How To Clean Drywall Dust Off Of Hardwood Floors

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I did some pretty big drywall repair and I've been wet mopping to no avail. Floor still looks cloudy. Not sure if I'm removing finish off the floor as I go or what.

The floor looks awesome when it's still wet. But when it drys you can see what's left in the grain, all the gypsum:

What it looks like with a wet streak:

When it ends up drying, what it looks like:

I've read you could try Vinegar since that binds to the limestone. So far been trying water. What do you think?

: Feb 26, 2005

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you mop your wood floors with water? hmm. I only use an oil soap based cleaner. you can use a wet rag or water based cleaner for spots, but i would avoid it for mopping. I use what is like a modern swifter. but it has a large washable microfiber cloth.

i really like the Method wood floor cleaner. it's what i use, i have not had any trouble with drywall dust. we have done extensive remodeling. I always vacuum as much as i can first though. Finish haze could be caused by water as well. the brush on my vacuum helps get it out of the joints in the pre-finish flooring. ( i cant see the pics)

The Method wood cleaner stuff is what I used, but I used a swiffer-type mop thing and I bet what I did was just swirl the dust around and caked it into the crevices. Maybe I should go boot camp style and get a toothbrush. Not sure how to attack this in a time-efficent manner, should have used a fricken drop cloth.

: Feb 26, 2005

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https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019MMP3XU?psc=1

my mop is like this. ( not sure my the brand, mine is more commercial)

vinegar is not a bad idea, maybe a soft scrub brush

i keep a roll of 4 ft. rosin paper from depot around for drop cloth duties. its pretty cheap and makes for a great fire starter after i use it.

: Feb 4, 2009

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Have you tried a vacuum/shopvac? Basically put the hose on the floor and see if it pulls up the dust.

Have you tried a vacuum/shopvac? Basically put the hose on the floor and see if it pulls up the dust.

I'd need to go buy a new filter first and hope the shop vac will continue to run. It's had its days with drywall dust.

: Jul 18, 2004

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Pick up some distilled water from the grocery store and a fresh mop or pad (whatever you're using). Your floor looks like my dishes if I use tap water without rinse aid or good detergent, and they were allowed to air dry.

: Jan 1, 2005

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I don't think a vacuum or mop will work, as the drywall joint compound is now hardened into your wood flooring. As dionasaur suggested, a tooth brush, or something abrasive to "etch" at the dried compound in the cracks, should work. I would try vinegar and a brush. You want to dissolve and break up the compound.

I don't think a vacuum or mop will work, as the drywall joint compound is now hardened into your wood flooring. As dionasaur suggested, a tooth brush, or something abrasive to "etch" at the dried compound in the cracks, should work. I would try vinegar and a brush. You want to dissolve and break up the compound.

Then I essentially skimmed the floor, making it a smoother surface. Time to paint it! JK, will get a crew cut, garden hose sucking joke and, like a new recruit, rapidly and furiously brush the floor until it shines like the top of the Chrysler building.

: Jan 28, 2002

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Carpet cleaner or wet/dry vac.

Get a quality microfiber rag/cloth and hot water. Press firmly while scrubbing.

I did some pretty big drywall repair and I've been wet mopping to no avail. Floor still looks cloudy. Not sure if I'm removing finish off the floor as I go or what.
The floor looks awesome when it's still wet. But when it drys you can see what's left in the grain, all the gypsum:

What it looks like with a wet streak:

When it ends up drying, what it looks like:

I've read you could try Vinegar since that binds to the limestone. So far been trying water. What do you think?

Did you get any solution ? I am facing same problem . Any help is appreciated... thanks

: Jul 12, 2006

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Try a vinegar + distilled water solution. But try on a discreet spot first. Vinegar is rather good at this type of mess, but it can strip your finish if you aren't careful and let a concentrated amount soak in too long.

lol...necro

anyhoo, maybe that would work. I'm wondering if the poly or wax or whatever was a bit stripped to let the gypsum sink into the grain like that, or maybe gypsum is stubborn like that? ....I wonder if it's actually more efficient in the end to just do a light strip across the entire surface, clean, then re-stain and finish? Bonus would be like having a brand new floor!

: Oct 15, 1999

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Try a vinegar + distilled water solution. But try on a discreet spot first. Vinegar is rather good at this type of mess, but it can strip your finish if you aren't careful and let a concentrated amount soak in too long.
lol...necro

anyhoo, maybe that would work. I'm wondering if the poly or wax or whatever was a bit stripped to let the gypsum sink into the grain like that, or maybe gypsum is stubborn like that? ....I wonder if it's actually more efficient in the end to just do a light strip across the entire surface, clean, then re-stain and finish? Bonus would be like having a brand new floor!

The issue is that the dust is so fine. It finds every tiny crack and fills it. It will also absorb water out of the air and harden in those cracks.

It's not that hard to get out. You just have to reactivate it with water and pull it out with a good shop vac that has a bristle brush for agitation.

: Jul 12, 2006

: 106,462

: 21,540

: 146

The issue is that the dust is so fine. It finds every tiny crack and fills it. It will also absorb water out of the air and harden in those cracks.

Oh, I know how to fix that

I did some pretty big drywall repair and I've been wet mopping to no avail. Floor still looks cloudy. Not sure if I'm removing finish off the floor as I go or what.
The floor looks awesome when it's still wet. But when it drys you can see what's left in the grain, all the gypsum:

What it looks like with a wet streak:

When it ends up drying, what it looks like:

I've read you could try Vinegar since that binds to the limestone. So far been trying water. What do you think?

Did you find a solution to this? A contractor painted my house and now my floors look the same way.

: Oct 15, 1999

: 17,943

: 2,996

: 126

Did you find a solution to this? A contractor painted my house and now my floors look the same way.

Paint over spray is a whole different issue than drywall dust. In some cases it's actually easier to remove. In your particular case, call the contractor you hired and have him remove it. If he refuses, get an estimate to have the floors replaced and sue him for that amount.

Did you find a solution to this? A contractor painted my house and now my floors look the same way.

Nope we just left it. All the floors will need refreshing anyways

: Aug 11, 2001

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Now that you've gotten it wet, it is probably there for good in the cracks and areas where the surface finish is worn off the wood. You could try dying it to match, say a weak tea solution.

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