dust.
You can also clean the walls using a solution of water and dish soap, diluted vinegar, or a gentle all-purpose cleaner. Be sure to dilute all solutions with at least 1-2 gallons of water and never completely saturate the wall with water or solution.
Next, you'll need to let the walls dry completely before applying a primer and paint. If you don't allow the walls to dry, you'll find the paint peeling away in a few days. Mold may also grow on the wall creating small spots in the finish.
Do I Need To Wash The Walls After Sanding?
You don't necessarily need to wash the walls after sanding, as saturating them with water is never a good idea. However, it is highly recommended that you apply a damp cloth or mop to the walls to eliminate any remaining dust particles.
Doing this will ensure that the walls are completely free of debris before painting, as it can interfere with the adhesion of the paint and primer. It also prevents the dust from spreading throughout your house, which can cause allergy issues if it gets into the vents.
![A female hand in yellow rubber gloves wipes a modern white wall with a microfiber cloth. How To Clean Dust Off Walls After Floor Sanding [4 Easy Methods!]](https://homedecorbliss.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/hand-in-rubber-gloves-wipes-a-white-wall-with-cloth.-How-To-Clean-Dust-Off-Walls-After-Floor-Sanding-4-Easy-Methods.png)
To Conclude
We hope this post has provided you with useful tips on cleaning walls that have become dusty from sanding. As you can see, there are a few methods that you can use, though a dampened cloth or mop will likely be the best solution in terms of effectiveness and efficiency.
And of course, you can also prevent the walls from becoming dusty by simply covering them with a tarp before sanding the floors.
Before you go, be sure to check out our other helpful related posts below!