How to Remove Carpet Tape From Floor [Hardwood, Laminate, Tile…]

Carpets contribute significantly to the aesthetics of a living room. It also provides a warmer environment and assists in healthier indoor air quality. And like many of us do, we often rely on rug tape to reduce friction and hold the carpet in place. Now we will discuss the question about how to remove carpet tape from floor.

However, when looking to change the style of a room or replace an old rug, you have no other option other than removing the old tape. The problem with taking off the double-sided tape is how challenging it can sometimes be, especially when it has been on the floor for ages.

Of course, tough does not imply impossible. Besides, there are several techniques for removing carpet tape from the floor. However, the ones listed below are the ones we believe will provide the best results with the least amount of work.

How to Remove Carpet Tape From Floor

How to Remove Carpet Tape From Wood Floor

In order to remove the carpet tape from a wood floor, a plastic putty knife and cooking oil will be required. If you don’t have cooking oil on hand, you can make a solution by combining water with a few drops of dishwashing liquid. This mixture will help in loosening the carpet’s tape bonds.

First, soak a towel in the solution and saturate the tape as well as the surrounding area. Then, using a plastic putty knife, carefully pierce the tape from the side or at an angle, if possible.

When the tape starts to come off, we recommend reapplying the solution beneath the tape you removed. Also, after you’ve got a large portion of the tape, try peeling it off while probing it with the knife. This approach should allow you to easily remove the tape without ripping it off.

The same procedure can be performed using a plastic scraper or a credit card. We insist on using a plastic putty knife or a similar object just to avoid damaging your floor finish. 

When using cooking oil, make sure to clean the area with warm water. Remember that applying oil to the floor results in a slippery surface, which can be very dangerous.

Remark: Mineral Spirit is also useful for removing carpet tape from a hardwood floor. The only thing to keep in mind is to avoid putting the solution directly on the tape. Instead, apply it to a cloth and proceed as you would with the above-mentioned dishwashing solution tip.

How to Remove Carpet Tape From Laminate Floor

Removing carpet tape from a laminate floor is relatively easy. It doesn’t require too much work or expensive products.

For this type of floor, you’ll need a hairdryer and a plastic putty knife. Set your hairdryer at low heat and aim it at the tape. Then, using the knife, start removing the carpet tape off the floor.

Finally, wash the affected spot thoroughly to eliminate any tape residue. This should be more than enough to restore the luster of your laminate floor.

In case a hairdryer isn’t available, you can use the approach for removing carpet tape from a wood floor on a laminate floor.

How to Remove Carpet Tape From Vinyl Floor

Unlike other types of floors, removing carpet tape from vinyl flooring is a little bit challenging. The downside of this floor is that you often end up with tape residue after removing the strips. So, here’s what you should do to remove both strips and tape residues.

First, remove the carpet tape from the vinyl floor using a plastic putty knife. Work slowly and always start at the edge of the strips.

Once the strip has been removed, combine one part of water and two parts vinegar in a bucket. Then, dampen the tape residue with the solution using a sponge and let the solution act for about an hour.

Leaving the mixture for one hour should be more than enough to loosen the tape residue and break the adhesive.

Lastly, wash the treated spot with soapy water and blot-dry using a dry cloth.

How to Remove Carpet Tape From Tile Floor

What about those who have tile flooring? Are they left with carpet tape forever? Don’t worry. We got you covered. Removing carpet tape from tile flooring is possible, yet, it does require a different approach compared to other floors mentioned above.

For this one, you’ll need hot water, dishwashing liquid, and a putty knife. Using hot water combined with dishwashing liquid will help soften the carpet tape, making it easier to remove.

First, pour boiling water onto the tape strip first, then add a few drops of dishwashing liquid and leave it for around 10 minutes. Afterward, using a putty knife, scrape the tape off your lovely tile floor.

After removing the carpet tape, rinse the affected area with water to remove any soap residue.

Conclusion

We hope the following advice has assisted you in removing carpet tape from the floor. Don’t forget to leave us a comment below, letting us know your experience with carpet tape as well as the most successful technique for you. Lastly, regardless of how stubborn the adhesive may look, you should never use bleach for the sake of removing it. This chemical is hazardous to hardwood floors since it can tear away the floor’s finish.

While on the adhesive subject, we’ve recently shared some fantastic tips on how to get hair glue out of the carpet. Most of the tips mentioned in that article are low cost and offer mind-blowing results.