Double-sided tape is a very useful product to have around the house, but being able to remove it completely can be problematic. The best method depends on the type of surface it is attached to, and sometimes you have to proceed by trial and error. Here are some good tips that will allow you to remove this type of tape.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Remove Double Sided Tape from Doors and Walls
Step 1. Remove it with the hair dryer if it is stubborn
Plug the hair dryer into the nearest power outlet and turn it on at medium or high temperature. Keep it a few inches from the tape so you can use the hot air jet to weaken the edges and corners especially. Gradually the glue will soften. After a few minutes, put the hairdryer aside and try to lift one of the corners with a fingernail. You should be able to peel off most of the tape, but chances are you'll need to blow dry again.
- If you have very short nails or don't want to ruin your manicure, help yourself with a butter knife or scraper;
- If there is a thin layer of glue left, you can use a scouring pad dipped in warm soapy water to scrub the surface. Avoid using oil-based cleaners.
Step 2. Wash away the residue with water, vinegar and detergent
Mix 280ml of water with 60ml of vinegar and a few drops of liquid soap. Dip a sponge in this solution, then scrub the affected area on the wall or door with small circular motions. The mixture you have obtained is delicate, so it shouldn't remove the paint, but it may fade it slightly.
Step 3. Consider using a magic eraser to remove any residue
Moisten it with water and wipe it over the affected area until the residue is gone. Magic eraser is slightly abrasive, so it is not suitable for glass and shiny surfaces. It does not damage walls and doors, but it may fade them slightly.
You can find it in the detergent aisle at the supermarket or hardware stores
Method 2 of 4: Remove the Double Sided Tape from the Glass
Step 1. Get the supplies
If the double-sided tape is attached to the window, you cannot use heat, otherwise the glass risks breaking. You shouldn't use products that are too abrasive either, as they can scratch it. In this case it is advisable to use oil to remove it. Here is a list of what you need:
- Butter knife (you can also use your nails);
- Glass cleaner;
- Sponge or abrasive material for glass;
- Cooking or household oil (mineral or a product such as Goo Gone);
- Denatured alcohol.
Step 2. Try to remove it as much as possible
Try to lift a corner with your fingernails. You can also use a butter knife or scraper, but be careful not to scratch the glass.
Step 3. Spray the glass cleaner on the tape
Alternatively, you can make a solution by mixing 280ml of water, 60ml of vinegar and a few drops of liquid soap.
Step 4. Rub a sponge on the area in small circular motions
This way, you will remove some of the stubborn residue. If the sponge has two sides, one soft and one abrasive, try using the second one.
Step 5. Consider using oil and a glass abrasive sponge
If your glass cleaner or vinegar solution hasn't been effective, you may want to use cooking oil (such as olive oil) or a household cleaning oil (such as Goo Gone). Spray it on the affected area and rub it with the sponge until the residue has disappeared.
Step 6. Finish with denatured alcohol
Soak a soft cloth in denatured alcohol and rub it until all traces of oil and double-sided tape are removed.
If there is some glue left, rub the abrasive glass sponge soaked in oil again, then clean again with denatured alcohol, which will remove the oil residue and evaporate without leaving any traces
Method 3 of 4: Remove Double Sided Tape from other Surfaces
Step 1. Use the hair dryer to remove the tape from the paper
Connect the hair dryer to the power outlet, turn it on at a medium or high temperature and direct it on the sticker. After a few minutes, try peeling the tape off the surface using your fingernails. This method is especially effective on paper.
Be careful if it is a photograph, as the heat could damage it
Step 2. Try some cleanser
Many products, such as Goo Gone, effectively remove double-sided tape, but it can damage plastic surfaces. Keep this in mind if you intend to use them on this material. Just pour a small amount of cleaner onto the tape and let it sit for a few minutes. After that you can peel off the sticker. If it's not stubborn, try scrubbing a scouring pad until it comes off. The chemicals contained in the product will dissolve the glue.
