How to Remove Carpet Staples from Wood Floors | The Easy Way!

Learn the simplest method to remove carpet staples from wood floors, with the right tools and a video tutorial. Plus, this method won’t damage the hardwood!

There is no happier reno surprise than pulling up a corner of wall-to-wall carpeting and finding hardwood. Am I right?! Original hardwood hidden under ugly, old carpet can save big bucks on flooring. However, for the DIYer, it won’t save you tons of time. Most likely, you’ll be spending hours on hands and knees, plucking out tiny carpet staples.

That was the case in a 1950s ranch home we renovated. Nearly 1100 Sq Ft of hardwood had been covered by carpet for decades — and full of staples. It appeared that carpet may have been laid several times because some of the staples were older/rustier/more fragile than the rest.

How do I remove carpet staples from hardwood floors?

There are a couple of ways to remove carpet staples from hardwood floors: the traditional method and the easy way. How do I know? We’ve removed the carpet in 3 homes (soon to be 4…) and through trial and error, we’ve learned what works.

The Traditional Method

The traditional method utilizes a combination of basic tools:

• flathead screwdriver
• pliers
• 6-in-1 painter’s tool

How does it work? 

1. Slide the flathead screwdriver or the 6-in-1 painter’s tool under each carpet staple in order to lift it up from the wood floor.
2. Once the staple is lifted away from the floor, use the pliers to pull the staple fully out of the wood.

Sounds simple enough, right? So, what are the pros and cons of the traditional method?

Pros

1. The traditional method does work. It’s an effective way to tackle this daunting DIY job.
2. Since the required tools are basic, you most likely already have them in your toolbox.

Cons

1. The traditional method is slow and tedious work. Though some carpet staples will pop up easily, many require twisting and pulling with the pliers.
2. This method is tough on your hands (expect sore wrists and blisters on your fingers).
3. Lastly, the traditional method can damage hardwood. How? Wedging the flathead or painter’s tool under a staple and angling it up can scrape the wood finish.

We used the traditional method in our first home. It had plywood (not hardwood) under the carpet. Therefore, we weren’t worried about damaging the finish. Still, it was tedious.

In the second home that we renovated, we were faced with the task of removing so. many. staples. Plus, that hardwood finish was too pretty to damage.

The slow work of using a flathead screwdriver to lift each staple motivated us to purchase this tool from Amazon… aka: the easy way to remove carpet staples from hardwood.

Tools to Remove Carpet Staples from Hardwood

The Easy Way

There was a product review that described using an office-style staple remover for hardwood floors and carpet staples. For the affordable price tag, we felt like it was worth a try. So, here’s what you need to remove carpet staples the easy way:

• heavy-duty office staple remover
• pliers

How does it work? 

1. Slide the tip of the heavy-duty staple remover under the carpet staple.
2. Press down the handle to pop the staple out of the wood.
3. Sometimes, one end of the staple may still be stuck in the wood. In that case, use the pliers to fully remove the staple from the floor.

A video tutorial seems like the best way to show this tool in action. So,here is my right hand’s small-screen debut 😉

If you can’t see the video, watch the quick tutorial on how to remove carpet staples from hardwood on Youtube.

Pros

• The easy way is quicker and simpler. Unlike the traditional method, most carpet staples will pop up with a single press of the staple remover handle. 
• This method is easier on your hands. Though your palms will still get sore, there is less twisting and pulling required.

Cons

• You probably don’t have a heavy-duty office staple remover in your toolbox {but, who knows, maybe in your office?} so a trip to the store may be in order.

Now don’t get me wrong, this solution isn’t a miracle-worker. I still spent hours on my knees hunched over a hardwood floor — but what a difference?! Seriously.

So much better than using a flathead screwdriver.

Tips and Tricks

• Protect your biggest asset — you! Knee pads and quality work gloves will make the taxing work of prying carpet staples easier on the body.
• Work in marked sections. It’s easy to lose track of what is complete when there are a lot of carpet staples in the wood.

FAQs: Removing Carpet Staples from Hardwood

• What is the best tool for removing carpet staples? The best tool for removing carpet staples is a heavy-duty office staple remover. However, a set of pliers, flathead screwdriver, and a 6-in-1 painter’s tool are helpful to have on hand, too.
• How do I avoid damaging the finish on the hardwood? The very flat tip of the heavy-duty office staple remover will slide under carpet staples easily. Plus, the simple motion of pressing the staple remover handle won’t require you to put any pressure on the hardwood.

If you are planning to remove any carpet from hardwood floors, try out this staple removing tool.

P.S. Still not convinced that you should tackle the big project of removing carpet? Here is a before and after of why it is so worth your time to remove staples and uncover hardwood.

Plus, after removing the carpet in several homes, it was time to build a master supply list. Check out our 10 Favorite Carpet Removal Tools, and start building your carpet-removal kit.

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