How Do You Remove Glue From a Foam Backing on a Hardwood Floor?

Many homeowners dream of finding beautiful hardwood floors that only require a small amount of restoration under old carpeting. Once you remove the old carpeting, glue residue is often left behind from the backing of the carpet and from the carpet padding. In order to ensure that your hardwood floor is not harmed, you should begin with the least invasive methods and work your way up to more intense methods for removing the glue residue.

Things You'll Need

• Old rags or towels
• Rubbing alcohol
• Spray bottle
• Putty knife

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Boil 1 gallon of water and allow it to cool slightly.

   • 2

     Apply the hot water to the glue residue on the hardwood floor with old rags or towels. Hot water can dissolve old glue without using harsh chemicals.

   • 3

     Wipe away the excess water and glue with dry rags or towels.

   • 4

     Add undiluted rubbing alcohol to a clean spray bottle. Spray the rubbing alcohol directly onto any glue that remains.

   • 5

     Scrape remaining glue away from the hardwood floor with a putty knife.