Help please! How do I remove things that are stuck to my floor?

Leah Deverett
by Leah Deverett
I've been having this problem way to often.. whether it's sticky tape or dirt that somehow became caked on to the floor - I'm looking for the best way to get it off! I have laminate panelled floors and I'm trying to be careful not to ruin the flooring in the process. I once came close to using an exacto knife to try and scrape off the tape but that didn't seem safe (for the floor's sake ). I'm sure someone out there has a better solution to this! Thanks a ton!
  35 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jan 10, 2017

    Try plain whit toothpaste.

  • Cori Widen Cori Widen on Jan 10, 2017

    Have you tried WD40? I used it recently to get some stickers off of our floor..

  • Johnchip Johnchip on Jan 10, 2017

    It may help on the labor side: I use a nylon kitchen scrubbie sponge, stand on it and rub 'stickys' off using my foot. Gives more pressure that way.

  • Estelle Lewis Estelle Lewis on Jan 10, 2017

    How about Goo Gone? It safely removes sticky residue. Also you may want to try lemon or vinegar.

  • William William on Jan 10, 2017

    I go for Goo Gone or WD40.

    • Marilyn Marilyn on Jan 12, 2017

      WD40 works wonders for removing sticky stuff and that stuff price tags leave behind.You can use it on your car to remove that bumper sticker goo too.I use it often and on many different surfaces and have NEVER had it mar anything.It is an oil so after you remove unwanted "stuff" be sure to re wipe with wet cloth.

  • Catherine Barrett Catherine Barrett on Jan 11, 2017

    Use Goo Gone or vegetable oil. I put some on a cloth and lay it over what you want off. I let it sit for 20 minutes so it can soak into the residue. Then I take a clean cloth and wipe away. I have used Goo Gone for stickers on a dresser to gum on shoes. I love it and it does not discolour, where lemon juice might.


  • Mare Tupper Mare Tupper on Jan 11, 2017

    Use anything greasy like as already suggested WD40 or even PAM for cooking.


    Spray heavily on the glue and allow to sit a few minutes then work the gunk off with a plastic putty knife.


    I once got a $100. tip from a client for removing heavy residue from duct tape from their hardwood floors! I sprayed the residue with PAM and proceded as above.

    • Mare Tupper Mare Tupper on Jan 11, 2017

      OH YEAH!!! Because this is a greasy solvent be sure to clean the floor with a solution of Dawn dish soap (a gentle degreaser) and water to keep from being slippery!

  • Shareene Stenhouse Shareene Stenhouse on Jan 11, 2017

    Goo Gone - best stuff ever

  • Goldrushgal Goldrushgal on Jan 11, 2017

    Coconut oil is my go to for anything stuck anywhere. Make a paste of coconut oil and baking soda, let sit 5 to 15 mins. and wipe off. repeat if needed. Even glue from labels removes easily without scrubbing. Have even used this on our new car without damaging the surface.

  • Pat Pat on Jan 11, 2017

    For scuff marks from rubber soled shoes, use an eraser. For all other ditr on my laminate floors, I use a vinegar and water solution..

  • Leah Deverett Leah Deverett on Jan 12, 2017

    Thanks for all the tips!! Extremely helpful!

  • Inetia Inetia on Jan 12, 2017

    99% alcohol is good to remove greasy sticky stuff. Also to remove the good gone.

  • Linda Abate Linda Abate on Jan 12, 2017

    Try using one of the Mr. Clean erasers, or a scotch brite pad.

  • Carol Kuntz Carol Kuntz on Jan 12, 2017

    Hand sanitizer.. the alcohol gets rid of all sorts of sticky things, from glass, lino, wood, etc....

  • Sophia,M.,McConnery Sophia,M.,McConnery on Jan 13, 2017

    Soak in some kind of oil first for about 20 minutes.Take a putty knife,test an area first,then gently scrape.I have had no issues using this method.

  • User User on Jan 13, 2017

    I have alawys had great luck with a bit of acetone on a small cloth and wipe away


  • Hep6074985 Hep6074985 on Jan 13, 2017

    put some ice on it, or a cold pack.

  • NancyMaria NancyMaria on Jan 13, 2017

    Use a plastic putty knife after treating with Goo B Gone or household oil. Or even peanut butter.


  • Linda Linda on Jan 13, 2017

    I too use Mr. Clean magic eraser. However, you can use Undo. You can get it at Michaels or hobby lobby and then you can use the 40% off coupon

  • Patty Tate Patty Tate on Jan 14, 2017

    Eucalyptus oil gets rid of sticky stuff, try it it worked for me. Good luck

  • Lee fox Lee fox on Jan 14, 2017

    WD 40

  • FRAN FRAN on Jan 14, 2017

    I use orange oil, which by the way is so great on furniture, spray a bit, leave the bottle beside the spot as a marker so no one slips, wait about 10-15 min, use plastic scraper and poly scrub pad, nothing metal, wipe off with window cleaner to get rid of the "slip" and your done


  • Abbigail Hunter Abbigail Hunter on Jan 14, 2017

    I would use anyone of the cleaning methods that have been presented and then I would use a good sealer like the manufacture suggest.

  • Jim Jim on Jan 14, 2017

    No joking, have you tried WD40?

    • See 5 previous
    • Leah Deverett Leah Deverett on Jan 22, 2017

      Thanks for the tip! It works like magic eh?

  • Sherrie Sherrie on Jan 14, 2017

    Straight edge razor

  • Lucy Marie Bernier Lucy Marie Bernier on Jan 14, 2017

    simple green

  • Gelaine Fasse Buhk Gelaine Fasse Buhk on Jan 14, 2017

    I'm just throwing this out there. Either use baby oil or some type of oil. That usually gets rid of sticky. Or try liquid gold. that would maybe also give your floor a shine. But then again it could make it slippery.

  • Val12325397 Val12325397 on Jan 15, 2017

    Murphy Oil Soap often works well for me.


  • Kat964884 Kat964884 on Jan 15, 2017

    Yep no kidding WD-40 then wash the floor or area with warm soapy water and rinse well don't forget to wash the oil or spray off the floor or you'll slip on your butt

  • Jim Jim on Jan 22, 2017

    Ain't but two things in my toolbox. WD-40 and a roll of Duct Tape. Iffen it moves an it ain't supposed to, use the tape and iffen it don't move but is supposed to use the WD-40.


    "That's the Redneck way"

  • FRAN FRAN on Jan 22, 2017

    I'm in Florida, Publix and Walgreens both have, it but so does Walmart who everyone has, it's in the furniture polishes, its a golden liquid ,the label says Orange Glo and it's so fresh smelling. Ggreat on furniture as designed but removes labels, sticky gunk, marker writing in most cases, does some things a Mr Clean Magic Eraser does, makes shoes or boots look fresh and shiny, when you're done everything shines and smells like a fresh orange (lemon oil gives me a headache, orange doesn't) Good luck, at least I know you'll love the product.

  • Patty Tate Patty Tate on Jan 24, 2017

    If its bubble gum or something like that you get some ice-blocks out of freezer and place it on top of what's on the floor and if it is going to work it will harden it up and after about 5 minutes remove the ice and it should peel off, Depends what it is on the floor. But good luck.

  • Deb K Deb K on May 20, 2023

    Hi Leah, hope this helps you. Goo gone is the bees knees when it comes to sticky messes like tar and glue. Hope it helps you out.