Cleaning
By
Mary Marlowe Leverette
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/IMG_40612-5ba0f4fd46e0fb005005bbe3.JPG "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (1)")
Mary Marlowe Leverette
Mary Marlowe Leverette is one of the industry's most highly-regarded housekeeping and fabric care experts, sharing her knowledge on efficient housekeeping, laundry, and textile conservation. She is also a Master Gardener with over 40+ years of experience and 20+ years of writing experience. Mary is also a member of The Spruce Gardening and Plant Care Review Board.
Learn more about The Spruce'sEditorial Process
Updated on 07/23/24
Reviewed by
Melissa Homer
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/MelissaHomer-e7e1e216768a4300b0b635a3c852961a.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (2)")
Reviewed byMelissa Homer
Melissa Homer is a trained cleaning professional, consultant, and educator with a two-decade career spanning commercial and professional residential cleaning.
Learn more about The Spruce'sReview Board
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-hero-5ee21ef7051346e6ac3006a17a3dcd7f.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (3)")
Project Overview
- Working Time:10 mins - 1 hr
- Total Time:10 mins - 1 hr
- Skill Level:Beginner
- Estimated Cost:$5-10
With so many kinds of tape on the market, you're sure to find one that's strong enough to temporarily repair a leak and gentle enough to repair a torn page in a children's book. However, no matter the type of tape, it always leaves behind a sticky residue upon removal. Keep reading to learn how to remove tape residue from any service with cleaning products you likely already have.
How Often to Clean Away Tape Residue
When you find sticky tape residue left on a surface, clean it away immediately. The longer it remains on the surface, the more dust and dirt it will attract and can become more difficult to remove.
What You'll Need
Equipment / Tools
- Sponge
- Dull knife, plastic scraper, old credit card
- Soft-bristled brush
- Microfiber towels
- Sink or plastic bucket
- Handheld hairdryer
- Art gum eraser
Materials
- Distilled white vinegar
- Heavy-duty laundry detergent
- Isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol
- Vegetable oil
- Plastic wrap
- Glass cleaner
- Dishwashing liquid
- Paper towels
- WD-40
- Commercial glue remover (Goo-Gone or De-solve-It)
Instructions
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-12-b6644ef0934b4cf9aaad79e1704e39a7.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (4)")
How to Remove Tape Residue From Washable Fabrics
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-01-5ab67de35d8d4defb906a919e3baeba8.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (5)")
- Heat vinegar. Heat a small amount of undiluted distilled white vinegar in the microwave until it is warm but not boiling.
- Saturate fabric. Dip a sponge in the warm vinegar and squeeze it over the sticky area until the fabric is saturated.
- Scrape away. The adhesive should begin to loosen and roll up so you can lift it away with a dull knife or the edge of a spatula.
- Dry. Check the sticky area before tossing the fabric in a hot dryer. Repeat the steps if necessary. Do not fabrics in the dryer until all of the tape residue is gone.
Tip
De-solv-it and Goo-Gone work even faster than white vinegar. After using either method, treat the area with a dab of heavy-duty laundry detergent, let it sit for about 10 minutes, and then wash as usual.
How to Remove Tape Residue From Dry-Clean-Only Fabrics
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-02-4d912e0d7918424ebefd91141153b1fe.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (6)")
When it comes to removing residue from dry-clean-only fabrics, it is best to leave this to a professional rather than risk damaging your fancy clothes. Taking garments with tape residue to a dry cleaner is the best course of action.
How to Remove Tape Residue From Glass With Oil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-03-94ebf5b7bbaf4cf591930ad2fa1a93cf.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (7)")
- Saturate the sticky residue. Saturate the area with vegetable oil (even butter or peanut butter will work).
- Cover and let sit. Cover the residue with plastic wrap and let it sit for at least 30 minutes.
- Scrape away and clean. Use a dull knife or plastic scraper to remove the sticker and residue. Clean the glass with glass cleaner.
How to Remove Tape Residue From Glass With Isopropyl Alcohol
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-04-daad92513b3342e2b0c0e00b81a00b69.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (8)")
- Saturate the sticky residue. Place a few drops ofisopropyl (rubbing) alcoholon a cotton ball or paper towel to saturate the sticker.
- Let soak and scrape away. After saturating the sticker, wait at least 10 minutes and use a plastic scraper to remove the adhesive.
- Wipe away. Once the residue is gone, use the alcohol and a microfiber cloth to leave a streak-free shine.
How to Remove Tape Residue From Metal With Oil
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-05-bddb4baa74194d53a476153b82a8554e.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (9)")
- Saturate the residue with oil. Apply vegetable oil to the adhesive residue.
- Cover and let soak. Cover the metal item with plastic wrap and let it soak for 30 minutes.
- Scrape away the residue. Use a plastic scraper and an old cloth to wipe away the residue.
- Wash and dry. Wash the area with warm soapy water to remove the oil and buff dry with a soft cloth.
Tip
Do not use abrasive cleaning powder, steel wool, or sandpaper to remove the residue. They will leave scratches on the surface of the metal.
How to Remove Tape Residue From Metal With Heat
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-06-b003ad86f1d54ee29db33a25c1d44b35.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (10)")
- Apply heat. Use a handheld hair dryer set to medium to heat the residue.
- Wipe away. Once the adhesive softens, wipe it away with a clean cloth.
How to Remove Tape Residue From Metal With WD-40
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-07-4cc602fa8eb343eeb6c575eb9189f9ff.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (11)")
- Spray with WD-40. Spray the sticky residue with a bit of WD-40.
- Wipe away. Let the WD-40 work for a few minutes then wipe away the lubricant and the residue with a clean cloth.
How to Remove Tape Residue From Painted Surfaces With Heat
Before using any solvent or cleaning product, test it in an inconspicuous space to make sure it does not damage or change the color of the paint.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-08-656badfb67fd4c68997935ad6b2fe803.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (12)")
- Set a handheld hairdryer to medium heat. Apply the hot air to the tape residue for about 15 seconds, holding the hairdryer a few inches away from the residue.
- Scrape off residue. Use a thin plastic scraper or the edge of the credit card to lift the adhesive from the painted surface.
How to Remove Tape Residue With Soap and Water
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-09-41cf4585864443eda3f1eb0e1db1d284.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (13)")
- Make a solution. Heat some water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. (You can also heat a small amount of distilled white vinegar and follow the same steps.)
- Soak the area. Dip a soft cloth in the mixture and wring until just damp. Place the warm cloth over the sticky area for about 30 seconds.
- Gently rub away the adhesive. Using a gentle buffing motion, remove the adhesive from the surface.
- Rinse and dry. Rinse the area with a clean wet cloth and dry with a soft towel.
How to Remove Tape Residue With an Eraser
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-10-909794f14fe24871961484f31acb33cb.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (14)")
- Rub the area. Use an art gum eraser by applying gentle pressure to the sticky area. The eraser will loosen the adhesive.
- Wipe away. Use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe away the adhesive.
How to Remove Tape Residue With a Solvent
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/how-to-remove-tape-residue-5323507-11-cda81d538257451c8ad9ace8906d81dc.jpg "How to Easily Remove Tape Residue From Any Surface (15)")
- Follow the directions carefully. Goo Gone and Un-du are two brands that work well to remove sticky residue.
Tips for Removing Tape Residue From Surfaces
- Read product labels carefully.
- Work slowly. Do not scrub or scrape harshly which can damage surfaces.
- Do not oversaturate painted surfaces to prevent drywall or wood from being damaged.
- Work in small sections.
- Do not allow any moisture to enter electrical outlets or appliance ports.
