Best way to clean up drywall dust

[phylny]

Hi all,

We're having our basement finished, and due to the amount of stuff we have down there waiting for the rooms to be finished, our contractor is doing it a room at a time.

The first room is almost finished, but there's quite a bit of drywall dust on the cement floor. What's the best way for us to tackle it? I'm afraid to use a shop vac, in case it spews everywhere.

Thanks!

[Warpy]

1. I used a broom and pan for the worst of it

sweeping very slowly and carefully so as not to disturb the dust. I then attacked the "frust" (that line of dust that refuses to be cajoled into the dustpan) with a vacuum fitted with a HEPA filter. I then started to wash the floors. As I recall, it took several washings before the haze was completely gone.

[Wash. state Desk Jet]

2. you shop vac should except a bag

You remove the filter than insert the bag. We use the shop vac with the bag inserted to do that.Add bag and nothing blows out. Bags sold where you buy the vacs.

[phylny]

3. I appreciate the help.

We ended up sweeping the ceiling, walls, and floors, getting as much dust off as we could and after that, put a fan in the window on exhaust for a short while. Then we used sweeping compound on the concrete floor and were utterly amazed at how well it worked! No more dust.

Paint tomorrow, and much more to do as the basement is finished one room at a time.