Because spackle dries hard quickly, it's important to clean it up right away. Cleaning up dried spackle requires a bit more work.
Things You Will Need
Concrete and Tile Floors
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Wipe up spackle that is still wet with a damp sponge.
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Wipe the area dry with a dry, clean towel to eliminate any spackle residue. If, after drying, a white film remains on the surface of the floor, wipe it up again with a fully rinsed-out sponge.
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Scrape up dried bits of spackle stuck to the floor using a plastic putty knife. Avoid using a metal putty knife -- it can scratch the floor.
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Cover any dried bits remaining with damp paper towels. Leave the paper towels for several minutes and allow the moisture to soften the spackle.
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Scrape the softened spackle with the putty knife and wipe up any residue with the sponge.
Wood Floors
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Wipe up any spackle that is still wet with a dry towel. Do not use water on wood floors.
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Clean up any remaining residue with window cleaner or vinegar.
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Drop wood oil onto dried, stuck-on spackle and allow it to saturate and soften the spackle. Oil will not impregnate and compromise wood floor boards like water.
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Scrape the softened spackle with a plastic putty knife and clean the residue with window cleaner or vinegar.
Carpet
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Allow spackle dropped on the carpet to dry since dry spackle is easier to remove from carpet than wet spackle.
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Vacuum the carpet to crumble and suck up as much spackle as possible.
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Spray carpet spot remover on remaining plaster.
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Blot up the plaster, using paper towels.
Tools
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Run the blades of spackling tools under water immediately after using to rinse away the plaster while wet. Use fingers to rub away as much spackle as possible.
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Scrub the tools with water and a plastic-bristle scrub brush to remove wet spackle from crevices.
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Scrape the tools with a plastic putty knife and continue to scrub them with water and a scrub brush to remove dried spackle.
The Drip Cap
- Spackle is a plastic-like paste used to fill cracks or holes in plaster or drywall.
- Wipe up any spackle that is still wet with a dry towel.
- Do not use water on wood floors.
- Drop wood oil onto dried, stuck-on spackle and allow it to saturate and soften the spackle.
- Scrape the softened spackle with a plastic putty knife and clean the residue with window cleaner or vinegar.
- Run the blades of spackling tools under water immediately after using to rinse away the plaster while wet.