Diatomaceous earth may be an incredibly versatile substance with many useful benefits, but it can be incredibly difficult to clean up at times.
If you’ve ever used diatomaceous earth to deal with an insect infestation around your home, you’ll know how hard it is to draw the fine chalky particles out of your carpet and bedding. Diatomaceous earth, or DE, has the propensity to drift under appliances and furniture or between cracks and crevices, which can sometimes make cleaning frustrating.
Fortunately there are a few tips and tricks that can help with cleaning up diatomaceous earth. In this article we’ve collected the best methods for cleaning up DE to help you tidy up faster and with less effort.
Cleaning DE From Hard Surfaces
Removing diatomaceous earth from hard floors like tiles or floorboards is simple and easy when compared to carpeted surfaces. These methods can also be used for countertops, furniture, walls, and bathroom surfaces.
The Damp Towel Method
Cleaning diatomaceous earth from hard, non-porous surfaces is as easy as gathering a damp towel and wiping it across the surface you’d like to clean, in the same manner as you would clean a flour spill.
The diatomaceous earth will stick to the towel and make cleaning up simple. To remove this DE from your home, simply hang it outside until it dries, shaking vigorously when all moisture is gone to remove the DE.
You may want to wash the towels you use for this purpose separately from your clothes for a few washes after cleaning to ensure the DE doesn’t get back into your clothing. After several washes it will be fine to add them into normal washing loads.
The Sweeping Method
To clean diatomaceous earth from large regions of hard floor, simply find a broom or brush and sweep the diatomaceous earth you’d like to clean up into a central pile.
Once you’ve collected all of the DE, gather it with a dustpan and place it in a bin outside. After sweeping, be sure to mop the floor to gather any leftover DE particles. You can even recycle the water used to mop DE as a fertilizer for your garden
Carpets, Fabric and Rugs
Diatomaceous earth is more commonly distributed over carpeted surfaces and rugs, as these are the surfaces in which insect pests such as fleas and bed bugs residue.
Vacuuming is generally the best method for removing diatomaceous earth from these surfaces, but there are several factors to consider before getting stuck into built-up diatomaceous earth with your home vacuum.
The fine particles that make up diatomaceous earth powder can strain older or weaker home vacuum motors, potentially burning them out. To avoid this, consider the following two methods:
Hire a Shop Vac or Industrial Vacuum
Hiring a shop vac or industrial vacuum, while not exactly cheap, can be far more cost effective than destroying your home vacuum with DE particles.
Local hardware stores generally offer a shop vac hire service at a fraction of the price of a new vacuum. Shop vacs have a powerful suction capacity and if you’ve used DE to remove an insect infestation they’re great for removing their tiny corpses from your carpet.
Use a Filterless Vacuum
The incredibly hard, sharp and abrasive properties of diatomaceous earth powder can annihilate a vacuum filter in seconds. If you can’t find a shop vac or industrial vacuum, your next best option is to use a filterless vacuum.
If you’re able to use your home vacuum without a filter it can also fill this function, but be sure to set the vacuum to a low suction level and let it cool down every few minutes to prevent burn outs. Filtered vacuums can be used in a worst-case scenario, but be sure to clean the filter regularly during cleaning.
When All Else Fails
If you’re struggling to remove stubborn diatomaceous earth from your home with any of the above methods, you may want to consider hiring a professional rug cleaning service. Professional rug and carpet cleaners possess high capacity industrial vacuums that are able to completely remove all traces of diatomaceous earth from your home.
Finally, always be sure to use the correct safety gear when handling or cleaning diatomaceous earth. While diatomaceous earth is completely non toxic, it can irritate eyes, sinuses and the respiratory tract if inhaled. Always wear safety goggles, gloves and a dust mask to ensure you’re adequately protected.
