Advice for post-construction dust - YouLookFab Forum

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Advice for post-construction dust

viva

Veteran

Last week we moved every stick of furniture out of our (thankfully tiny) house to have the wood floors refinished on 2 floors. I stopped by yesterday to take a look; we move back in next Wednesday.

OMG there is dust EVERYWHERE. I am planning to take the day off Wednesday to clean the house before furniture moves back in.

Any advice on the best approach / best products for cleaning construction dust from walls, windows, ceiling fans, appliances etc? I even have to hose down the deck!!!

Many thanks in advance.

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18 replies

Latest reply was from Stagiaire Fash

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

I’ve sanded my floors before, so I think I know what you’re talking about. I can’t believe the company that did yours didn’t warn you about the dust!!! When I did mine, it was kind of a trendy thing to do, and there were a bunch of places to rent the machines. Anytime I talked about this with anyone who had done it, the dust was one of the biggest topics of conversation. They should’ve draped things for you, or made sure you knew to do it.

I don’t have particular advice now, other than the obvious—dust from the top down, starting with light fixtures and walls. Even untextured walls can have dust cling to them, but I guess you know that now. Put on peppy music and make a workout out of it, a la karate kid? Best of luck getting it all cleaned up!

If anyone wants to start a betting pool on long it will be until you find the last little cache of dust in a place you didn’t expect it, I’m in! I’ll go easy and say 6 months.

viva

Veteran

haha! Yes, I did expect dust and they did warn me, and they draped the built-ins, appliances, etc. But still, dust is insidious by nature and the house is so much worse than I expected! They may do a nice cleanup before they turn the house back to me, but I want to be prepared. And I won't be surprised to find that little cache in six months!!!

Glory

Veteran

Oh yes this can be a real issue. We had this done a few years ago and there was dust everywhere. I had to go through the house multiple times with a vacuum. Then I used a swiffer twice. I also recall using an air filter which I rented for one week.

Anonymous

If it's that bad, I'd suggest a commecial cleaner- like the sort that does restorations. You don't need to be breathing in all that stuff!

Anonymous

They should clean up their mess! That's no way to leave a customer's house. I hope they do.

rachylou

Veteran

Damp cloths! You don’t want to merely stir up the dust and have it settle back. Also face mask! Also, change the air filters!

Irina

Veteran

I know only one solution - vacuum cleaning. We sanded out stairs years ago and despite best efforts, dust was everywhere. I didn’t want to use anything wet, was afraid of smudges on our white walls, so we vacuumed wall, floors, all of it.

Joyce B

Veteran

A good face mask, industrial grade if possible would be best for protecting you while you clean.
Hopefully they will clean before leaving but if not, would it be possible go get a cleaning service just so that you don’t get all that dust exposure?

viva

Veteran

Cardiff girl

Veteran

Hoover everything really well then damp dust it all.Good luck,it’s a mamouth task getting rid of dust.we not only have wooden floors that need sanding but our house has black coal dust in the walls which every time we have work done gets every where.We always try and zone off the work areas with plastic sheeting in advance if possible but l have had to deal with quite a few instances when this was not done so you have my sympathy.

MsMary

Veteran

I agree with the suggestion to get a pro in to take care of it. And honestly I'd complain to the flooring contractor and ask them to take care of it. It's not usual for them to leave such a mess!

Anonymous

Following with interest as at this very moment there is a drywall crew rocking in our entire basement. We have two air filters going upstairs, plastic sheeting blocking the stairwell, and of course the HVAC system is off, but it’s still settling on surfaces upstairs. I think there will be several passes with a variety of dusting implements over the next several days.

Minaminu

Veteran

Sugarsoap should help, it is usually used to wash the walls to prep for painting - gets rid of all grime

Lightly dump cloth will hemp to keep the dust down when cleaning.

Good luck!

Helena

Veteran

Lots of great suggestions here and I'll just add to change out the filters on your furnace/fan/central air system, whatever you have - perhaps a few times over the next month or two. Good luck!

Runcarla

Veteran

Wow! Big job, but I bet your floors look great. Construction dust if inevitable. Vacuum, then wipe down with damp cloth. Change furnace filters. Consider duct cleaning if air vents weren’t taped off. Service your vacuum afterwards (clean/replace filters and wash out canister).

Anonymous

Best approach is to hire people to come in as a one time thing and clean before you put your furniture back in.

Twenty five years married into the building business, have always done my own housework and this is truly my best advice.

bella

(website)

Veteran

I echo the sentiment that you need a pro for the job.

Stagiaire Fash

Veteran

Yesterday was the day, right? How was it? Had they cleaned much?