Removing old carpet glue from ceramic tile floors?

Question

took up the old carpet in my bathroom to reveal the ceramic tile underneath--however, after years of being glued down, there is a lot of yellowed, caked on glue. I have tried steel wool, stiff brushing, tile & grout cleaner--still can't get all of it up.

Answer 1

Marble, Granite, Natural Stone

What You Will Need:

    * Adhesive Remover (such as TileGuard, available at home improvement stores)

    * Paintbrush or Sponge

    * Plastic putty knife (wider ones will work faster)

    * Plastic Dish Scrubbers

    * Rubber Gloves

    * Old towels or rags

    * Fan (for ventilation)

    * Sealant for your floor type

The Removal Process:

   1. Begin by testing a small area of your flooring with the adhesive remover to be sure it does not damage the flooring in any way. Adhesive removers are acidic, which is not a friend of some natural stones. It may take off the sealant, which can be replaced, but make sure it does not damage the actually stone or you may have a larger problem on your hands.

   2. If the test spot is undamaged, then you are ready to start with the entire room.

   3. Begin by putting on the rubber gloves to protect your hands. You can place a fan in the room or in a nearby window to help with circulation. Sometimes adhesive removers can have strong or unpleasant fumes.

   4. Using a paintbrush or sponge, dampen the glue with the adhesive remover according to manufacturer’s guidelines.

   5. Let the solution set on the glue and soften it. You will need it become sticky before it is removable.

   6. Use the plastic putty knife to gently scrape away the old glue. Be careful not to damage the stone surface. It is not recommended that you use any type of sharp blade due to the increased chance of damage.

   7. When you have scraped off as much glue as possible, apply a small amount of adhesive remover to any remaining residue and wipe away with an old towel, rag, or plastic dish scrubber.

   8. Repeat this as necessary, monitoring the stone closely for any damage.

   9. Once your floor is free of all the glue, you may need to reapply the sealant.

  10. Begin by thoroughly cleaning the floor (for information on cleaning floors, see our articles on cleaning marble and granite)

  11. Apply the sealant following the manufacturer’s instructions on the package.

  12. If this job is too daunting to complete by yourself, you may want to have a professional remove the glue and/or reseal the floor.

Answer 2

Camperch:  Go to homedepot and buy Henry's adhesive remover.  It cost $9.95 quart but is concentrated.  Works great.