How to Clean Tile Adhesive

The method you use to clean tile adhesive will depend on what sort of adhesive it is. If the adhesive is thinset mortar, it can be cleaned off with water and a rag or sponge. If the adhesive is like yellow or white "glue," you may have to use a solvent to clean it. Try peeling it off first; you just might get lucky. If not, there are several options to choose from.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mineral spirits, lacquer thinner or naphtha
• Stiff putty knife or razor blade scraper

1. Read the container of the tile adhesive, if you happen to have it. The packaging should tell you what solvent to use for cleanup. If you do not know which solvent is recommended, choose either mineral spirits, lacquer thinner or naphtha.

2. Use the razor blade or the putty knife to carefully scrape any adhesive that will come off on its own.

3. Saturate the area to be cleaned with your chosen solvent.

4. Allow the solvent to sit on the adhesive for several minutes. Try 10 minutes to start.

5. Scrape the adhesive again to remove.

6. Repeat steps 3 through 5, adding time to Step 4, until the tile adhesive is gone.

References

• Cleaning tile adhesive