Adhesive residue can mar the otherwise pristine canvas of a laminate floor. If glue somehow finds its way onto your laminate flooring, it not only affects its beauty but also attracts dust and bits of debris which all come together to create a sticky mess.
The best-suited removal method for adhesive on laminate floor depends on the severity of the residue left on the floor. You can start with a gentle approach and move on to sanding the glue off if needed.
There are ways to remove adhesive from laminate flooring without damaging the floorboards. To know more about this, keep reading this article.
Read: How to remove glue from carpet
How To Remove Adhesive From Laminate Flooring
Table of Contents
Using Nail Polish Remover
If you have only tiny spots of adhesive residue on your laminate floor, nail polish remover can be used as a quick fix.
To use nail polish to remove adhesive residue, start by pouring a small amount of nail polish remover onto a clean cloth and apply it all over the adhesive. The nail polish, as well as the rubbing motion, should soften the adhesive and enable it to come off easily.
When using an acetone-based nail polish remover, you may need to wear safety gears like a nose mask as solvent is usually accompanied by heavy fumes.
Read: Removing floor polish with windex
Heavy Solvents Or Thinners
If you have large areas that are covered with adhesive, you would need a more aggressive approach. You can make use of mineral spirits, paint thinners, or even lighter fluids to remove dried adhesives.
Dampen a clean cloth with solvent of choice and apply it over the adhesive. Allow the liquid to sit for a couple of minutes so that it penetrates the adhesive.
Then use a paint scraper to remove the adhesive that might have softened. If the chemical you made use of was effective, you should be able to easily scrape away the adhesive. Do not be too forceful when scraping the adhesive with the paint scraper to avoid damaging your laminate flooring underneath.
Depending on how large the area covered by the adhesive is, you may need to repeat this procedure a number of times. But make sure to always scrape the adhesive as gently as possible. If the adhesive is stiff and difficult to scrape, you can reapply the solvent and allow it to sit for more time.
After successfully scrapping the entire adhesive off, use a clean, dry cloth to wipe the area clean and remove the last of the solvent.
When working with strong solvents, it is recommended to keep the room well-ventilated as most of these substances give off strong fumes and are also highly flammable.
Using Steam
If you do not want a method that involves using harsh chemicals, then this is the right method for you. All you need to do is place a damp cloth over the adhesive and use a hot clothes iron to run through the top of the cloth; the steam will cause the glue to soften and make it easy to remove.
You will need to wipe or scrape the area to remove the adhesive, but the steam from the iron makes it a lot easier.
If you have concerns about the heat damaging your laminate flooring, you can skip this method and opt for others that are best suited for you.
Using A Putty Knife Or Blade
If it is the residue of super glue you are dealing with, you can use putty or a single-sided razor blade to remove it.
Simply slide the blade between the adhesive and the floor and remove as much glue as you can gently. After reducing the quantity of the adhesive residue, you can use nail polish remover or any other solvent to completely get everything off.
Using Dry Ice
If you are dealing with carpet glue from a previous carpet installation, keep in mind that carpet adhesives can be quite tricky to remove from laminate floors.
One way to remove carpet adhesive is by placing dry ice on the carpet glue. Do not place the ice directly on the floor; instead, place it on a metal tray on top of the adhesive and allow it to sit for a few minutes.
The dry ice will cause the glue to freeze and become solid and brittle. When this happens, you will be able to gently scrape away the adhesive. You can repeat this process until you have completely removed the adhesive. Then use a solvent of choice to wipe off any residue.
When handling dry ice, ensure to wear heavy-duty gloves so that the dry ice does not have direct contact with your skin.
Using Acetone
Acetone is a very effective adhesive removal but should be used as a last resort; you can purchase concentrated acetone from your local hardware store.
When using acetone, you will also need a scrapping knife. You want a knife that will not leave scratches or marks on your laminate floor like a plastic putty knife.
You will also need paper towels or cleaning cloths to wipe any leftover moisture off your floor, as laminate flooring is very sensitive to liquid. Moisture can cause discoloration on your laminate floor.
