How to Remove Double-Sided Tape

Use a Hair Dryer to Loosen Stubborn Tape. Plug in the hair dryer and set it to a medium or high heat setting. Hold it a few centimeters away from the tape and direct the hot air towards the adhesive, focusing on the edges and corners. The heat will soften the glue. After a few minutes, remove the dryer and try peeling back a corner with your fingernail. The tape should come off, but you may need to use the hair dryer again.

• If your nails are too short or you don’t want to damage your manicure, you can use a butter knife to lift the tape.
• If there’s any leftover adhesive on the surface, you can clean it off with a sponge dipped in warm soapy water. Avoid using oils or oil-based cleaners.

Remove adhesive residue with water, vinegar, and soap. Mix 480 ml of water with 60 ml of vinegar, adding a few drops of dish soap. Dip a sponge into the solution and scrub the adhesive spots on the wall or door in a circular motion. This cleaning solution is gentle and won't peel the paint, though the surface may become slightly faded.

Consider using a magic eraser to remove adhesive marks. Wet the magic eraser with water and scrub until the adhesive disappears. The magic eraser is slightly abrasive, making it unsuitable for glass or high-gloss surfaces, but it’s safe to use on walls and doors; however, the paint might become a bit faded.

• You can purchase a magic eraser in the cleaning supplies section of most supermarkets and home goods stores.

Gather materials. When removing double-sided tape from window glass, avoid using heat as it could cause the glass to crack. Don’t use overly rough materials, as they could scratch the glass. Instead, you’ll need oil to break down the adhesive. Here’s what you’ll need:

• Butter knife (you can also use your fingernail)
• Glass cleaner
• Sponge or glass cleaning cloth
• Cooking oil or cleaning oil (mineral oil, Goo Gone, etc.)
• Rubbing alcohol

Try to remove the tape. You can use your fingernail to peel back a corner of the tape. Alternatively, use a butter knife, but be careful not to scratch the glass.

Spray glass cleaner on the adhesive residue. If you don’t have glass cleaner, you can make your own solution by mixing 480 ml of water with 60 ml of vinegar, and adding a few drops of dish soap.

Use a sponge to scrub the sprayed area in a circular motion. This will help loosen the adhesive. If your sponge has two sides (a smooth side and a rough side), try using the rough side.

Consider using oil and a safe glass cleaning sponge. If the glass cleaner and vinegar solution don't work, you will need to use cooking oil (such as olive oil) or a cleaning oil (like Goo Gone or Goof Off). Spray the oil on the adhesive and use a sponge to scrub until it’s clean.

Clean the glass with rubbing alcohol. Dip a soft cloth into rubbing alcohol and scrub until all adhesive and oil are removed from the glass.

• If adhesive marks remain, use a safe glass cleaning sponge dipped in oil to scrub again, then wash with rubbing alcohol. The rubbing alcohol will remove the oil, evaporate, and leave no residue on the glass.

Use a hairdryer to remove tape from paper. Plug in the hairdryer and set it to a medium or high heat. Point the nozzle at the tape and let the heat work for a few minutes. Afterward, try to peel off the tape with your fingers. This method is particularly effective on paper.

• Be cautious when applying this method to photos, as the heat could damage the image.

Consider using some cleaning products. Products like Goo Gone and Goof Off are excellent for removing double-sided tape, but they can potentially damage plastic surfaces. If you decide to use them on plastic, be cautious. Simply apply the product to the tape and let it soak for a few minutes, then peel off the tape. If it doesn’t come off, you can use a scouring pad to rub it off. The chemicals in these products will dissolve the adhesive.

• This method works best on glass. Avoid using it on paper, cardboard, or fabric as it may cause staining.

Consider using cooking oil. Cooking oil acts similarly to cleaning products but without the harmful chemicals, making it safer for delicate surfaces like plastic. Simply apply oil to the area that needs cleaning and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping off with a cleaning sponge.

• Avoid using oil on paper, cardboard, or fabric as it can stain these materials.

Try acetone or nail polish remover on non-painted surfaces. These solutions will break down the adhesive, making it easier to remove. Like alcohol, these liquids evaporate quickly without leaving residue. However, they will also dissolve paint and finish, so they are not ideal for use on plastic or painted surfaces. Apply a small amount of acetone or nail polish remover to the tape, wait a few minutes, then peel it off. This method works best on fabric as it won’t leave stains.

• This method can work on paper and cardboard, but it may cause the paper to curl and wrinkle (as with any liquid).
• If using nail polish remover, opt for the basic version without added ingredients like vitamins or strengthening agents. Avoid colored versions, as they can stain surfaces.

Use rubbing alcohol on plastic surfaces. Rubbing alcohol is similar to acetone but less potent, meaning it’s less likely to damage paint or gloss finishes. However, this also means the surface might still have adhesive residue, requiring a sponge to clean it. This method is effective on fabric surfaces.

Try using masking tape to peel off double-sided tape. Tear a piece of masking tape and press it firmly onto the double-sided tape; hold one corner of the masking tape. Slowly peel the masking tape towards you, and it will lift off the double-sided tape as well.

• You can also use fabric tape or Scotch tape for this method.

Use oil to remove adhesive from plastic and glass. You can use cooking oils like olive oil, mineral oil, or cleaning oils like Goo Gone or Goof Off. Soak a cotton ball in oil and rub it onto the surface until the adhesive is gone. Use a separate cotton ball soaked in alcohol to wipe away the oil.

• If you’re working with a large flat surface, you can pour the oil directly onto the area and wait for a few minutes.
• Avoid using oil on unfinished wood or walls, as it can seep in and stain the surface.

Try using acetone on glass. Do not use acetone on painted, glossy, or plastic surfaces, as it can strip paint and melt certain plastics. For light adhesive residue, dip a cotton ball in acetone and rub it onto the adhesive until it is removed. For stubborn residues, you should spray acetone onto the tape and let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it clean.

• This method can be combined with the oil method.
• Acetone is safe for most fabrics, but you should test it on a hidden spot first, as it may fade fabric dye.

Use rubbing alcohol to clean adhesive off various surfaces. This method is safe for use on walls, plastic, wood (both finished and unfinished), fabric, and glass. While alcohol may not break down paint or finishes, it can cause colors to fade. For best results, use a high concentration of alcohol (90%), but 70% alcohol is preferable for painted surfaces.

• For smooth surfaces, soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and scrub the adhesive until it is gone.
• For rougher surfaces, you can use a cloth or towel to prevent fibers from sticking to the material.
• If the adhesive is stubborn, pour the rubbing alcohol into a spray bottle and saturate the area. Wait a few minutes, then wipe it clean with a cloth or towel.

Try a mixture of vinegar, water, and dish soap. Mix 1 part vinegar with 8 parts water. Add a drop or two of dish soap and stir well. Soak a cloth in the mixture and apply it to the sticky area, letting it sit for a few minutes. Wipe clean with paper towels or a cloth. This method is generally safe for most surfaces, but it may cause discoloration or leave stains on some wall surfaces.

Try using your fingers or an eraser to rub off the adhesive. Some light adhesive residues can be easily rubbed off. If the residue becomes faint, simply use a cotton ball to wipe it clean.