×

The Best Way to Clean Up Plaster

Natalie Chardonnet

When your construction project wraps up, you just want to relax and be glad the job is done. Cleaning up plaster may seem daunting and time consuming; however, effectively cleaning up plaster will save you time and trouble down the road. Plaster dust and debris can be a hindrance if not cleaned properly right away. Avoid breathing in plaster dust -- and the negative health effects of doing so -- by cleaning as quickly as possible after your project ends.

Wearing gloves, safety goggles and a mask can prevent health problems.
  1. Put on the safety goggles, gloves and the breathing mask. Doing so will prevent you from inhaling plaster dust, which has harmful effects on health.

  2. Pick up pieces of plaster and place them in the heavy duty trash bag. Make sure that the trash bag does not become too heavy, since this will rupture the bag and create an even greater mess.

  3. Sweep smaller pieces of plaster as well as dust into the dustpan, being very careful to avoid stirring the dust. Do this task gently in order to prevent the dust from spreading.

  4. Vacuum the room using a wet/dry combination vacuum. The wet vacuum setting will help clean up any lingering plaster dust particles without spreading the dust. Allow the floors to dry and then vacuum using the dry setting to ensure thorough removal. Use the attachments in hard to reach places of the room, including corners.

  5. Fill a bucket with warm water. Dip the rag in the bucket and wring it out. Wipe the rag along surfaces in the room such as walls, windows and any furniture that may have become dusty.