Clean the Subfloor

What happens in this clip

Once all carpet, pad, residue, and tack strips are removed, the subfloor will likely be covered in dust, small debris, and loose carpet fibers. Use a shop vacuum (a wet/dry vac is ideal) to thoroughly clean the entire subfloor surface. Pay close attention to corners, edges, and any cracks where debris might accumulate. After vacuuming, a final sweep with a broom and dustpan can pick up any remaining fine dust. This step ensures the subfloor is clean and ready for the installation of new flooring.

Goal: Thoroughly clean the subfloor

What's used

Tools

• Broom
• Dust Mask
• Dustpan
• Safety Glasses
• Shop Vacuum
• Heavy-duty industrial vacuum
• debris
• and loose carpet fibers from the subfloor.

About the full video

This project provides a detailed guide on how to effectively remove old carpet and its underlying pad, scrape off stubborn adhesive and backing residue from the subfloor, safely remove tack strips, and thoroughly clean the area, preparing it for new flooring installation.

Step 5 of 6: Clean the Subfloor

Sweep the subfloor to remove all dust, debris, and any remaining carpet fibers. Follow up with a shop vacuum to ensure all fine particles are removed. If there are any adhesive residues, use a floor scraper or appropriate adhesive remover to clean the surface.

Open this step in the guide

Every video in How to Remove Carpet from a Stair Landing

1. Step 1: Prepare the Stair Landing Area

   • 0:00–0:58 Assess Existing Carpet and Secure Workspace
   • 0:14–0:23 Initial Cleanup and Debris Removal
   • 0:16–0:24 Clean and Prepare Staircase Substrate

2. Step 2: Score the Carpet Edges

   • 0:33–0:43 Cut Carpet into Strips
   • 2:37–4:28 Cut and Roll Carpet Strips
   • 0:21–0:50 Remove the Carpet

3. Step 3: Remove Carpet and Padding

   • 0:00–0:09 Remove Carpet and Padding
   • 0:00–0:09 Remove Carpet and Pad
   • 0:01–0:40 Remove Carpet and Padding

4. Step 4: Remove Staples and Tack Strips

   • 0:55–1:00 Remove Tack Strips
   • 1:15–2:15 Remove Staples and Tack Strips
   • 3:04–4:13 Remove Tack Strips and Staples

5. Step 5: Clean the Subfloor

   • 0:12–0:14 Clean the Subfloor (this video)
   • 0:13–0:14 Clean the Subfloor
   • 0:18–0:23 Clean the Subfloor

6. Step 6: Dispose of Old Carpet and Padding

   • 0:31–0:38 Remove Carpet Padding
   • 3:40–4:43 Dispose of Old Carpet and Padding
   • 0:54–1:02 Remove Carpet Pad