If you go and take a long look at all the forums centered on this, you’d be tired. Why? Oh, I’ll tell you why. They had to find ways to remove the excess glue from hardwood, most of which did not work. And some methods were backbreaking. Most of their pains and frustration come from contractors who did poorly at installation.
Most hardwood installation follows the glue-down method. There are two other procedures called nail-down and floating. Because of the glue stains, it can be assumed that the glue-down method was used. Now, there are two types of glue: urethane and synthetic polymer. Bostik is a leading adhesive brand when it comes to wood installation.
Don’t be discouraged, though, because there are promising solutions. And though opinions from experience might say otherwise. This article discusses how people removed the glue from their wood flooring.
How Hard Is It to Remove Glue Stains from A Hardwood Floor?
It depends, but the answer will be ‘yes’ for most. Installing wood floors requires professionals. And they know that they should not leave glue on the floor.
As a homeowner, getting glue residue off will be time-consuming and frustrating. If it’s just regular glue, then chances are they won’t be that hard. Never sand your engineered hardwood floors, though.
Removing Glues that Are Not a Result From Installation
Sometimes, the glue gets stuck on the floor because of a household accident. Maybe there are kids or a person who does arts and crafts.
Wet Glue
If your problem involves everyday household glue, immediately get to the scene. Boil water, and let a towel or piece of cloth be soaked in it. Scrub that towel into the glue spot; most of the glue should be off. (Learn How To Paint Over Black Lacquer Furniture)
Dried Glue
If the glue has dried, you must meet or break it. There are many ways you could melt the glue. But a channel on YouTube recommends a hair blower or a hot towel. Put a wet rag in the microwave to heat it.
After melting the glue, please do what you can to remove it. Use a dry cloth, then use the hot towel repeatedly. Another method involves using ice and a thin plastic bag. Believe it or not, ice can be an adhesive remover for wood. Place a tissue paper on top of the mess, then place the ice bag on top of the tissue.
Then, gently break the glue using a soft but sturdy object. When peeling the glue away, you can use your nails and some cotton as cushions. Natural oils and acids can then take out what’s left. Some examples include lemon juice, citric acid, and vinegar. Dab the spot with several materials for about 20 minutes. If one does not work, try another one.
Lubricants, like elbow grease, can also altogether remove glue.
Lastly, clean the floor with a hardwood cleaner or a towel soaked in dishwashing soap.
Commercial Products can also be used. These are common enough that you could find them just about everywhere. Krud Kutter and Goo Gone are a couple of examples.
- Krud Kutter – an all-purpose mess cleaner. It’s supposed to be safe on a lot of surfaces.
- Goo Gone Original Liquid Surface Safe Adhesive Remover is a famous brand. But it’s not for unfinished wood, though.
Wear Personal Protective Equipment like gloves and a mask. These things are toxic. Also, test the product first before using it. Follow the instructions on the product, and you should be good to go.
Again, do not use sandpaper because engineered hardwood is made only to be sanded once or never. Also, there’s a chance your floor’s finish might get ruined, so do a spot test.
Removing Glues that Result From Installation
Have the Contractors Fix it
Now, this is the first thing you probably did. But if not, reach out to the people who installed your floors and have them fix the floor. If they won’t, though, you should ask for some advice.
Refinishing
If your floor can be refinished, then this is a good option. But you wouldn’t have to go to this extreme, mainly if some other solution could be found.
Bostik Handy Wipes
Bostik hand wipes have worked for some. According to their description, they are intended for adhesives, oil, grime, and dust. They are towels used for scrubbing.
The most important thing about this is that they are not supposed to leave any residue or marks. As with anything, it’s best to spot-test first. You might consider that this product is not explicitly made for wood floors.
Norwex cleaning cloths
You’ll have to take this one with a grain of salt. Vinegar could damage your engineered hardwood floors, especially the finish. A person recommended Norwex Cleaning Cloth and a water-vinegar solution to remove adhesives. It might be worth trying, but remember that vinegar could be damaging. Also, this is an arduous process.
Magic Eraser Sponges
You make the sponge wet and rub in the area of interest. It’s not recommended on a lot of surfaces, though. High gloss wood or untreated wood are bad ideas for this product. Scratch this idea off your list unless you are desperate.
Bostick’s Urethane Adhesive Remover (Liquid)
This is the alternative form of wipes. It is recommended for non-wax floors only. What’s good about it is that it was designed to remove urethane adhesive precisely. It’s suitable for wet and dry urethane glue.
So, of course, you must find the adhesive used for the project from your contractor. The elbow greased is to be paired with the liquid form of Bostik.
Razor As A Scraper
This is a pretty straightforward method. You could use the methods above with a razor as the scraper. A glue remover is applied to the area of interest.
Then, manually remove the glue with a razor at 45 degrees to the floor. Does this take time and breakbacks? It’s time-consuming, so this is not recommended for dealing with an entire floor.
Floor Cleaners
If there is still residue after you have tried the various methods, use floor cleaners. They don’t leave residue on their own. Mineral Spirits might be a good option as the final floor cleaner. They don’t damage wood even though they are harsh. Dab a small amount of paint thinner on a cloth, then rub the surface. (Read Can You Paint Foam Insulation)
Engineered Wood Flooring vs. Hardwood Floors
Engineer wood is made up of layers, unlike hardwood. It’s less expensive than hardwood floors and can be installed anywhere. It should last around 25 years, and if proper measures are in place, it can last much longer.
Hardwood is just a solid block of wood. Like everything involving choices A and B, both have pros and cons. What’s better for one house depends on preferences, lifestyle, and subfloor type.
The most significant advantage of a hardwood floor over an engineered wood floor is that it can be sanded many times.
- Hardwood requires a wooden subfloor and does not apply to basements. At the same time, engineered wood floors can be installed on top of a concrete slab.
- In terms of repairs and makeovers, hardwood is better.
- Solid hardwood sells better because many prefer its longevity and better looks.
- Engineered hardwood is more resistant to temperature and is generally more stable.
- Engineered hardwood is a less expensive option when dealing with a floor with a plywood subfloor.
Summary
There is no one method for getting the glue out of engineered wood flooring because many factors exist. What glue was used? What are the properties of the wood floor?
If you try removing glue, you might be tempted to use sandpaper. And that would be disastrous in some cases. If the floor can be sanded and refurbished at least twice, that’s okay. The problem is most can only be filed once or never.
There are a plethora of adhesive removers like Bostik wipes or Magic Eraser. But would you want to risk damage to your brand-new floor? So, spot testing is essential. You might wonder what the best adhesive remover for engineered hardwood floors is. There is no definitive answer. But Bostik Urethane Adhesive Remover coupled with Magic wipes might be the best. (Learn How Long For PVC Cement To Dry)
Of course, these only work on a specific type of glue. Wood flooring can, without a doubt, be a wonderful thing to look at. And it is something that could impact resale value. Depending on where you are in the US, many do not prefer an engineered hardwood floor.
So when you have a glue spot, youu should do what you can. This guide aimed to be as comprehensive as possible, but many factors must be considered. Ultimately, the success would depend on trial and error. Anyways, we hope your wood flooring will look the way it should. Good luck!
