Hey everyone! I have a bit of a situation in my new apartment kitchen. We're installing some shelving, and while my family member was helping, we totally forgot to tarp up. We ended up with drywall dust everywhere after drilling a few holes and banging in anchors. Now, I'm stressing about the dust coating everything from the microwave vents to our cooking tools like pots, pans, and even wooden spatulas. I've since covered things up, but I really need advice on how to systematically clean this mess and ensure everything is safe. I've read that cleanup can be a pain since silica hardens when wet, which is making me consider just tossing things out instead. Any tips would be appreciated!
2 Answers
First off, don't stress too much about the silica—it’s mostly gypsum in drywall, so the risk isn’t as high as you might think. Just focus on cleaning it up properly. Start with a dry microfiber cloth to pick up as much dust as possible. You can then use a damp cloth to wipe down surfaces. For pots and pans, you should wash them thoroughly with soap and water, and don't forget to clean out the microwave and vents too. A vacuum with a HEPA filter can also help get rid of the stubborn dust. You'll be okay!
It sounds a bit overwhelming, but you can absolutely tackle this! For the areas with dust, like your shelves and cooking tools, try using a damp cloth first to collect the dust rather than spreading it around. For bigger items like the stove and microwave, you might need to disassemble them a bit to clean thoroughly. As for your concern about tossing everything, I’d recommend taking a deep breath and cleaning what you can—it’s usually manageable with some patience. Just don't forget to change the filters in your fan after cleaning!
Great advice! I hadn't thought about disassembling the microwave for a better clean. Thanks for the detailed tips!
Thanks for the reassurance! I appreciated the tips, especially about using the vacuum with a HEPA filter—that seems like a smart move!