After removing self-stick tiles from the floor, there is often a glue residue remaining on the floor that is hard to remove with just a putty knife and warm, soapy water. The industrial glue used on self-stick tiles is an adhesive made at cement-bonding strength to prevent tiles from moving when walked on or cleaned. This strength level requires a special adhesive remover because it is not easily removed with simple cleaning or scraping.
Mineral Spirits
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Step 1
Pour a capful of mineral spirits into a rag to get the rag wet but not dripping.
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Step 2
Rub the wet cloth over the adhesive in circular motions until the mineral spirits dissolve the adhesive.
Step 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.
Step 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.
Step 5
Wash the floor with warm, soapy water to remove mineral spirits before beginning the new floor placement.
Dry Ice
Step 1
Place a block of dry ice on the tile adhesive while wearing gloves to protect your hands from damage.
Step 2
Allow the dry ice to freeze the adhesive for five minutes.
Step 3
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.
Step 4
Continue this pattern until the entire floor is clear of adhesive.