I began removing the carpet that is over our hardwood floors in my living room...the carpet was installed at least 15 years ago, by the previous owners of the house. Upon removal, the padding underneath was crumbling off so far on most of the area that I removed, it was stuck to the wood floor. I started scraping it off & below there is white "stains" that when I scrape at the white stuff it does come off a little. But now, I only cleaned about 1/4 of the room & I feel like there is dust all over & we are inhaling it...

Is there an easy way to remove the padding that is stuck? Is it normal to have this white residue on the floor? How do I remove the white residue & should I bother trying before we have someone sand down the floor or will it come out when the floor is sanded down?

I still remember, carpet cleaning Northamptonshire [company that cleaned and installed my carpet] used a kind of a chemical. They used it in between layers of carpet and wood, that chemical reacted as a catalyst and detached them like cutting a piece of cake. Let me confirmed that chemical name, again from them.

It could be that powered deodorizer people sprinkle on the carpets. It's so fine it will go through the cushion. But I would ask who ever is going to sand your floor before going further. It may just sand right off very easily unless it's gummy.

Any ideas on removing old padding that is stuck to the hardwood flooring? Mineral spirits are only working so-so.