Removing Linseed Oil that was Over Applied to Floor

[gdb]

Hi
I am self renovating a house over the summer, the upper floor on which has a wooden floor that is very sticky and tacky. I am told linseed oil was applied several years and there appears to be a dark sticky substance on the wood.

How would you recommend I remove it? The area is quite large (60 m2).

Should I rent a floor sander (would the linseed oil gum it up)? Is there a solvent based solution?

Thanks in advance - any advice would be appreciated.

GDB