How to Dissolve Tile Adhesive

Scrape the adhesive off the floor or wall as best as you can with a putty knife. If the tiles are not all removed, wedge the putty knife under the edge of the tile and lift the tile off the wall or floor.

Pour a capful of mineral spirits on to a rag. Use more if the area to be cleaned is larger than 12-by-12-inches.

Rub the rag on the remaining tile adhesive in a circular motion. The mineral spirits in the rag will dissolve the tile adhesive.

Scrape any clumped or thickened adhesive off the floor or wall using the putty knife. The adhesive may have been placed on the wall or floor too thick and the minimal amount of mineral spirits on the rag is not powerful enough to dissolve it completely but the chemical reaction between the spirits and the adhesive is enough to loosen the bond of the glue to the floor or wall enough to easily scrape it up.

Scrub the cleared floor with warm, soapy water and a sponge to remove any debris or left over adhesive clumps.