General Cleaning Tips
Cleaning construction dust from walls is tricky. Use a vacuum cleaner to reach tight spaces. Consult a professional if unsure how to clean a surface.
To remove dust:
- Vacuum walls with a soft brush
- Use plain warm water or soapy water to wash dirt
- Wipe clean with a sponge
- Cover vents to prevent spreading
In 3 hours:
- Wipe counters
- Clean bathrooms
- Vacuum floors
Specific Surface Cleaning
Concrete
- Scrape excess mud with a trowel
- Scrub with water and sponge
- Wet mop floor
- Dry fully to prevent warping
Drywall
- Vacuum with HEPA filter
- Damp mop surfaces
- Use mild detergent on tough spots
- Dry completely before replacing furniture
Basement
- Sweep debris with a broom
- Use a shop vac for dust
Particles with a diameter of 1μm (respirable) can stay in the air for up to 4 or more hours. Particles less than 10μm (thoracic) will take about 3 minutes to settle. Particles at 5μm (respirable) will settle in about 8 minutes.
Construction dust remains in the air for up to 12 days and rooms can smell “like concrete”. To remove dust, use HEPA filter vacuuming for drywall, followed by damp mopping, and mild detergent on tough spots. Dry fully before replacing furniture.
Health Risks
Regularly breathing construction dust can cause diseases like lung cancer, asthma, and COPD. It poses a high risk for construction workers.
Clearing Construction Dust from the Air
To remove dust from the air:
- Use a vacuum with a soft brush
- Wipe clean with a damp sponge
- Use plain warm water
- Contain the area
- Cover vents to prevent spreading
- Sweep debris with a broom
Because of its small sizes, dust stays in the air for days. Vary the length of sentences from 6 to 17 words.