Jump to content

  • You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

Is It Safe To Vacuum Up Gluten?

123glldd

By 123glldd
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

123glldd Collaborator
123glldd
Posted

We have some wall plaster on the floor behind some furniture left from before going gluten free...how would we go about getting rid of this? normally we would vacuum but will that send this stuff into the air at all?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


psawyer Proficient
psawyer
Posted

Maybe. Maybe not. It would vary from vacuum to vacuum, based on how good the filter is. If you are worried, I would consider using a face mask during the actual process. Then stay out of the room for an hour while any remaining dust settles.

But, honestly, it is not something that worries me.

1desperateladysaved Proficient
1desperateladysaved
Posted

With the average vacuum, I would not do it. I ruined my new central vac picking up sheet rock dust and the company said it was not made to pick that up. Vacuums are not made to pick up powder they said. Of coarse if it is an incindental amount I wouldn't worry about the vacuum.

I suggest someone else use the vacuum. Most vacuums do put dust into the air. To minimize that I wonder if you could use a special filter bag- if they have one for your vac. Change the bag before someone vacuums and when you are done.

If you can find noone else to vacuum, that does not have a gluten problem, I say the mask would be a good idea. I might pick it up with gloves and mask and small broom. I might vacuum. I would also rinse off everything used afterward. I would stay out of the room and revacuum several times before I was really happy with it.

I would say, for your information, that I think this is very cautious, and would satisfy me if I had the need.

I

mamaupupup Contributor
mamaupupup
Posted
:) since I am WAY too cautious...I would also wet mop/wet wipe surfaces down and either wash the mop and rags on sanitize or use disposable things like paper towels...
YoloGx Rookie
YoloGx
Posted

I have gotten ill from the dust from sheetrock. If its not cleaned up, its the bad gift that keeps on going. I know since I am a property manager of old cottages that often have needed repair.

If you can either wear a heavy duty mask with goggles or have someone else take a dampened paper towel(s) to pick up the sheetrock granules, and then just throw them away into a plastic bag, then it would reduce the amount that goes into the air from vacuuming.

You can buy vacuum cleaners that put very little dust into the air. I just got one from a used vacuum cleaner place, which reduced the cost to half.

I agree with cleaning the rest of the room. I would use a heavy duty mask while doing it, or have someone else do it.

123glldd Collaborator
123glldd
Posted
  • Author

We live in the basement apartment of my in laws house..they could do it but i would be too paranoid about stuff in the air after. maybe i'll use wet paper towels to pick up the bit that's there and then the VERY small bit after i'll vacuum ...like so small i can't hardly see it lol it's almost behind the bookcase so it's not anything major it was just left from a minor repair. i might be able to do this without the vacuum we'll see. I had cleaned out the floor of our jeep a couple months ago using a dust buster..you know..the hand held things? well we had just bought it and i forgot it just has a compartment..when i opened it some dust came up and i freaked =\ Actually ..maybe that made me ill beginning of august hmmm Either way the thing couldn't pick it all up..was useless so we trashed it anyhow lol

123glldd Collaborator
123glldd
Posted
  • Author

This reminds me...we still have holes in our walls that need repairing..how should we go about this? i know most plasters available out there have gluten..is there a "recipe" to make some at home or anything?

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


shadowicewolf Proficient
shadowicewolf
Posted

Not that i'm aware of. I'd just wear a good pair of gloves and have at it with a mask on.

123glldd Collaborator
123glldd
Posted
  • Author

I thought that someone said in another thread i saw that a normal mask isn't good enough when sanding that stuff that you need something that filters? =\ Is there possibly any brand out there gluten free? I don't want to have to worry about it =\ then i also have to worry about clean up after.

flowerqueen Community Regular
flowerqueen
Posted

You need a vacuum cleaner with a good filtration system and even better a HEPA filter and that should do the trick. I would not advise dampening the plaster first, especially with an upright vacuum cleaner as it could damage the mechanics. For added protection use a face mask, you can also buy these with filters (from a DIY store). Of course, it would be better if someone else did the vacuuming for you but even then I would still advise a vacuum cleaner with a good filtration system so the particles are not left in the air, as this kind of dust takes ages to settle.

123glldd Collaborator
123glldd
Posted
  • Author

Naw what i'm saying is the little bit there i can probably get almost all of it with the damp paper towel and any miniscule stuff left could easily be vacuumed and practically unaffected by any damp towel.

Victoria6102 Contributor
Victoria6102
Posted

Sheetrock dust has gluten in it? I went to look at houses with my friends just for fun and we went to one that was in the middle of being built. As we were walking around everything was covered in some sort of dust( Sheetrock, wood...?!) I was obviously breathing it in, I could feel it in my lungs. Later that night my eyes got all swollen and red, itchy and watery. My eczema got really bad and my throat was itching/closing. Thought it was an allergic reaction to the dust, is it possible it was from gluten??!!! I usually have gastric issues, not that kind though.