Diatomaceous Earth Information Guide:
We have a wide variety of food grade diatomaceous earth resources for you look through to make your life a little easier and chemical-free. Please check out the other valuable resources and versatile application uses for silica-rich diatomaceous earth below:
- Diatomaceous Earth Supplementation
- Truth About D.E. Food Grade Silica Supplements
- Diatomaceous Clean Up Tips
- Diatomaceous For Hair Loss
- Diatomaceous Safety Risks
- What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
- Diatomaceous Bed Bug Control
- Diatomaceous Fleas Removal
- Diatomaceous For Chicken Mites
- Diatomaceous Toothpaste Enhancement
- Diatomaceous Environmental Uses
- Diatomaceous Bed Bug Removal
- Diatomaceous Dog Flea Treatment
- Diatomaceous Earth Cleanse
- Diatomaceous Cat Health Benefits
- Diatomaceous Rodent Deterrent
- Diatomaceous Health Safety Risk Warnings
- Diatomaceous Human Health Benefits
- Diatomaceous Cat Flea Treatment
- Diatomaceous Application Tips
- Diatomaceous Beginner's Guide
- Diatomaceous Weight Loss Detox
- Diatomaceous Dog Health Benefits
- Diatomaceous Rapid Roach Removal
- Diatomaceous Earth Ant Removal
- Diatomaceous And Bentonite Clay
- Diatomaceous Earth For Hair, Skin & Nails
- Diatomaceous Organic Exfoliation Skincare
- Diatomaceous Nutritional Smoothie Enhancer
- Diatomaceous Natural Ant Hill Treatment
- Diatomaceous Home Tick Removal Treatment
- Diatomaceous Organic Scorpion Killer
- Diatomaceous Earth, Honey, Coconut Oil Cocktail
- Diatomaceous Earth Safety Precautions
- Natural Diatomaceous Home Spider Removal Treatment
- Diatomaceous For Home Gnats Removal
- How To Use Diatomaceous Earth Powder
- Diatomaceous Natural Flea Removal Treatment
- Diatomaceous Home Bugs & Insects Defense
- Diatomaceous Earth Food Storage Tips
- Where To Find Diatomaceous Earth Online
- Diatomaceous Natural Kitty Litter Odor Control
- What Is Diatomaceous Earth?
- Diatomaceous Organic Fly Repellant
- Diatomaceous Dog Ticks Treatment
- Diatomaceous Carpet Deodorizing Treatment
- Diatomaceous Wasps Hornets Treatment
- Diatomaceous Earth Natural Deodorant
- Diatomaceous Earth Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS)
- Diatomaceous Home Termite Removal Treatment
- Diatomaceous Natural Aphid Control
- Diatomaceous Natural Cleaning Products
- Diatomaceous Natural Slug Control
- Diatomaceous Organic Feline Tick Control
- Diatomaceous Earth Organic Backyard Tick Control
- Diatomaceous Earth Ant Trail Preventing Tips
- Diatomaceous Chemical Free Home Cleaning Tips
- Best Time Of The Day To Use/Take Food Grade Diatomaceous
- Diatomaceous Gilmour Duster
- Diatomaceous Horse Feed Additive Benefits
- Diatomaceous Earth In Homemade Essential Oil Soaps
- Diatomaceous Earth Home Use Tips
- Diatomaceous Hog Pig Feed Benefits
- Diatomaceous Essential Oil Aromatherapy
- Diatomaceous Chicken & Turkey Feed Additive Benfeits
- Silica Supplements Guide
- Silica Mineral Benefits For Hair
- Silica Mineral Benefits For Skincare Health
- Silica Mineral Benefits For Nails
- Silica Mineral Benefits For Teeth & Gum Health
- Silica Water
- Bamboo Extract
- Orthosilicic Acid (Organic Silica)
Please reach out regarding any information above. In the future, more share-worthy useful enhancements, experiences and effects of diatomaceous earth will be added as the benefits continue to pile up. Always welcome for more insight and awareness, click the button to see the most recommended beautifully blended product that combines both high quality food grade diatomaceous earth powder and pure organic silica together in one formula.