How to clean drywall tools

Hanging and finishing drywall is messy work, and it’s easy for your tools to become pretty nasty in a hurry throughout the course of a project as joint compound (mud) sticks to them and gets caked on. Not only is this unsightly, but it also affects the performance and durability of your tools if you let mud build up and fail to provide proper maintenance on a regular basis.

Knowing how to effectively clean your tools will also keep you from having to spend money replacing them quite as often. Here are some tips for effectively cleaning and preserving all of the drywall tools in your arsenal.

When to clean your tools

It’s a good idea to clean all the tools that need it in a timely fashion at the end of every project. As time passes, mud can harden on tools and make it very difficult to remove. Cleaning all your tools together also saves time and ensures they’re ready to go leading up to your next project.

What you’ll need

• The tools you want to clean (of course)
• A bucket of warm water large enough to submerge your tools (five gallons should do)
• A putty knife (or your taping knife if you don’t have a putty knife)
• A dish scouring pad (not a steel wool pad as this can scratch your tools)
• Cleaning rags/towels
• Rust inhibitor spray (WD-40 works as a cheap option)
• And (if you have one) a scrub brush

Step 1 – Scrape and soak

Start by scraping off the mud with your putty knife (or your taping knife). Between scrapes, soak the tool in the bucket for a few minutes at a time to soften and dissolve the mud for easier removal. Once most of the mud is scraped off, submerge the tools in the water for 10-20 minutes or until the joint compound has almost entirely soaked off.

Step 2 – Dump and refill

Remove the tools from the bucket and dump out the dirty water. Don’t dump the water into your kitchen sink – use a laundry room sink if you have one. Some areas have special ordinances regarding where you can and can’t dump drywall residue, so you should check your local codes before you complete this step.

Once you’ve dumped the water in a safe place, refill the bucket with clean, warm water.

Step 3 – Scrub

Use the dish scouring pad to completely scrub all remaining joint compound from your tools. A scrub brush will also work for this step (if you have one and don’t have a scouring pad).

Step 4 – Rinse and dry

Rinse your tools in the clean water and then dry them with a clean rag, towel, or old t-shirt as soon as possible. Make sure you dry everywhere on the tools, including the hard-to-reach spots. Wash off any joint compound from your hands and dump the water again in a safe place.

Step 5 – Apply rust inhibitor

Wetness causes rust, so we now want to spray rust inhibitor or WD-40 on all metal fasteners on your tools. Do this in a well-ventilated area, as this spray can give off some strong fumes. Finish by wiping off the excess spray from your tools with a clean rag.

Bingo

And just like that, your tools are now clean and ready for whatever’s next. Make sure to store them in a dry place and to repeat this process with any tools that need it in a timely manner after every project.

Take care of your tools at Al’s

Al’s Taping Tools has been providing contractors with the highest quality and most extensive selection of tools, parts, and accessories in the industry since 1985. Our experts are here to help you find easy ways to save time and money on your next project. Shop our products today to give yourself an advantage on any job site.