CeliacShack Rookie
CeliacShack
Posted

Wow! My husband and I have been renovating our home for the past couple years, off and on. I knew I was sensitive/allergic to the dust, but never imagined it was gluten. I just cleaned up some mess after a demo a week or so ago and wore a mask and gloves, but still didn't feel great afterwards.

kittty Contributor
kittty
Posted

I had NO idea there was gluten in sheet rock! :blink: This has been a really eye opening thread.

We live in a 90 year old house, which has plaster and lath instead of sheet rock. Anyone know if old plaster has gluten in it as well?

pricklypear1971 Community Regular
pricklypear1971
Posted

Here are links to other threads:

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

I had NO idea there was gluten in sheet rock! :blink: This has been a really eye opening thread.

We live in a 90 year old house, which has plaster and lath instead of sheet rock. Anyone know if old plaster has gluten in it as well?

I lived in a 130 year old house for 26 years and moved out almost 1 year ago. I did work on that house many times and I had horsehair plaster and sheet rock

all over the place. I am an extremely sensitive, diagnosed Celiac who nearly died from this disease. I hit the wall with Celiac in that house and I recovered well in that house. It was never, ever an issue. Unless you decide to snort it up your nose, and the dry wall does indeed have a gluten component to it, then this should not be a problem for anyone. Not all sheet rock is a problem. It can easily be vacuumed up but if it is a large amount, a wet dry vac would do better.

123glldd Collaborator
123glldd
Posted
  • Author

Ok so since it was a rather small area and just a dusting of the wall plaster i put a bandanna with wax paper underneath it (between my mouth and nose and bandana) for a makeshift mask. wore vinyl powder free gloves and took duct tape and picked it up a bit at a time with that...that worked really well for the majority of it...then anything little left over i vacuumed. it would be such a miniscule amount i have my doubts it would be worrisome. i couldn't see anything anymore. and now the window is open.

Gemini Experienced
Gemini
Posted

Ok so since it was a rather small area and just a dusting of the wall plaster i put a bandanna with wax paper underneath it (between my mouth and nose and bandana) for a makeshift mask. wore vinyl powder free gloves and took duct tape and picked it up a bit at a time with that...that worked really well for the majority of it...then anything little left over i vacuumed. it would be such a miniscule amount i have my doubts it would be worrisome. i couldn't see anything anymore. and now the window is open.

That's perfect! Duct tape is just awesome, isn't it? I think Celiac is the only thing duct tape doesn't fix..... :P

123glldd Collaborator
123glldd
Posted
  • Author

That's perfect! Duct tape is just awesome, isn't it? I think Celiac is the only thing duct tape doesn't fix..... :P

I agree! lol You can do practically anything with it!

YoloGx Rookie
YoloGx
Posted

I agree--a vacuum cleaner with a hepa filter is the best. I bought a used refurbished one and its great! However I have also used a shop vac with good success. Thing is though that when you open it up you really need to be suited up with your mask, gloves and a clothes you plan to wash.

You can use the wet paper towel method, and then let it dry before using the vacuum.

Meanwhile I use one of those masks with carbon nozzles and extra cotton filter on the outside for nasty jobs like that. It does work.

As far as plaster goes, you can get the old fashioned kind that is just plaster and I think with a trace amount of corn. You mix it yourself. Again use the mask and gloves when mixing (and mix it outside) just in case there is CC. It does work! Then when it comes to sanding the patch, use the wet sanding method so the dust does not go into the air--and again the mask etc.

I always wash my clothes afterwards again to avoid CC.

Good luck! It should work out fine.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

Go to topic listing

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):



    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):



  • Recent Activity

    1. BelleDeJour
      - BelleDeJour replied to BelleDeJour's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      12

      Dermatitis Herpetiformis - follow up dermatology appointment coming up

      Thank you so much @suek54 How are you doing today? I spoke too soon yesterday. Something (I can only think gluten-free sweets or a can of soft drink) set me off yesterday. Had a bath, applied some cream, still itching so applied some steroid and was awake until 3am. It's so frustrating. Always 2 steps forward, 1 step back. I am at work now and going to play...
    2. Jmartes71
      - Jmartes71 commented on Scott Adams's article in Summer 2026 Issue
      5

      Court Ruling Raises Big Questions About "Gluten-Free" Food Safety in Retirement Communities (+Video)

      That's one of my biggest fears because the knowledge of how serious is completely laxed and we the patients suffer. Thank God this poor women got the results of winning that case.It should be mandated that any doctor, care facility and every ER know exactly what celiac is.NOT just a food consumption allergy as downplayed. Its not a choice its medically necessary...
    3. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to Jmartes71's topic in Dermatitis Herpetiformis
      6

      Skin issues

      I’m sorry you’re going through all of this. It sounds very stressful, especially when you feel that your symptoms are not being taken seriously. Until you are seen next week, it may help to keep the focus very practical: take clear photos of the skin sores, write down a timeline of symptoms, list all medicines, eye drops, supplements, implants/leak history, an...
    4. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to N Young's topic in Doctors
      1

