How to Remove Carpet Pad Stains from Hardwood Floors

Did you recently move your old carpet to find some stains on your hardwood floor? Looking for other alternatives to refinishing? Here’s how to remove carpet pad stains from hardwood floors before you go for a refinish. Keep reading!

The sticky goo stains are an ugly sight on your hardwood floor; they can be very persistent and cause you to damage your floor in an attempt to remove it. You need not worry though, with the right tools, you can flick them off. 

How to Remove Carpet Pad Stains

Rubber backings on old carpet pads make it stick to the surface. While it’s good to prevent the slippy carpet, but these non-moving rubber backings, in the long run, leave sticky residue creating marks. Let’s dive into the methods.

Easy DIY Methods

DIY methods are a great way to learn new things and execute them properly. This is a list containing different DIY methods so you can learn them for future uses. You will need a scraper and a few tools that are listed below.

Scraping

We’ll start with the basics here—the quickest and the most expected way to clean leftover stains from your carpet; scraping. You can use a sharp tool or different kinds of scrapers to get done with.

You’d be surprised at how many tools you could use as a scraper. There are normal scrapers; then there’s your credit card.

Yep, a credit card can help scrape your hardwood flooring of stains if used right. If you’re worried about using a credit card, perhaps you should try out a Carbide-Tipped scraper.

A carbide-tipped scraper is a very sharp tool used for scraping; it is very reliable. It has a 2-inch blade that can reach the hardest spots and effectively scrape off whatever needs scraping. It is a clean-cutting tool.

Well, you can use a putty knife to scrub the marks too.

Don’t worry; there are many ways to go through if scraping alone does not work. Scraping is the most basic when removing stains; when you combine it with some helpful tools and applications, nothing is unremovable. 

Vinegar

The acidic properties in vinegar can break down the stains leftover by the carpet padding;

• Soak a rag in vinegar
• Lay it on the sticky area and the adhesive
• Let it rest there for a few minutes 
• Remove rug pad marks by wiping it off

If this didn’t do it for you, I’d say it’s time to bring out the guns.

Heat Gun

A heat gun will melt the sticky residue left over by the carpet, but you must be careful not to burn or damage the floor. It should only be used if all the other methods fail in removing the carpet pad marks. This is an effective method when you combine it with scrub. 

Wallpaper Steamer

Remember to wear gloves for this one as wallpaper steamers tend to drip hot water.

While this method is used for removing marks from the carpet, you can also use it to remove stains caused by carpet padding.

Heat the steamer and put it on the carpet pad stains. It won’t take long for the stains to break down due to the steam. Use a scraper to scrape the dirt marks off. This method is not that efficient. However, if you have patience, you can try.

Firstly, spray ammonia and water mix over the dirt marks.

Secondly, rub the stains with an old toothbrush.

Thirdly, put the wallpaper steamer over the stained floor for a moment.

Finally, wipe the wood flooring with a towel.

Dry Ice

Dry ice can do many miracles, but did you know that it can help remove marks as well? Blasting dry ice onto the stains can remove rug pad marks/ carpet marks. All you have to do is to scrape them off later. Dry ice will stop the sticky properties of the goo, and it’ll just slide right off. 

The process is called dry ice blasting because CO2 is blasted to the surface using a hose. The advantage is because dry ice transforms into a gas, no residue is formed.

Products to Clean With 

Sentinel 747 Adhesive Remover

This one has a very high probability of working. It is made for the sole purpose of removing adhesive. Mix Sentinel 747 with warm water with a 1:1 ratio. Spread in on the marks. For glue stains, it’s recommended to let the solution sit for 60-90 minutes, but for carpet padding stains, you can wait just 10-15 minutes. Next, wipe it with a soft dry cloth.

.It’s that simple. It won’t leave any bad odor, and it’s easy to clean off.

WD40

WD40 is known to get everything done. Be it a car or a piece of furniture, it works on everything and everywhere. No surprise here; WD40 is a good way to remove rug pad marks and get them off the wooden floor. Spray it on the carpet padding stains and use a scraper to scrape it off.

Finally, clean the floor with a soft dry cloth.

Murphy’s Oil Soap

Murphy’s oil soap is a great grease-cutting cleaner. It is meant for wood floors and has been around for a long while. It is one of the best cleaners out there. Apply some to the stains and use a scraper to scrape them off. 

Mix Murphy’s oil soap with water(hot) and use it to wipe marks caused due to carpet padding using a soft cloth. Later, dry the hardwood surface with a dry cloth. Regain the shine by buffing the surface.

Orange Goop

Another one with a very high probability of working, orange goop, is meant to remove goop from practically everything. Mechanics use these to get the grease off their hands and other automobile parts. Plus, you can use it to remove stains caused by carpet pads.

It will work well on the hardwood floor. Pour a bit and let it sit for 5 minutes, and wipe it off. Not to mention, it preserves the shine of the wooden floor.

The best part is, this is bio-degradable, and you don’t need water to dilute. Use the solvent directly.

Denatured Alcohol

Rubbing denatured alcohol onto the stains can help remove stains created by carpet padding. Allow the alcohol to sit on the stains for a few minutes to break it down, and then wipe it off or rub the area with simple bar soap. 

If none of the above have helped you clear the stains off your hardwood floor, it may be time to start considering sanding and refinishing. 

Mineral spirits can be used as an alternative to denatured alcohol.

Sanding and Refinishing

Hardwood flooring will last you for the lifetime of the house, but it can be refinished up to seven times if needed. Sanding and refinishing a hardwood floor can be a time-consuming process, but it is worth the hassle. Remember that there may be other options available to you; only go for sanding and refinishing if you really feel the need for it. 

1. Remove rug pad and the carpet from the flooring.
2. Start with cleaning your floors with a hardwood floor cleaner.
3. Use a sandpaper to grit the stained areas as well as any other areas that the floor buffer cannot reach
4. Put on a dust mask and use the buffer. The old finish will turn to powder so it is easy to know where you have sanded.
5. Leave the floor for 5 minutes
6. Vacuum and clean the old finish off the new finish

Conclusion

Carpet pad marks are easy to remove when it’s done the right way. We have provided you with 10 different ways and applications to help make it easier for you. If not, one of them is bound to work; if not, remember that refinishing the hardwood flooring might be a good idea if 3-4 years have passed since the last finish.