I've found the secret to stopping dust spreading during a renovation – and it only costs £20 on Amazon
Content director Laura Crombie swears by these plastic door bags for keeping your home dust- and dirt-free during a renovation
If you're in the middle of a renovation, you'll know how frustrating all the dust and dirt can be – especially when it starts being traipsed through your home while you're still living there.
But what if we told you there was a solution to stop that, and it would cost you only £20 from Amazon? Well, our content director, Laura Crombie, has shared the ultimate hack for doing just that and says it's one of the best purchases she's ever made.
To prevent the dreaded dust from spreading, she attaches plastic zip-up covers to her doorways, which act as a barrier between a room that's being renovated and one that's still being used.
Simple yet genius, these plastic doors help keep the dust out while you renovate and feature a zip for easy access. Plus, they’re a bargain at under £20 for a pack of two.
Available in 12 different colours, this duct tape is ideal for attaching plastic door covers. It’s heavy-duty, waterproof and comes in handy for all sorts of DIY projects.
The plastic covers easily attach to the frame of your door with duct tape, so there’s no need for drilling or screwing, and they can be added and removed quickly as needed. Even better, they can be reused again and again, as they can be wiped clean with a damp cloth.
While you can attach disposable plastic decorating sheets to doors you don’t frequently use, Laura recommends zip-up covers for areas you still need to pop in and out of.
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While these plastic door covers will make a huge difference when it comes to keeping dust contained, there are other tricks you can combine them with to keep your space as tidy as possible:
1. Vacuum regularly: Investing in one of the best vacuum cleaners for builders’ dust is a decision you won’t come to regret. Use it regularly to avoid build-up and wipe down surfaces with a damp cloth.
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2. Use an air purifier: HEPA air purifiers capture 99.97% of airborne particles, including dust, and will come in handy post-renovation as well. Our assistant editor Sarah Harley tested the Molekule Air Pro which removes toxins from the air.
3. Use dust sheets: Alongside your plastic door covers, it’s worth laying dust sheets over furniture and floors to keep everything protected.
Dust is inevitable when you’re tackling jobs such as sanding and demolition, but by putting a few preventative measures in place, you’ll help reduce the mess and chaos as much as possible.
Want more of our favourite DIY tips? See how Laura created a built-in pantry for under £350 using Amazon furniture or her £10 hack for painting furniture flawlessly.

As Content Editor at Homebuilding & Renovating, Megan is passionate about providing expert-backed advice and creative inspiration to help readers transform their living spaces. Her love for DIY began while helping to renovate her parents’ family home, sparking a fascination with interiors, renovation, and design. More recently, she assisted with the renovation of her partner’s house in Bristol and is currently expanding her expertise through an Introduction to Home Improvement course. She joined the Homebuilding & Renovating team in 2025, having previously worked as a Staff Writer at PetsRadar and Beauty Assistant at Harrods.