      Frustrated with Providers

      You are not being unreasonable. A negative celiac blood test after 25 years gluten-free does not rule out celiac disease, because the antibodies usually fall once gluten is removed. It may simply show that your gluten-free diet is working. I would ask the doctor to add a clear note to your chart stating that the test was done while you were strictly gluten...
    5. Scott Adams
      - Scott Adams replied to ThomasA55's topic in Celiac Disease Pre-Diagnosis, Testing & Symptoms
      12

      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      These articles may be helpful:
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,117
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442
    coeliacmamma
    Newest Member
    coeliacmamma
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.7k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • BelleDeJour
      Dermatitis Herpetiformis - follow up dermatology appointment coming up

      By BelleDeJour · Posted

      Thank you so much @suek54 How are you doing today? I spoke too soon yesterday. Something (I can only think gluten-free sweets or a can of soft drink) set me off yesterday. Had a bath, applied some cream, still itching so applied some steroid and was awake until 3am. It's so frustrating. Always 2 steps forward, 1 step back. I am at work now and going to play it very much on the very safe side with food for the next few days.  My derm appointment is less than a week away. I will update on here because I do feel it important to help others. 
    • Scott Adams
      Skin issues

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      I’m sorry you’re going through all of this. It sounds very stressful, especially when you feel that your symptoms are not being taken seriously. Until you are seen next week, it may help to keep the focus very practical: take clear photos of the skin sores, write down a timeline of symptoms, list all medicines, eye drops, supplements, implants/leak history, and any test results, and bring that to the dermatologist. If there is drainage, spreading redness, fever, worsening pain, eye involvement, or signs of infection, that needs prompt medical care. I would be cautious about assuming parasites or staph without testing, and also cautious with new supplements or putting vitamin C directly on sores, since irritated skin can get worse. A dermatologist can culture lesions, biopsy if needed, and refer to infectious disease if the findings point that way. On the celiac side, I understand your concern for your son, but being HLA-DQ2 positive does not by itself mean he has celiac disease; it means he has a genetic risk. If he is eating gluten now, this is actually the best time for proper celiac blood testing before he tries a gluten-free diet. His symptoms, weight, congestion, and family history are worth discussing with a gastroenterologist, but he should not be told he has celiac based only on HLA status. For your own care, try to keep pushing for objective testing and clear documentation in your records, because that is often what gets doctors to take the next step.
    • Scott Adams
      Frustrated with Providers

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      You are not being unreasonable. A negative celiac blood test after 25 years gluten-free does not rule out celiac disease, because the antibodies usually fall once gluten is removed. It may simply show that your gluten-free diet is working. I would ask the doctor to add a clear note to your chart stating that the test was done while you were strictly gluten-free, that you have a long history of dermatitis herpetiformis and strong clinical response to the gluten-free diet, and that celiac disease remains your working diagnosis unless properly reassessed with a supervised gluten challenge, which you may not want or need at this stage. This should help prevent future confusion. It is understandable to feel frustrated, especially after decades of being dismissed, but this may be fixable with a calm conversation and a chart correction rather than changing doctors.
    • Scott Adams
      Iron loss and potential celiac.

      By Scott Adams · Posted

      These articles may be helpful:    
    • Jmartes71
      Skin issues

      By Jmartes71 · Posted

      I went to ER on the 30th because I didn't want to wait and saw dr at desk for intake. I went for NOTHING!. ER Dr was very nice but made it seem as if I was a nut case rater than coming in for real issues calmly explaining its staph! Staph,  by look no blood test, no skin test. No looking in my nose and throat was given a prescription for jock cream and some pills ! I made the mistake of saying Im waiting on Infectious disease. She asked how did I get referral and I said I did it online.The next day I checked the status and it was denied! I did get  a referral to the dermatology office i went to last year that over charged me and did a biopsy on me stating inconclusive! I went to another dermatologist and he stated I should see Infectious disease at place i put in referral. With that I contacted that dermatologist and waiting to see if he thinks dermatology or Infectious disease is the route.I do have appointment for dermatology next week.Until then i did purchase Zahler paraGuard advance intestinal  flora support  from Sprouts. Im also very alarmed that the fact celiac isn't addressed properly infact its downplayed. When I had my son tested for HLA-DQ2 and it came out positive because he is eating everything and he is extremely skinny but he isn't dealing with severe diagestive issues because thats all he knows NOW or yet because he is still young 21.I too didn't know any difference when i was that age because thats all we know.Life changes will get him in latter years im afraid because what im dealing with.That scares me.The specialist we went to was only about congestion he is getting.He is getting congestion because he is eating what he isn't supposed too! Zero talk about celiac and HLA-DQ2 positive. Only talk was he is congested because we live in the Valley! They wanted to do surgery! I did write again to our district leader considering when I did call, the guy stated he knew all about celiac. I really wanted to tell him NO YOU DON'T but held my tongue. For my skin sores the cream given didn't do anything because ive also had in past.Ive been putting liquid vitamin c on it and taking vitamins which is making a little difference just with the last few days of doing.
×
×
  • Create New...