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How to Clean Tape

If you're a big fan of sticky, masking, or duct tape, you've probably run into some annoying residue spots on your clothing and furniture. While tape residue may seem like a permanent fixture in your home, it doesn't have to be! Most...
Method 1 of 3:

Removing Tape from Specific Surfaces

  1. Freeze synthetic clothing and rub it with dish soap. Collect any polyester, rayon, nylon, acrylic, or other synthetic garments that have stubborn tape spots on them. Stick the clothes in the freezer for 45-90 minutes, depending on how large the residue mark is. Remove your clothes from the freezer, then pinch and pluck off any frozen clumps of residue from the fabric. As a finishing touch, wet the fabric with warm water and scrub 1-2 drops of dish soap into the spot with a clean microfiber cloth.[1]
    1. You can launder your clothing normally after you've gotten rid of the stain.
    2. Always check the care label before spot treating any stains. If you're uncertain, test a very small section of fabric to make sure your cleaner is safe to use.
  2. Scrub over any tape residue on natural clothing with acetone. Pour a grape-sized amount of acetone onto a paper towel or rag. Rub the solvent over the tape residue until it begins to peel away completely. After this, you can wash and dry the clothing as you usually would.[2]
    1. This works best with natural fibers, like cotton, linen, or wool.
  3. Use liquid detergent to clean tape residue off your fridge. Scrape away as much residue as you can with your fingers. If there's still some leftover, pour a few drops of liquid detergent onto a paper towel or cloth. Rub down the problem spot until all the residue goes away, leaving you with a smooth surface.[3]
  4. Wipe down any glass with warm water to get rid of residue. Soak a microfiber cloth or sponge with warm water, then start rubbing the problem spot. Work in quick, short motions so you can apply a lot of pressure to the area. Do your best to remove as much residue as you can![4]
  5. Apply a spot remover on your carpet if there's leftover tape residue. Take a commercial spot remover and pour enough product to completely cover the tape residue. Scrub down the problem spot with a ridged, plastic agitator to work away any residue. It may take a few minutes before you see any results, so don't be discouraged if you aren't seeing progress at first![5]
    1. You can find spot remover and an agitator online, or in a store that sells cleaning products.
  6. Blow a hair dryer on any tape residue that's stuck to wood. Turn your blow dryer to the highest possible setting and hold it at least 3 to 4 in (7.6 to 10.2 cm) away from the wooden surface. Hover the dryer over the residue for 60 seconds, then use a scraper to pry the residue from the wood. Continue heating the surface in 1 minute increments until the residue is completely gone.[6]
Method 2 of 3:

Trying Home Remedies

  1. Scrape off tape residue with a razor blade or pan scraper. Place the horizontal edge of the blade or scraper above the tape residue, then slowly move it downwards. Try picking up as much gunk as you can, using smooth motions to get the job done. This method works best with plastic, but isn't a great option for glass or other delicate objects, like the back of a book cover.[7]
    1. You can also use a putty knife for this.[8]
  2. Soak smaller items in soapy hot water. Fill a basin or sink with hot water, then stir in a pea-sized amount of dish soap. Submerge the sticky item, like a cup, in the soapy water for several minutes, so the residue can soften. At this point, use a scraping tool or your fingernails to scratch away any leftover gunk.[9]
    1. Always use hot water for this, since cold water won't remove the residue as well.
  3. Pour a small amount of vegetable oil or mayonnaise over the residue. Make sure the sticky area is completely covered. You can also pour the oil onto a separate rag, then place the soaked cloth over the residue. Leave the natural solvent in place for about 1 hour, then wipe away the residue with a clean towel.[10]
    1. You can also use a scraper to clean off the tape gunk, too.

    Tip: If you don't have vegetable oil or mayonnaise on hand, try using peanut butter instead! Completely cover the problem area with peanut butter, then let it sit for an hour. Afterwards, you can wipe away the residue really easily![11]

  4. Cover the sticky spot with white vinegar. Soak a rag completely with vinegar, then wring out any of the excess. Drape the cloth over the tape residue and leave it in place for around 5 minutes. After letting the problem spot soak, try rubbing away the residue with a clean towel or paint scraper.[12]
  5. Rub the tape residue with a classic rubber eraser. Find an old eraser lying around your home and move it furiously across the sticky surface. See if the friction from the rubber item helps to get rid of the tape residue.[13]
    1. If you don't have an eraser on hand, you can buy one at any store selling school supplies.
Method 3 of 3:

Applying Different Cleaners

  1. Soak the tape residue with rubbing alcohol. Soak a rag or paper towel with rubbing alcohol, then place it over the problem area. After 10 minutes or so, lift the cloth and try rubbing away the residue with a scraper or clean cloth. Be sure to dispose of the alcohol-soaked cloth carefully once you're done![14]
    1. You can also use regular vodka if you don't have rubbing alcohol on hand.
  2. Spray WD-40 over the residue to get rid of it. Put on some protective gloves before handling the lubricant. Spritz the product over all the tape residue, then let it sit for about 5 minutes. At this point, use a clean cloth or paper towel to wipe away the excess gunk.[15]
    1. You can find WD-40 online, or in most stores that sell cleaning products.
  3. Pour a standard adhesive remover over the problem spot. Check your local store for Goo-Gone, or some other type of adhesive remover. Cover the tape residue with a small amount of the cleaner, then let it sit for a few minutes. Once the residue has time to soften, wipe away the leftover gunk with a clean cloth.[16]
    1. Always read the instructions on the bottle for specific guidance.
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