Double-sided tape (double tape) is a useful and important product to have. However, you may find it difficult to remove it. The best way to remove this tape will depend on the type of surface it is attached to, and may require some trial and error. Read on for more information on some of the methods you can use to peel off double-sided tape.
Step
Method 1 of 4: Removing Double-Sided Tape on Walls and Doors
Step 1. Use a hairdryer to remove stubborn double-sided tape
Turn on the hairdryer and set it to medium or high heat. Position the hairdryer a few inches from the tape, then blow hot air over it, focusing on the corners and edges of the tape. This makes the adhesive soften. A few minutes later, turn off the hairdryer and try pinching one corner of the tape with your fingernail. Most tape will come off, but you may need to reheat it with a hairdryer.
- If your nails are very short or you don't want to damage them, you can remove the tape using a butter knife or pallet knife.
- If there is still a thin layer of masking tape remaining, scrub the surface with a scouring pad dipped in warm soapy water. Do not use oil or oil-based cleaners.
Step 2. Wash off the residue with water, vinegar and soap
Mix 300 ml of water with 60 ml of vinegar and a little liquid soap. Dip a sponge into the mixture, and rub it against the door or wall in the area where the tape was used, using small circular motions. This mixture is gentle and does not damage most paints. However, there may be some faded paint.
Step 3. Use a magic eraser (a foam block as rough as sandpaper) to remove any remaining tape
Wet the magic eraser with water, then rub it on the area where the tape is clean. Magic erasers are mildly abrasive, so they are not suitable for glass or slippery surfaces, but are safe for use on walls or doors. However, the paint on the walls or doors may fade a little.
Magic erasers can be purchased at hardware stores or supermarkets
Method 2 of 4: Removing Double-Sided Tape on Glass
Step 1. Prepare the necessary equipment
If you have double-sided tape stuck to the glass window, you should not use heat as this could shatter the glass. Do not also use objects that are too abrasive because they can scratch the glass. You must use oil to dissolve the tape. Prepare the items below:
- Butter knife (nails can also be used)
- Window cleaning products
- Glass sponge and scrub
- Cooking oil or cleaning oil (Goo Gone, mineral oil, etc.)
- Rubbing alcohol
Step 2. Try to peel off as much tape as possible
Do this by prying up the corners of the tape with your fingernail. You can also use a butter knife or pallet knife, but be careful not to scratch the glass.
Step 3. Spray window cleaner on the tape
If you don't have window cleaner, make your own cleaning solution by mixing 300 ml of water, 60 ml of vinegar and a little liquid soap.
Step 4. Use a sponge to rub the dampened area in small circular motions
This will remove any remaining residue. If the sponge has 2 sides (the soft and the rough side), try using the rough side.
Step 5. Use a glass-safe scouring oil and sponge
If the tape won't come off after you use a glass cleaner or vinegar, moisten the tape with cooking oil (can be olive oil) or cleaning oil (such as Goof Off or Goo Gone). Spray the oil on the area of the tape, then rub the sponge until the remaining tape is gone.
Step 6. Clean the glass with rubbing alcohol
Dip a soft cloth in rubbing alcohol and rub the area until the tape and excess oil are gone.
If there is any remaining tape, rub again using a glass-safe, oil-soaked cleaning sponge, then clean again with rubbing alcohol. The rubbing oil will clean the oil residue and evaporate so it doesn't leave marks
Method 3 of 4: Removing Double-Sided Tape on Other Surfaces
Step 1. Use a hairdryer to remove the tape from the paper
Plug the hairdryer into a power source and turn it on. Set the dryer to medium or high heat, then point the nozzle at the tape and blow hot air. A few minutes later, use your fingernail to peel the tape off the surface. This method is very effective on paper.
Be careful when you handle photos as heat can damage them
Step 2. Try using a commercial cleaning product
Some products (such as Goo Gone or Goof Off) can be used to effectively remove double-sided tape. However, this product can also damage plastic. Keep this in mind if you want to use the product on plastic. Put this cleaning product on the tape and let it soak for a few minutes before you peel off the tape. If the tape won't peel off, try scrubbing it with an abrasive sponge to remove it. The chemicals in the cleaning solution will dissolve the adhesive on the tape.
