How to Remove Linoleum From Wood

Old linoleum can look dirty from heavy foot traffic and years of use. It's best to remove linoleum that no longer responds to cleaning or maintenance. To prevent future linoleum wear from occurring, give your flooring a weekly cleaning. Dirt and debris act as sandpaper that takes the finish off linoleum. Clean off stains as soon as they occur. Remove the linoleum from wood flooring to install new flooring or use the wood floors underneath.

Things You'll Need

• Utility knife
• Heat gun
• Needle-nose pliers
• Pry bar
• Garbage bag
• Floor scraper
• Mineral spirits
• Rag
• Hand sander
• 50-grit sandpaper
• 80-grit sandpaper
• Broom
• Level
• Hot water

Instructions

1. Cut the linoleum into 12cm to 20cm strips with a utility knife. Make the cuts running with the linoleum.

2. Heat the linoleum with a heat gun. Wait for the linoleum to get hot and use a pair of needle-nose pliers to lift the flooring. For hard-to-lift pieces, use a pry bar. Place the cut linoleum in a garbage bag.

3. Scrape the glue underneath the linoleum with a floor scraper. Avoid gouging the wood with the floor scraper by going with the grain of the wood. Use mineral spirits to help break down the glue. Pour mineral spirits on a rag and apply to the wood floor.

4. Sand the wood with sandpaper to remove glue and create an even surface. Use a hand sander with 50-grit sandpaper, then switch to an 80-grit sandpaper.

5. Sweep up the debris from the flooring. Use a level to ensure the floor is even. Decide if you want to use the existing wood floors or install new linoleum.

Tips & Warnings

• Pour hot water on linoleum as an alternative to using a heat gun.

• Refrain from using both the heat gun and water method to prevent electrocution.

References

• Linoleum Floor: How to Remove Linoleum
• Flooring Guide: Removing Linoleum