When working with acetone, you need to ensure that your work area is properly ventilated as too much inhalation of acetone can irritate your respiratory tract and cause headaches or other severe symptoms.
Before using the acetone on your floor, you would need to spot-test the acetone. You can do this by applying some acetone to a small hidden area on your laminate flooring.
Place a small dot of acetone on the spot and allow it to dry before checking for any sign of discoloration. If the acetone did not cause any damage to your flooring, you can go ahead and use it.
To use acetone, apply it onto the adhesive using a clean rag, then give the acetone some time to soften the glue.
For small areas, you can apply the acetone using a cotton swab and work it into the adhesive until it softens. When the glue softens, use your putty knife to gently scrape away the adhesive. Do this very gently; you’re using a steel butter knife to prevent scratches.
Repeat the process as many times as needed until you remove all the adhesive. It may take a couple of tries to get all the adhesive entirely off.
Keep pouring drops of acetone on the adhesive, allow it to sit, and then scrape away with your knife till your laminate flooring is free of adhesive residue.
What Is The Best Floor Adhesive Remover?
The best adhesive remover will save your floor from being ruined by adhesive residue. If you have a sticky floor, the right adhesive remover will save you a lot of cleaning effort as it breaks down the molecular bonds that make the adhesive sticky.
However, it is important that you choose the right floor adhesive remover as not every adhesive remover is suitable for every surface type.
So if you are pondering on the question, “what is the best floor adhesive remover? This article is here to make the choosing process easier by listing some of the best adhesive removers.
Goo Gone Original Liquid
Goo gone’s is the first on our list and is one of the best when it comes to removing adhesive residue. It has a citrus and petroleum-based formula, which is safe on most hard surfaces, but not the best for rubber and delicate fabrics, as Goo Gone can damage these types of materials.
If you intend to use goo-gone adhesive remover for a car interior, it is recommended that you spot-test the product in an unobservable place before using it in your vehicle.
Goo Gone can be used to remove stickers, wax, marker and crayon residue, glue, tar, decals, and even glitter. To use goo gone, simply dampen a paper towel or q-tip and apply to the problem spots.
3m General Purpose Adhesive Remover
3m’s general purpose adhesive cleaner is best for heavy-duty cleaning; it has a solvent-based formula, which can be used to remove light spray paint, adhesive residue, wax, grease, road tar, oil, and bugs.
It is also available in an aerosol formula, but this should be used cautiously as it has certain health, safety, and environmental risks. Always work in a ventilated space while wearing the proper safety gear like gloves, goggles, and mask.
3m’s general purpose adhesive cleaner is also suited for automotive and garage use and will not damage your paint, vinyl, or fabric.
Custom Shop Restoration Grease And Wax Remover
If you are trying to get a professional cleaning at home, then custom shop restoration grease and wax remover is the cleaner for you. It is a solvent-based spray that works well on painted surfaces, metal, plastic, epoxy, and fiberglass.
This product dries quickly and can be used to remove car wax, as well as a general prep of your vehicle. To apply custom shop restoration grease and wax remover, start by spraying the product onto a clean, lint-free cloth and apply it onto the problem area, then use a separate wet cloth to wipe off any residue.
This product can be used to remove grease, wax, tar, and silicones. But this product should be used sparingly on interior surfaces, as its formula is not designed for plastic polymers, leather, or fabrics.
Oil Eater Original
If you have an oil stain on your floor surface, it can be tough to get out, especially when you’re dealing with dark, oily, resinous marks on areas like your garage floor or living room carpet. The oil eater’s liquid degreaser is the most effective product for such problems.
This product is USDA-approved for nonfood surfaces and has no acids or petroleum-based solvents content. To use this product, you would need to dilute it in some water as it is very concentrated. You can use it for oil spots on laundry, floors, carpets, tile floors, decks, asphalt, concrete, and different floor surface.
How To Choose The Best Floor Adhesive Remover
Floor adhesive removers are available in three main formulas: citrus-based, soy-based, and solvent-based. The best adhesive remover for you depends on the type of mess you are dealing with and your type of flooring.