It is very effective on glass surfaces. Do not use this method on paper, cardboard, or fabric as it can stain
Step 3. Try using food grade oil
It works similarly to commercial cleaning products (such as Goo Gone or Goof Off), but without the harmful chemicals that make it safe to use on sensitive surfaces such as plastic. Put some oil on the area of the tape and let it sit for a few minutes before scrubbing it with a scouring pad.
Do not use oil to work with masking tape on paper, cardboard, or fabric as it can stain
Step 4. Try using acetone or nail polish remover for an unpainted surface
The acetone will dissolve the adhesive on the tape making it easy to peel off. Like alcohol, this solution will evaporate and leave no trace. Unfortunately, acetone can dissolve paint and varnish, making it unsuitable for use on plastic or other painted surfaces. Put some acetone or nail polish remover on the tape and let it sit for a few minutes before you peel it off. This method is very suitable for use on fabrics because it does not leave stains.
- This can be used on cardboard and paper, but it can cause the paper to curl and wrinkle (this happens with other liquids too).
- If using a nail polish remover, try using a basic product that doesn't have added vitamins and boosters. Also, don't use colored nail polish remover because it can stain the surface of the object.
Step 5. Use rubbing alcohol to handle the plastic
It works similarly to acetone, but is less harsh. This means that alcohol is less likely to peel off paint or varnish. However, you will still have residual residue that will need to be removed with a scrubbing pad. This method is also suitable for fabric surfaces.
Step 6. Try using masking tape to remove the double-sided tape
Stick the paper tape firmly over the double-sided tape, and hold one corner of the tape. Gently pull the paper tape toward your body. Doing so will also remove the double-sided tape.
You can also use duct tape or Scotch Tape (a brand of masking tape)
Method 4 of 4: Removing Adhesive Residue
Step 1. Use oil to remove residue on plastic or glass surfaces
You can use cooking oil (such as olive oil and mineral oil), or a cleansing oil (such as Goo Gone and Goof Off). Wet a cotton swab with a little oil, then rub it on the surface of the object until the residue is gone. Soak another cotton swab in rubbing alcohol, then rub it over the surface to remove any excess oil.
- If you are working on a large area with a horizontal surface, you can apply a small amount of oil to the residue area and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Do not use oil on unfinished wood or walls. Oil can seep to the surface and make it tarnish.
Step 2. Try using acetone on glass
Do not use acetone on painted, finished or plastic surfaces. This can peel off paint and melt some types of plastic. If there is little residue, dip a cotton swab in the acetone and rub it over the residue until it's clean. In severe residues, put acetone in a spray bottle, then spray on the residue area. Leave the acetone for a few minutes, then scrub the surface of the object until the residue is gone.
- You can combine it with the oil method.
- Acetone is safe to use on most fabrics, but it's a good idea to test it on hidden areas first. Some types of fabric dye can fade if exposed to acetone.
Step 3. Use rubbing alcohol to remove any residue on the surface of any object
This product is safe for use on walls, plastics, wood that has been or has not been finished, fabrics, and glass. Alcohol doesn't peel off paint and varnish, but it can cause them to fade. The most effective is alcohol with a high percentage (eg 90%). However, on painted surfaces, we recommend using a low percentage of alcohol (eg 70%).
- If the surface is smooth, dip a cotton swab in the alcohol, then rub it over the adhesive area until the residue is gone.
- On rough surfaces, use a cloth or towel so that the lint does not remain on the surface of the object.
- If the residue is very severe, put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle, then spray the alcohol over the area until it's soaking wet. Let the alcohol sit there for a few minutes before scrubbing it with a towel or cloth.
Step 4. Use a mixture made of water, vinegar, and dish soap
Mix 1 part vinegar with 8 parts water, then add 1 or 2 drops of dish soap and mix until well combined. Wet the sticky residue with this mixture and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a tissue or towel to wipe off the residue. This mixture is safe to use on most items, but it can fade color or stain certain wall surfaces.
Step 5. Try rubbing the area with your finger or a magic eraser
Some light residue can be removed easily. The area may appear a little dull. If this happens, clean the area with rubbing alcohol.
Tips
- Instead of a hairdryer, you can use the sun to dry the surface of the object for about 2 hours.
- Be aware that you may have to fix the paint on the object once the tape has been removed. While most of the methods described in this article are safe to apply to doors and walls, there is a chance that the paint will fade slightly.
