What families really want to know — and how we keep things clean.
You’re picturing the floor, not the mess.
You can already imagine it: the grain showing through, the surface fresh and light again. But there’s a quiet worry too — what happens in between? Especially with little ones around, allergies in the family, or a half-term rhythm you don’t want to disrupt.
So let’s talk about dust.
Because the idea of it — the floating, sticking, hard-to-get-rid-of kind — can be the thing that stops someone from even asking the question.
“Will it be like sawdust everywhere?”
It’s one of the first things people say when they ring us.
Or sometimes, they don’t say it directly — they just ask:
“How bad is it really?”
“Will we be able to stay in the house?”
“Do we need to take the kids somewhere else?”
The honest answer?
It’s nothing like it used to be.
But it’s not magic either — it’s the right equipment, done with care, by people who take pride in the outcome and the process.
The Difference Modern Equipment Makes
In the past, even the best sanding teams couldn’t prevent mess.
The machines just weren’t built that way. The sawdust would fly straight into the air — and settle into soft furnishings, radiators, cupboards, even between floorboards.
But today?
We use professional sanding units like the Bona DCS 70, built with powerful onboard extraction systems designed to collect over 98% of airborne particles at source. These aren’t standard machines. They’re specialist tools made to protect homes — especially those with children, pets, or asthma concerns.
If you’d like to see what we use, you can explore the exact Bona Dust Containment System here.
“It still sounds too good to be true…”
And that’s fair. Because if you’ve had building work before, you know how dust finds its way into everything.
Which is why we never promise “dust-free”. We say this instead:
“We’ll control it so carefully, it won’t become a problem.”
Here’s what that means in real terms:
- Vacuum-sealed extraction at the source (not just a bag — an actual suction unit)
- Doorway masking and edge sealing to stop drift into other rooms
- Post-job vacuuming of the work area with HEPA-grade equipment
We’ve even had clients go in with white gloves after we’ve finished — and call to say thank you.
A Family Home in Cambridge — Real Story
Last year, we sanded and finished the hallway and dining room of a young family’s Victorian terrace just off Mill Road in Cambridge. Two kids under 6, a dog, and a very practical mum.
She had one rule:
“No dust in the playroom. I don’t want to be wiping Lego bricks.”
We sealed the double door between the dining room and the playroom with zip sheeting, ran low-noise extraction during nap hours, and planned the job over two half-days.
By the time we finished, she told us:
“It’s cleaner than before you arrived — and the dog didn’t even flinch.”
That’s what dust control really means. Not “perfect” — but calm, controlled, and thought-through.
Can You Stay in the House During the Work?
Often — yes. Especially if we’re working in zones or doing one level at a time.
Here’s what we help families consider:
- Airflow
We’ll talk about whether we need windows open or fans on — depending on the finish you choose. - Timing
A standard hallway sanding job can often be done in one day. Larger spaces take 2–3. - Noise + Disruption
It’s not silent — but it’s not unbearable. We’ve done jobs while online meetings were happening in the next room.
If someone in your home has a respiratory issue, we might recommend taking a day away or staying upstairs while we finish the ground floor. But we’ll plan this together — and you’ll always know what to expect.
Myths We Want to Gently Clear Up
A few things we hear often:
“Someone told me sanding ruins your walls.”
→ Not true — unless it’s done carelessly or with outdated gear. We seal edges carefully.
“The dust will linger for days.”
→ Not with professional containment and cleanup.
“You have to move out completely.”
→ In most cases, you really don’t.
We’re not just here to deliver the service. We’re here to protect the experience — and that includes your peace of mind.
What Happens After the Sanding?
This is often the most surprising part. When we’re finished:
- The room feels clear. Lighter.
- There’s no sanding smell — just clean, aired timber.
- Your furniture returns to a space that feels almost new.
And you walk across it for the first time and think:
“Why did we wait so long?”
Still Wondering?
You don’t need to be ready to book.
You don’t even need to be sure this is what you want.
But if dust is the only thing holding you back — let’s talk about it.
Because once you know how we handle it, you might just feel ready to see what your floor could become.
Useful Links for You:
- We walk through the full process on our wood floor sanding service page here.
- For more blogs that may help you, you can visit our Cambridge floor sanding site.
