Solid Hardwood, Engineered and Laminate Flooring - Leveling techniques

Any advice on making a gypcrete slap flat? I used self leveling compound in the kitchen, but there were several ridges in it after it dried. I had to trowel out several layers of leveling compound to correct it (sort of defeats the purpose of using self leveling compound). Anyways, in the dinning room, I have several uneven spots and it seems like it is going to take a month to get the floor level just so I can lay some laminate down. Does anyone know a good method for cleaning up your bucket that you mixed the leveling compound in if you don't have access to a hose ( I live in a condo). I keep going through buckets because by the time I get it mixed and troweled out, the remaining compound in the bucket gets too hard to clean it out without a hose.

There is a sticky at the top showing how to prep.

Place some newspapers (anything) down in one spot and use a margin trowel to scrape out the bucket contents, just leave it there till you are finished. Empty cardboard boxes from a grocery store come in handy too.