How to Clean Drywall Compound from Wood Floors

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Things You'll Need

  • Clean rags

  • Adhesive remover

  • Painter’s tape

  • Putty knife

Installing drywall in any room or home is a serious undertaking, and during the installation process, you may occasionally drop or splatter a bit of drywall compound, or drywall mud, on your wood floors. Made from stones, polymers and other adhesives, drywall compound can be difficult to remove once dried, but with the proper tools and cleaning technique, you should be able to remove the compound carefully from your wood floors.

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Step 1

Wipe up any drywall compound spill immediately. The sooner that you clean up the compound, the easier it will be to remove it. Use a warm, wet cloth to wipe up the compound. Avoid spreading it around the floor. Try to dab it quickly and rinse the rag in warm water frequently as you dab the compound up with the rag.

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Step 2

Pour an anti-mastic or adhesive remover onto the area where the spill occurred if the compound has dried. Use painter's tape to isolate the part of the floor where the compound has dried so that you don't get any adhesive remover on the part of the floor that is not covered in the compound.

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Step 3

Wait 30 minutes, after which the compound should soften.

Step 4

Scrape the compound off the floor with a plastic putty knife. Avoid using a metal knife, as the sharp edge could create a scratch or divot in your floor.

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Step 5

Scrub off any remaining softened compound. Scrub hard and thoroughly with a clean rag. Try to only scrub the compound, so that you can avoid scratching your wood floor.

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