What's the Best Way to Clean Up Dust After Removing Ceramic Tile?
Asked by DustyDaisy93
I recently tackled the removal of ceramic tile in my kitchen, and now I've got a huge mess of fine dust everywhere! I tried sealing off rooms with poly paint drop cloths and tape, but the dust still seems to sneak in. I'm curious, what methods have you all used to effectively clean up this type of dust? I'm considering using a shop vac, but maybe there are better options?
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I totally get your struggle! When I replaced about 1500 square feet of tile, I faced the same issue. I ended up using a bucket with soapy water and a rag to wipe down the walls and built-ins. I vacuumed the floors several times and made sure to polish every piece of furniture before bringing it back in. I also used Murphy's oil soap for a nice finish!
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I’ve been mopping the walls repeatedly, but I still find dust in my cabinets even two years later! This stuff really clings on. Just be ready with some patience during cleanup.
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Just a heads-up: really fine dust can get through a shop vac's filter, which might just spread it around instead of getting rid of it. I'd recommend mopping first to dampen the dust, and then using the shop vac. If you pour a little water into the vac before using it, that can help trap the dust too!
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MopHaven: Interesting tip on mopping first! Do you think it’d work to spray down the floor with a mist from a garden sprayer? I'm dealing with concrete subfloors in the kitchen and other areas, so I'm wondering if that would help contain the dust.