How Do You Clean Drywall Joint Compound From Your Clothes?

By  Robert Ferguson

Things Needed

  • Wash tub

  • Bucket

  • Laundry detergent

  • Spray nozzle

  • Water hose

Tip

Remove joint compound from clothing before it dries using a damp sponge.

Wear old clothing when working with joint compound and discard after use.

Keeping tools and hands clean during joint compound installation provides a professional result and helps to keep clothing clean.

Warning

Verify that that the clothing is suitable for a hot water wash to prevent damage.

Woman applying joint compound to wallBrand X Pictures/Brand X Pictures/Getty Images

After installing drywall, it is necessary to fill and tape all of the joints with joint compound. During application of drywall joint compound, it seems that half of the material winds up on your clothes, in your hair and everywhere else but on the wall. In most cases, drywall compound will not stain your clothes. It is easy to remove the compound before it dries using a damp sponge. However, after the material starts to dry, removing it becomes increasingly more difficult.

Step 1

Fill a washtub or bucket with warm water and laundry detergent. Allow the clothing to soak in the solution for an hour before attempting to wash.

Step 2

Wash the clothing by hand in the detergent solution and wring out excess water. Concentrate on removing dried clumps of drywall by carefully pulling the material off the clothes.

Step 3

Hang the clothing on a clothesline or fence. Spray stubborn areas where drywall compound remains with a spray nozzle attached to a water hose to loosen the material.

Step 4

Place the clothing back into the detergent solution and continue washing by hand to remove any remaining joint compound or residue.

Step 5

Wash the clothing in a washing machine on the hot water cycle to finish the process.

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