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How to remove Sticky Residue from Laminate Flooring

How to Remove Sticky Residue From Laminate Flooring? (11 Actionable Methods)

Leaving sticky substances like glue and chewing gum on laminated floors will bind them permanently to the floor.

Over time, the sticky substance will trap moisture and wear out the laminated flooring. Hence, immediately cleaning away the residue is crucial. But you must use only those cleaning methods that are friendly to laminate flooring. 

Continue reading to know the 11 correct methods of removing sticky residue from laminate flooring.

Table Of Contents

🕺How to Remove Sticky Residue From Laminate Flooring?

MethodsWhen To Use
1. Microfiber mopFresh sticky deposition
2. Thick solvent or thinnerChewing gum/glue residue
3. Pencil eraser/ melamine foam spongeSticky scuffs like carpet tape
4. Dry iceCarpet glue
5. Hot iron over clothesSweet Candies
6. Warm waterRed wine, coca cola
7. Vinegar and water solutionMild sticky substance
8. Plastic putty knifeChewing gum/ glue
9. Nail polish remover or acetoneNail paint, oil paints
10. Rubbing alcohol Hard, sticky adhesive
11. Mild heatSticky tape
Also Read: Why My Floors Feel Sticky?

🫧Microfiber Mop

They are brilliant for any fresh sticky substance clinging to your laminated flooring. In addition to that, microfiber cloths do not soak excess water and can clean pet hair and dirt from your laminated floors. Yes, you will need a manufacturer’s cleaning solution, and here’s your method:

  • First, dampen the microfiber cloth with some suitable cleaning solution with vinegar, dish detergent and water solution.
  • Then rub it on the sticky remnants and soak them with the cleaning solution.
  • After 2-3 minutes, gently scrape off the adhesive with the same cloth or a putty knife.
  • Repeat the process until the residue comes off the laminate.
  • Give your floor a final wipe with a clean and dry cloth. Done!

🫗Thick Solvent or Thinner

You need an aggressive cleaner for messy glue residue on the floor. A thick solvent, a paint thinner, mineral spirit, or petroleum spirit can do the job smoothly. The solvent will dissolve the stickiness of the residue and help you remove it effectively without harming the laminated flooring.

Time for action!

  • Grab a clean cloth and dampen it with a thick solvent or thinner. 
  • Tap the damp cloth on the residue and let it rest for several minutes. 
  • Hold a putty knife to scrape off the adhesive once the spirit has loosened the glue. Be gentle, and do not force the residue to come off in one go. 
  • Soak the residue again in the thinner and scrape it off if it is stiff. Be gentle.
  • Once done, use mild soapy water to clean the laminate flooring. Don’t forget to pat dry the surface with a clean cloth immediately.

Warning:

Harmful chemicals like Xylene, Benzene, and Ethyl-benzene can damage your laminated flooring. Avoid using them to clean your laminate floors.

Also Read: How To Remove Paint From Laminate Floors

🧽Pencil Eraser/ Melamine Foam Sponge

Yes, you can use a pencil eraser or melamine foam to clean sticky substances like double-sided tape residue off your laminated floor. However, you will also need rubbing alcohol, white distilled vinegar, or non-stick cooking spray to soak the adhesive and prepare it to be scraped off. 

Let’s dive into the method! 

  • Dampen a clean cotton ball with any of the liquids mentioned above.
  • Let the solution saturate the tape and weaken the adhesive for a few minutes. 
  • Grab a plastic scraper to take off the mess gently. Don’t have a plastic scraper? Use your abandoned credit card!
  • You’ll notice the tape comes off, leaving some sticky residue behind.
  • Rub the residue left back and forth with the pencil eraser or the melamine sponge. Eventually, the eraser or the sponge will rub off the remnants from the laminated floor.
Also Read: Is Fabuloso Safe On Wood Floors?

🧊Dry Ice

You will need dry ice only when the sticky deposition is as strong and stubborn as carpet glue. Thinners or alcohol are insufficient to get it off your laminated flooring. Dry ice is powerful enough to solidify the adhesive and make it easier to remove. Follow the below steps to proceed further.

  • Never put dry ice directly on laminate flooring. Instead, take some dry ice on a metal tray. 
  • Place this try on the same residue spot to fully cover it.
  • Wait for the residue or the glue to solidify, and freeze.
  • Chip off the brittle glue directly. If it doesn’t completely come off, repeat the process. 
  • Wipe the area with a damp cloth and mild soapy water. Then, dry it with a clean, dry towel. That’s all!

🔥Hot Iron Over Clothes

Getting rid of the sticky residue can be as simple as running a hot iron over a wet cloth placed on the spot. Do you wish someone had told you about this earlier? Better late than never, then! Let’s see how to do that:

  • First, wet a clean cloth with water. 
  • Then, place it on the residue.
  • Grab a hot iron and press the residue above the fabric. This will soften the adhesive.
  • Remove the residue from the floor.
  • Wipe the affected area with mild, soapy water and pat dry.

Note: Steam cleaning may affect or damage the laminate flooring, so be cautious.

🚿Warm Water

Use warm water and a useless credit card to remove simple sticky residues like glue stains. Here’s the method: 

  • Damp a cloth in warm water.
  • Rub the residue back and forth to loosen the residue.
  • Scrape off the remaining residue with the credit card.
  • Wipe the area with a mild dishwashing liquid. 
  • Dry it with a clean towel to keep your laminate floors clean. 
Also Read: Why Does My Floor Make My Feet Black?

