How to Sand Wooden Floors After Removing Carpet

Removing old carpet can reveal hardwood floors that are scratched, uneven, or covered in adhesive. Sanding is the essential step to restore these floors before staining or sealing. Here’s a full guide to sanding wooden floors after carpet removal.

Why Sand Floors After Carpet?

Carpets leave behind tack strip holes, glue, and wear marks. Sanding smooths the surface, removes adhesive residue, and preps the wood for refinishing. Without sanding, finishes won’t adhere evenly, and imperfections will remain visible.

Tools You’ll Need

• Drum sander for large floor areas
• Edge sander for corners and borders
• 9x11 in sandpaper sheets for hand sanding edges
• Vacuum and tack cloth
• Protective gear: respirator, goggles, ear protection

Best Grit Sequence for Carpeted Floors

• 36–40 grit: Removes glue, paint, and rough wear.
• 60–80 grit: Smooths boards and blends patched areas.
• 100–120 grit: Final pass for stain- or seal-ready finish.

Step-by-Step: Sanding Floors After Carpet Removal

1. Prep the floor. Remove tack strips, nails, and adhesive residue.
2. Start with coarse grit. Use 40 grit (25-pack) to strip glue and rough patches.
3. Smooth with medium grit. Apply 80 grit (50-pack) for blending and leveling.
4. Finish with fine grit. Use 120 grit (100-pack) for a silky, finish-ready surface.
5. Edge sanding. Use sandpaper sheets on a block to reach corners and tight spots.
6. Clean thoroughly. Vacuum and wipe with tack cloth before staining or sealing.

Special Cases

For floors with heavy adhesive, use a scraper before sanding. For engineered hardwood, avoid coarse grits—start at 80 grit to protect thin veneers.

Pro Tips

• Sand with the grain whenever possible for the smoothest results.
• Replace sandpaper often—adhesive residue clogs sheets quickly.
• Do multiple light passes instead of forcing coarse grit aggressively.

Aftercare

• Apply stain or sealant immediately after sanding to protect wood.
• Use rugs or pads under furniture to prevent scratches.
• Recoat floors with polyurethane every few years for durability.

FAQs

• Do I need to remove all carpet glue before sanding? Yes—otherwise, glue can gum up sandpaper and leave uneven spots.
• Can I hand sand the whole floor? Not practical—use power sanders for large areas.
• What grit before staining? 100–120 grit is ideal for smooth, even stain absorption.

Watch & Learn

Restore hardwood floors with eQualle’s 9x11 in sandpaper sheets, available in coarse to fine grits. Shop floor sanding sheets here.