Can I skip wiping down the walls with a wet sponge after mudding, skimming, floating, and sanding, or should I run the vacuum cleaner first?
Asked by Arlo Anderson 
7 months ago
Last Updated: June 8, 2024
I’ve been working on the walls – mudding, skimming, floating, and sanding. Made quite a mess with all that dust! Do you think I can just vacuum it up, or do I need to wipe the walls down with a wet sponge first?
Maybe consider sweeping them instead
I also enjoy sweeping
How smooth is this? Seems like a really clean line. Usually, it’s a bit more blended. Any ridges will stand out once you paint over them.
It feels really smooth. I close my eyes and gently run my fingers over it, and I can’t even feel where the edge is. I’m more interested in the best way to remove dust easily before priming.
Hey, I was just wondering about that. I understand your question. Like others have mentioned, using a brush or broom works really well.
The edges still seem a bit rough. When working with mud, apply it and then remove it. I suggest going over the edges, sanding, and sweeping the walls. Once you prime it, any needed touch ups will be visible.
I sometimes use compressed air to remove the walls
I’ve found that using a damp rag on a Swiffer works really well for cleaning.
To check for imperfections, shine a light up at the ceiling and hold it next to the wall.
You shouldn’t have to sand too much, especially not before the final coat. Make sure the edges are smooth and straight. It might help to use a wider blade around 12 inches and taper the mud. This will prevent that uneven ridge and make sanding easier later on. Consider applying a light topping coat to smooth out the edges and spread the seam more evenly. Use long, smooth strokes in one direction for a cleaner finish. Straight seams are key for a professional look. Check out Drywall Shorty for some helpful tips on mud application and achieving the right jointed look.
When I need to sand the walls, I usually toss some damp paper towels on the sander and swiftly go over the wall, flipping the towels periodically.
A wet sponge can be useful for smoothing down any rough spots without creating a dusty mess. Keep in mind, there are many experienced individuals in this group who can provide advice on drywall, so explore all your options.
I just finished vacuuming the walls. Just a heads up, the attachment can be a bit abrasive on your surface.
You might struggle to clean out your vacuum later on. I suggest using a shop vac to make the job easier.
Personally, I prefer to sweep them with a broom first and then use a small towel. Remember to keep rinsing the towel in a bucket and wringing out the water.
When you’re wiping them down wet, make sure the cloth is just slightly damp and apply gentle pressure. It’s important to take care of the thin layer of compound where you feathered.
All your hard work could be ruined if you try to use anything damp to clean your finished drywall. Start by using a broom to remove dust, then clean the floor, lightly wipe with a dry towel, and finally mop the floor to prevent dust and debris from affecting your primer and paint.
I’m no expert, but I’ve done more than the average DIYer. You’ll need a wider blade for applying mud, minimum 10″, but 12″ is even better. Make sure to feather the edges to avoid visible lines. You might want to apply a light skim coat over the current seams to smoothen the surface if it’s rough. Instead of sandpaper, you can use a slightly damp sponge, but be gentle and don’t make it too wet. A damp sponge is effective for cleaning the walls, just do it lightly. Some people recommend using a swifter with a damp paper towel, but I’d go with a microfiber cloth. Good luck, I remember my early attempts. Luckily, I had a friend who gave me some mudding tips. It always seemed like he pointed out my mistakes right after I made them so I could correct them. He joked that he always wanted to be a teacher!
Texture comes next, unless you prefer a smooth level 5 finish. You’ll have to apply a skim coat of mud to the bare drywall.
The dust will definitely overwhelm that Dyson cordless vacuum, you will need a Henry vacuum for cleaning up after building work
Start by priming and then lightly sanding
I’ve sanded it until it’s mirror smooth. Should I get rid of the dust before applying the drywall sealer? Use a vacuum, damp sponge, broom, or leave it as it is?
You don’t have to worry about cleaning it up, the primer will reveal any dust, just give it a light sanding before applying the final coat of paint.
Remember, everything that you can feel with your fingers will be visible once you start painting. It’s important to have smooth surfaces, especially in the corners, to achieve a finish as smooth as baby skin. I used to vacuum the dust away when I did a lot of sanding. Surprisingly, your Dyson vacuum is still holding up well.
It’s so smooth. I mean, I skimmed the duck out of this, then sanded. Can you believe I vacuumed the dust off the floor and didn’t have any issues? But I probably won’t repeat it after hearing your feedback. I was curious about how to get rid of the dust before applying the sealer.
You could sweep it lightly with a broom, it gently falls to the ground. I sanded so much during my first time 40 years ago, and I’ve improved since then, but still not as good as a professional. Sanding really makes a difference, professionals are so skilled that they hardly need to sand much on a well-done installation.
Regarding the Dyson, I learned the hard way that the central vacuum motor died after my first bathroom renovation, costing me $300 back in the day.
I think I’ll stick with using a broom. My Dyson vacuum got really messed up from all the drywall dust. I personally think that getting your mud wet again can lead to more issues – wetting it actually removes the mud.
Hey, you make a good point, seems like I’m brooming!
Shop vac 👌
This definitely does the trick. Dyson was good, until it wasn’t 😳
Try not to put too much material on the wall. Make sure to feather your work and skim lightly. On the first pass, apply tape and lightly sand. On the second pass, fill in the tape. On the third pass, finish the work and inspect for any high or low spots.
Yup, I already took care of that. It’s as smooth as a mirror.
Nice one!
Hey , have you thought about offering advice in a more respectful way?
Give those walls a Swiffer!
Using a vacuum for drywall dust will definitely mess it up. It’s best to use a less expensive one for that job.
Make sure to use a broom or a dry microfibre cloth instead of a vacuum, it can cause damage.
Kirby dealers have some great field-tested brushes that dust and spiderwebs can’t cling to. You can wash these brushes with Dawn and warm water when needed. I also use my grandfather’s expensive paint brushes for this job. Nowadays, I only use disposable chip brushes for painting because solvents are too pricey.
I find that using a Swiffer with a microfiber cloth works great for cleaning walls, especially for dusting.
Try using a swifter to quickly clean most of the dust. If you notice any edges or rough spots, the swifter will catch on them, letting you know where to focus on smoothing. Once the swifter isn’t picking up any more dust, use a slightly damp cotton towel to wipe down the surface. I suggest applying a primer before painting to help the paint stick better. Opt for a tinted primer to potentially reduce the amount of paint needed.
Sweep it and begin painting