You will need a few tools to remove glued-down linoleum or vinyl. These are:

• A pry bar 
• Possibly a rubber mallet 
• A utility knife 
• A scraper 
• A well-functioning heat gun 
• Work gloves 

As a safety precaution, we recommend knee pads as you will kneel during this project, sturdy shoes and long pants, and a protective face mask. 

Suppose you need to remove glued-down linoleum or vinyl from a wood floor. In that case, we don’t recommend using either a commercial product or home solutions such as acetone, rubbing alcohol, or white vinegar. 

You would need to use generous amounts of a solution to remove all the glue residue after you peel off the vinyl or linoleum.

And even though these solutions would effectively remove the glue, you risk damaging the wood underneath. 

During the process of softening and dissolving the glue, liquid solutions can get absorbed into the wood flooring, potentially leaving them with significant damage. 

In this guide, you will discover what tools to use (and how) to effectively remove glued-down linoleum or vinyl without damaging the wood flooring underneath.

This method also works if the vinyl or linoleum has been glued to something other than wood flooring.

You should also check out my guide on the best glues for vinyl for further tips.

Before We Begin, An Important Caution

Before you start working on your linoleum or vinyl flooring in any capacity, test for asbestos, especially if the flooring is old. 

If your flooring contains asbestos, disturbing it can harm your immediate and long-term health and well-being. 

Disturbing asbestos will release asbestos fibers into the air. Without the proper gear, equipment, and face mask, you risk inhaling or ingesting these dust and fiber particles. 

This can lead to serious chronic health complications, such as lung cancer, mesothelioma, asbestosis, and other. 

If your flooring is positive for asbestos, removing it will require professional help. 

If your flooring is clean, continue reading to find out what tools to use and which steps to take to remove glued-down linoleum or vinyl. 

Phase One: Remove The Baseboard Trim 

If a quarter-round molding is covering the space between the baseboards and the floor, you also need to remove this. 

Use a pry bar to remove the quarter-round mold and baseboard trim. 

This phase is necessary as, in most cases, these have been installed over the linoleum or vinyl flooring, so before you can peel the flooring off, you need to remove what stands in the way. 

How to remove the baseboards?

1. Insert a pry bar between the wall and the trim
2. You can use a rubber mallet to help push it in
3. Pry the boards starting from one corner of the wall, slowly making your way to the next corner 

Phase Two: Remove The Middle Part Of The Vinyl Or Linoleum

Usually, vinyl and linoleum flooring have a loose middle as only about a few-inch perimeter is glued to the wooden floor. 

So how do you remove the middle part of linoleum or vinyl flooring? With the help of a utility knife. 

If you have a large workspace, use it in smaller strips, as these will be much easier to pull up than larger surfaces. 

This is what you need to do:

1. Use the utility knife to cut around the flooring about 6-7 inches away from the wall
2. Cut in parallel to the wall 
3. Don’t cut all the way through to avoid damaging the wooden floor beneath 
4. Once you cut around the flooring, pull up the middle part of the vinyl or linoleum floor

Using the rolling up method, you could also work with a large surface. But, the sheets will become increasingly heavier to pull and manage as you make way with rolling more flooring up. 

Phase Three: Remove The Glued Down Vinyl Or Linoleum

This is the phase where things may become tricky if you don’t know what to do and how to do it properly and effectively. 

This is the phase where you will need:

• A scraper 
• A heat gun 

The only way to remove glued-down vinyl or linoleum without using liquid solvents that can be absorbed into the wood flooring beneath is to scrape off the glue using a scraper. 

Work in small sections.

Here is how to do it:

1. Pry the flooring
2. Slide the scraper in underneath
3. Scrape the glue at a 45-degree angle

The scraper should remove the glued-down vinyl and linoleum flooring. 

You will notice that glue residue will be left behind after you do this. This is where you will need the heat gun. 

Applying heat to the glue residue will soften it, and this will help you remove it without damaging the wooden floor. 

This is how to use a heat gun to remove leftover residue:

1. Turn on your heat gun
2. Wait for it to heat up
3. Once it does, hold it close (3-5 inches distance) to the glue (don’t be touching it)
4. As the heat gun is softening the glue residue, use the scraper to remove it (holding it at a 45-degree angle)
5. Work one small section at a time

Holding the scraper at a 45-degree angle will prevent denting, scratching, or damaging the wood flooring in any other way. 

If the glue bond is strong and resistant, you will need more patience. You may be working in a section for quite some time, but your patience will pay off. 

When using the scraper and the heat gun to remove the glue, be careful not to burn your skin. Use protective gloves. But also, don’t keep the heat gun that is working with the scraper above your hand. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a commercial product, acetone, rubbing alcohol, or vinegar to remove glued-down linoleum or vinyl?

Using either of these solutions and products effectively softens and removes the glue. 

These products can get soaked into the wood flooring beneath the vinyl or linoleum. If this happens, your wood flooring may suffer significant damage. But we don’t recommend using them on this specific project. 

If beneath your vinyl or linoleum isn’t a wooden floor and you can safely use solvents, the following are some of the most effective ones:

• Goo Gone
• White vinegar and baking soda 
• Rubbing alcohol

Once you have chosen your solvent, apply it to the glue using a paintbrush or a toothbrush you won’t mind throwing away. 

Let it sit there for 15-30 minutes or more. Give it plenty of time to soak through the glue to soften it. 

You may need to re-apply a few times. 

Once the glue has softened, use a toothbrush or an abrasive sponge to remove the glue. 

Using a clean rag, you can clean the surface with warm water and liquid soap. 

Can I use a razor blade to scrape the glue off the wooden floor?

Even though a razor blade can effectively remove glue, we don’t recommend using any sharp objects. 

Using a razor blade or sharp object can damage your wood flooring. 

I don’t have a heat gun. What else can I use?

If you don’t have a heat gun, don’t worry. Your cause is not lost. 

You can use a hairdryer instead of a heat gun. Use it at the highest temperature and follow the same technique. 

Conclusion 

It may initially seem daunting, especially when working on a large surface. But removing glued-down linoleum or vinyl is not an impossible mission. 

You can do a great job and achieve effective results with the right tools. 

If you have the following tools and items, you can get started on your project:

• A pry bar 
• Possibly a rubber mallet 
• A utility knife 
• A scraper 
• A well-functioning heat gun 
• Work gloves 

But before you start on phase one of removing glued-down vinyl or linoleum flooring, check to see if your flooring has asbestos. It might not, but if your vinyl or linoleum is old, it is better to be safe. 

Asbestos can be very dangerous to your health when disturbed. So if your flooring does have it, make sure to call a professional. 

When removing glued-down linoleum or vinyl, always work in small parts to make it easier on you. 

Keep in mind that this is the type of project that will take time but one that can be done effectively.