How to Remove Glue From Self-Stick Floor Tiles

Mineral Spirits

• 1

  Pour a capful of mineral spirits into a rag to get the rag wet but not dripping.

• 2

  Rub the wet cloth over the adhesive in circular motions until the mineral spirits dissolve the adhesive.

• 3

  Scrape any remaining adhesive with a putty knife. This will not require much strength if the mineral spirit-covered rag had been wet enough to soak the adhesive without soaking the floor.

• 4

  Wet the rag again with mineral spirits if the adhesive is difficult to remove with a few passes of the putty knife and rub the adhesive longer.

• 5

  Wash the floor with warm, soapy water to remove mineral spirits before beginning the new floor placement.

Dry Ice

• 6

  Place a block of dry ice on the tile adhesive while wearing gloves to protect your hands from damage.

• 7

  Allow the dry ice to freeze the adhesive for five minutes.

• 8

  Place the dry ice on another section of adhesive and scrape the frozen adhesive off the floor with a putty knife. The adhesive should lift from the floor in frozen chunks after some strong scraping.

• 9

  Continue this pattern until the entire floor is clear of adhesive.