Any sanding dust left on the surface seems to grow in size after a clear finish is applied. The best thing to clean dust off is a tack cloth. The tack cloth is treated with a very sticky substance that cleans the dust out of nooks, crannies and wood grain. Sanding for Staining The success of your staining job is directly related to your sanding job. If the sanding is uneven, then the stain will be uneven too.
Stain is absorbed more in less smooth areas.
If you plan a clear finish, only, you can get away with a little less stringent sanding. More about clear finish only in a minute. Stain Density of Color Stain density of color can be determined by the amount of sanding and the grit of sandpaper. As you use progressively finer grit sandpaper there are fewer wood fibers available for stain to be absorbed into. The stain also soaks into the wood, depending on the hardness or softness of the wood.