💦Vinegar and Water Solution

Using vinegar and water solution works best when cleaning a dried sticky residue. This would be a great natural cleaning solution with no side effects. However, remember to use white vinegar only. Follow the steps below:

  • Mix 3-5 cups of water and 1/4th cup of distilled white vinegar.
  • Sweep or dry mop the laminate floor.
  • Wet a dry mop in the solution and squeeze to drain excess water.
  • Rub the adhesive residue until it comes off the laminate floors. 
  • Dry the area with a clean towel after removing the sticky residue.
Also Read: How To Clean Unfinished Wood Floors

🔪Plastic Putty Knife

A plastic putty knife is enough to remove the adhesive if it’s just a matter of dried chewing gum, crayons, or light sticky residue. Let’s do this!

  • Sweep the laminated flooring to remove dirt and debris. You may use a vacuum cleaner too. 
  • Grab the plastic putty knife and start scraping the adhesive. Be gentle; you don’t want to hurt the laminated flooring.
  • Completely remove the stain, use mild soapy water to clean the floor, and pat dry with a clean towel.

💅Nail Polish Remover or Acetone

Inhaling acetone might irritate the respiratory tract and cause headaches. So open the doors and windows of your home to keep it ventilated before using this method. Also, perform a patch test to test discoloration on your laminated floor. With all the precautions set, let’s proceed.

  • Pour some acetone on a clean rag. 
  • Rub the rag on the residue gently. 
  • Keep soaking and rubbing the residue with an acetone rag to loosen the adhesive.
  • Scrape the floor with a putty knife. 
  • Clean the remaining residue with a clean paper towel.
Also Read: How To Remove Spray Paint From Carpet

🍾Rubbing Alcohol 

Rubbing alcohol is a potent cleaning agent good at several cleaning tasks. Talking about the sticky residue, let’s try this!

  • Wet a clean cloth with rubbing alcohol. 
  • Soak the sticky residue with the wet cloth. 
  • Now, gently rub the residue with a soft cloth.
  • Repeat the process until the adhesive comes off the laminate flooring. 
  • Pat dry the area with a clean towel.

🔫Mild Heat

Stubborn adhesives do not leave our laminated floors until they’re provided heat. Therefore, softening the glue with a blow dryer, hair dryer, or heat gun can be effective. This can help you remove sticker residue too. So let’s start the actual process: 

  • Stream the warm air flow to the affected spot until the adhesive is weakened.
  • Soak a cotton cloth with a thinner, mineral spirit, rubbing alcohol, or commercial adhesive remover. 
  • Rub the residue with the cloth gently until it comes off the laminated floor. Wipe off with mild soapy water and pat dry.

😉Shortcuts to Remove Some Specific Residues

  • Crayon: Apply mineral spirit to the spot and wipe with a damp mop.
  • Greeze: First, freeze it with dry ice and scrape it off with a plastic knife.
  • Blood: Clean it with a cloth dampened with a window cleaner.
  • Sweet Beverage: Wipe twice with a damp cloth.
  • Nail paint: Wipe off with a nail polish remover and warm water.
  • Scuffs and heel marks: Rub off with a pencil eraser.
  • Ink: Use a commercial ink remover followed by a damp mop to wipe it off.

💡How to Prevent Laminate Flooring From Becoming Sticky?

Follow these simple yet effective steps to prevent stickiness on your laminate flooring.

  • Avoid Inappropriate cleaning products – Use cleaning solutions according to your floor. Avoid using cleaners that have more quantity of ammonia or alcohol in them. If you have such cleaners, clean the floor with dish soap and water to eradicate the stickiness.
  • No Use Of Dirty Water – Do not use the same dirty water throughout to wipe the entire floor. Instead, keep changing the water with clean water to ensure the floor is not sticky with dirt. 
  • Clean the Floor in a Circular Motion – Try mopping the floor in a circular motion, especially the sticky areas. 
  • Avoid applying soap to floor wax: Cleaning a floor wax requires acidic cleaners. Therefore, merely using soap will result in inefficient cleaning. 
  • Don’t Use Too much water – Try using a dry or dust mop rather than using too much water. For cleaning, of course, water is needed, but the issue with laminate flooring is that the water seeps in through the crack causing damage to the floor. So, use little to no water. Instead, you can use a spray to clean the specific sticky areas. 

☝️How to Remove Sticky Residue From Laminate Flooring: FAQs

Will rubbing alcohol damage laminate flooring?

No, not at all. Your laminated floors will not get damaged by rubbing alcohol, so that you can use it as a cleaning tool. Alcohol has the same pH level as water; it’s neither acidic nor basic. Moreover, it is one of the best cleaning products for maintaining and preserving your laminate floors.

How to remove dried super glue from laminate flooring?

You can remove dried super glue from your laminate flooring in just a few simple steps: 

1. First, you need nail paint remover or acetone, whichever is available, and dip a clean cloth. 
2. Then, rub the area filled with glue spots and avoid putting the chemical directly on the laminate floor. 
3. If this doesn’t work, you can use more acetone or a putty knife and lightly scratch the glue.

Why does the laminate floor always feel sticky?

There are two main reasons for the laminate floor to feel sticky when you have mopped it: 

1. You have mopped it with the wrong cleaning products for your laminate floor, so try using a standard manufacturer’s cleaning solution. 
2. You’ve excessively used the cleaning liquid. Avoid it. Also, do ensure that you change the water after every cleaning session of laminate floors.

What home remedy gets rid of sticky residue?

The best homemade cleaner to remove the residue is warm white vinegar or alcohol soaked in any napkin or towel. 

You just need to put the soaked towel on the residue for around five to ten minutes and then scrape it nicely. You can also use peanut butter or cooking oil for the same.

Can you use Goo Gone on laminate flooring?

Of course, you can use Goo Gone on laminate floors to remove the glue. But it might leave some residue on your floor. 

So, to ensure that your floor is spotless, rub the laminate floors with a cloth dipped in a white vinegar solution after that, and you are done!

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