This method is most effective on glass. Avoid using it on paper, cardboard and textiles as they may get stained
Step 3. Consider using a food grade oil
Its action is similar to that of other commercial products, such as Goo Gone, but it does not contain harmful chemicals, so it is safer on sensitive surfaces such as plastics. Just pour it on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub with an abrasive sponge.
Do not use it on paper, cardboard and fabric surfaces, as they may get stained
Step 4. Try acetone or nail polish remover on unpainted surfaces
They weaken the tape glue, making it easier to remove. Like alcohol, they evaporate without a trace. Unfortunately, they also break up paints and colored finishes, so they are not suitable for plastic or painted surfaces. Just pour a little of the product onto the adhesive and let it act for a few minutes before peeling it off. It is an effective method on fabrics, as there is no risk of it staining them.
- It is indicated on paper and cardboard, but be careful as it may warp and crease the paper (as with any other liquid).
- If you are using nail polish remover, try to choose one without additives, including vitamins and nail strengtheners. Also, avoid colored ones as they may stain the surface.
Step 5. Use denatured alcohol on plastic
It works like acetone, but it's not very aggressive. In other words, it is unlikely to damage paints or finishes, but it may leave glue residue. In this case, you will need to remove them by rubbing an abrasive sponge. However, it is effective on fabric surfaces.
Step 6. Try using paper tape
Cut a piece of it and stick it on top of the ribbon. Make sure you have it adhered well. Slowly pull it towards you. That way, it should lift the double-sided tape as well.
You can also use electrical tape or scotch tape
Method 4 of 4: Remove Glue Residue
Step 1. Use oil to remove debris from plastic and glass
You can choose a cooking oil, such as olive oil, mineral oil, or a cleansing oil, such as Goo Gone. Dampen a cotton ball and rub it on the surface until the traces of glue have disappeared. Wet another cotton ball with denatured alcohol and wipe the area again to remove any oily residue.
- If you are working on a fairly large, horizontally positioned surface, pour some on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Do not use it on wooden surfaces or unfinished walls, otherwise it will penetrate inside and stain them.
Step 2. Try using acetone on the glass
Do not apply it to painted, finished or plastic areas. It can damage the color and liquefy some types of plastics. For the lightest traces of glue, wet a cotton ball with a little acetone and rub it until it is completely gone. If they are more stubborn, fill a spray bottle with acetone and spray it on the affected area. Let it sit for a few minutes before removing all residues.
- You can combine this method with that of oil;
- Generally, acetone is safe on most fabrics, but test a hidden area first to see if it bleeds.
Step 3. Use denatured alcohol to remove debris from any surface
It is safe on walls, plastic, wood (painted and unpainted), fabrics and glass. It shouldn't ruin the paint and finishes, but it may fade them. If it is 90% denatured, it is more effective, but for dyed surfaces it is better to use a lower percentage, at 70%.
- For smooth surfaces, soak a cotton ball in denatured alcohol and pass it on the affected area until the traces are gone;
- For rougher surfaces, use a towel or cloth instead. It will prevent the fluff from getting trapped;
- For stubborn residue, fill a spray bottle with denatured alcohol and spray it on the area. Let it sit for a few minutes, then wipe it off with a cloth or towel.
Step 4. Try using a mixture of vinegar, water and dish soap
Combine one part of vinegar with eight parts of water. Add a drop or two of detergent and mix. Soak the traces of glue with the mixture you have obtained and let it act for a few minutes. Remove the residue with a paper or cloth towel. It shouldn't damage most surfaces, but it may fade or stain the walls.
Step 5. Try using your fingers or an eraser
If the traces of glue are light, you can rub them. If the area looks a bit dull after this, clean it with denatured alcohol.
Advice
- Instead of using a hair dryer, expose the surface to the sun for a couple of hours or so.
- Keep in mind that you will likely need to touch up the paint. While most of the methods reported are safe on walls and doors, there is a risk that they will fade slightly.
