After 60 + years, we finally ripped up the lineoleum in the kitchen.

Question

It was so old, when they laid it, they went right up the wall about five inches instead of installing vinyl baseboards. Well, it's all gone now! Maybe not quite. The lineoleum paper backing is still stuck to the floor and I haven't found an acceptable method of removing it. There is actually a hardwood floor underneath, but I need to get this backing up. I tried sanding, scraping, adhesive removers and magic, but there is no easy solution unless someone out there has had to deal with the same problem. I did discover by putting a couple of very thick towels on the floor and pouring boiling water on them to let them soak for 20 or 30 minutes softens it enough to scrape it up, but what a slow, slow process and I really don't like wetting the flooring like that. Anyone have any better ideas?

GrandmasHouseDIY · Answer

Lynn I am so sorry to tell you that when I ran into that same stuff when I ripped up the linoleum on our 100 year old hardwood floors that I never found a real solution :( I ended up just scraping up what I could and then going through ALOT of 40 grit sand paper. Good luck!

Pam · Answer

You might try renting a floor sander.

Emily · Answer

When I was a kid (I am now 83) we moved into a house where my Dad did this but luckily the person who laid that linoleum had thought to put newspapers under it. . .come to think of it the linoleum I remember was not glued but laid because I kept those newspapers. (historical significance) Sounds like a difficult job ahead of you.

Debra · Answer

Perhaps this is your answer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-iKdFViuNM

Cindy Hagemann · Answer

Try sanding it off with a palm sander.

After 60 + years, we finally ripped up the lineoleum in the kitchen.

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After 60 + years, we finally ripped up the lineoleum in the kitchen.

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