Hmmmmmmmmmmmm...Call your contractor and tell him that the paint crew will not be permitted on the premises until all sanding dust is removed.

Let him be responsible.

Michael

Prior to painting, I'll wipe down the sheetrock with dampened grout sponges, the big orange ones.

Rinse often, squeeze fairly dry.

It's a simply wiping motion over the surface. Goes very quickly. Don't scrub and don't get it too wet, as you don't want to pill the drywall paper.

The damp sponge method is also good for feathering out any minor flaws in the drywall mud that were missed when sanding. We call it "wet sanding."

Mongo

Hey Mongo, thanks for that advice.

DH is doing what he calls a "level 5 finish" on our walls, so the mud is all over. No matter how much he vaccuums, there is still a layer of white on one's fingers when you wipe it, so I was wondering what to do before I prime and paint. I was thinking a moist wipe was the only solution and I'm going to try your recommendation. Unless you tell me this won't work for all mudded walls. But it seems to me this would work just as well or better.

Thanks again, and thanks berob for posting this question!

Ivette

microfiber cloths are also an option - head over to your local target and go to the automotive section - you can get 12 packs for 5 bucks or so. Pick up two packs and start wiping everything down. When they're all dirty, put them in a bucket and rinse them outside using the hose to get most of the dust out then throw them in the washing machine.

just remember - always wash microfiber clothes by themselves or else they will pick up lint from the other clothes!