A sticker stuck to a wood surface rarely peels off easily and whether it was placed there by the manufacturer, an adorable toddler, or other means, getting the sticker off is a must. The strong adhesive on the stickers can be a challenge to remove. Some adhesives will tear some of the finish off the wood, where others will leave some of the paper or at least a dull, sticky, discolored residue behind. Most know that wood floors are not moisture friendly and using liquids aids is a delicate manner. Relying on some chemical adhesive removers can soften the finish and ruin the wood and water can raise the grain of the wood if done incorrectly. Where heat can be an optimal solution, it also has to be done carefully, because too much heat will blister the finish though it can soften the adhesive and causes no damage when used properly. With that in mind, we at Mike’s Custom Flooring would like to share how to remove a sticker from your wood floors without causing damage.

What You Need to Remove Sticky Residue from Hardwood Floors

– Blow Dryer
– Rag
– Rubbing Alcohol
– Microfiber Cloth

Steps to Remove Stickers from Wood Flooring

1) With the blow dryer on low heat setting, aim it at the sticker approximately 2 to 3 inches above it. To loosen the adhesive, heat up the sticker for 10 to 15 seconds, especially heating up the corners for larger stickers.
2) Carefully peel the sticker from off of the wood’s surface. For challenging or large stickers, pull the heated corners first, and then add more heat with the blow dryer to the mid section before you continue to pull. Until the entire sticker is removed, continue to heat and peel it up as you go.
3) Once the sticker has been removed, you will need to remove the remaining residue. Apply a controlled amount of rubbing alcohol onto your rag and with a circular motion, clean off the adhesive residue.
4) Once the residue is completely cleaned off the surface, use your dry microfiber cloth to dry and buff the area. You can run your fingers over the surface to check for any signs of sticky residues to make sure it is gone. If it feels tacky, continue to repeat the cleaning with rubbing alcohol treated rag until it is gone. Do not pour rubbing alcohol directly to the floor or it could seep through the seams and cause moisture damage.

Additional Tips

1) To prevent peeling off the finish, pull the sticker slowly and reheat it as necessary. Stop pulling and reheat it to soften the adhesive and minimize wood damage whenever the sticker begins to tear.
2) In the event the sticker should pull off some of the finish, keep in mind that it is only surface damage and repairable. To repair the minor damage, lightly sand the area and apply a fresh coat of the existing finish should be adequate.

Hardwood Floor Installation & More in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Berryville & Clarke County | Herndon & Fairfax County VA

For your installation, maintenance and repair needs, call the specialists of Mike’s Custom Flooring and let our professionals ensure your wood floors are well taken care of serviced correctly.