You also need to consider the application method of the product as well. Here are ways to choose the best floor adhesive remover.
The Type Of Flooring
Sticky residue on your floor can create a big mess and might even make the floor hard to walk upon, but using the wrong product on your floor will cause a greater problem. This is why it is important to always opt for a product formula that is safe to use or specifically formulated to use on your particular surface.
You also need to consider the type of adhesive you are trying to eliminate. This is because some adhesives are more difficult to remove than others.
Adhesives, known as “reactive adhesives,” are the most stubborn type of adhesive because they contain an extra chemical hardener which gives them an extra secure bond. This type of adhesives is used to secure vinyl flooring, fasten decals, and wheel weights on vehicles.
Removing reactive adhesive can be quite difficult, and you would need a product that can break down strong bonds. Solvent-based remover is best suited for such a type of adhesive.
Read: How to remove paint from tile floor
Type Of Formula
When trying to remove floor adhesive, it is recommended that you start with the most gentle option before resorting to heavy-duty solvents if needed. There are different types of adhesive remover formulas to choose from; you should opt for one that suits you most.
- Citrus-based removers
These products contain a mixture of citrus fruit extract and propane as their main ingredients. They may also include chemicals like chloride, halogen, sulfur, and fluoride. Goo gone mentioned above is a mixture of citrus extracts and petroleum-based chemicals.
This type of adhesive remover is best for common household messes, as they have a mild formula. They can be used to remove adhesive residue from tape, stickers, and cooking oil. These products have the ability to fight grime in both kitchens and bathrooms.
- Soy-based removers
This type of adhesive remover contains soybean oil and propane as their active ingredients. Soy is the main ingredient in most industrial and professional-grade adhesive removal products.
It is stronger than most citrus-based products and is great for loosening old tacky bonds like mastic adhesives and glues holding down old carpeting.
However, it may take soy-based removers several hours to soften old glue sufficiently. But when they soften, you can go ahead and scrape the surface clean, after which you can dissolve the product with water and soap.
- Solvent-based removers
This is one of the strongest adhesive removers on the market. They can penetrate surfaces and break down the chemical bonds of any adhesive before erasing.
Active ingredients of solvent-based removers can include harsh and potentially caustic chemicals like xylene, ethylbenzene, toluene, benzene, methanol, and naphtha, which is a petroleum-based chemical that can be used to clean metal, so you should handle this type of products with utmost care and according to instructions.
Only make use of this type of product as a last resort. Some of these products may contain a specific warning about ethylbenzene, which is cancerogenic, and methanol, which certain studies have linked to causing birth defects and reproductive harm.
- “greener” adhesive removers
These are more environmentally friendly products that are being developed due to increasing concerns over health, safety, and climate change. These products are marketed as biodegradable and nontoxic.
But these products are relatively new on the market and lack widespread consumer and expert reviews vouching for their effectiveness. Their newness also makes it difficult to find the complete lists of ingredients for these products, so it is advised to use this product with caution.
Application Method
Adhesive remover products can be applied in one of three ways, opt for the one that suits you best:
- Spraying
This application method is best for larger surface areas. Most products with spray-on formulas usually come in a spray bottle or an aerosol can. When using such products, ensure to work in a ventilated room or outdoors, and always wear protective gear, like goggles, rubber gloves, and a surgical mask.
- Using paper towel/ cloth
This application method is for liquid adhesive removers, which can be applied with a paper towel or q-tip. This method is best for dealing with more delicate materials like fabrics or antiques and for when you want to make use of very little chemical.
- Scrapping
You can scrape adhesive residue from certain hard surfaces like glass and tile but avoid using any object with sharp edges. You can purchase specially designed scrapers that are available in both metal and plastic blades, so your surface is not scratched or damaged.
Read: Easy Homemade floor cleaner
Conclusion
This article discusses ways to remove adhesive from laminate flooring, so you can restore your surface to its original glory.
This article also gives you an answer to the question what is the best floor adhesive remover? So you can use the best-suited product for your floor.