How to Remove Iron-On Appliques

Iron-on appliques can make anything look a little better.

Using iron-on appliques is a quick and easy way to add some flair to a plain piece of clothing. However, after a few cycles in the washing machine and the dryer, the applique might not look so great. Ironing it on was the fun, easy part, but now the hard work of removing it begins. If you want to save the garment that has the iron-on, you will have to exercise caution when attempting to remove it.

Things You'll Need

• White paper
• Scissors
• Iron
• Dryer

Instructions

1. Lay out the garment on a table or other flat surface. Measure the applique and, with the scissors, cut a piece of white paper large enough to entirely cover the applique. Make sure the piece of paper overlaps the applique by about 1/2 inch on each side, so that when you remove it, it transfers completely onto the paper and not your ironing-board pad.

2. Put the article of clothing in the dryer for about 15 minutes. This will heat up the transfer and the piece of clothing as well. Once the dryer cycle has stopped, take out the garment and lay it out on the ironing board or another flat surface, such as a table.

3. Heat up the iron. Once the iron is heated, make sure the garment is not inside out. Place the white paper over the applique and place the iron on the back side of the applique. For example, if the applique is on a T-shirt, put the iron inside the T-shirt and heat up the applique by ironing back and forth over the area where the applique is located. This could take some time, so be patient.

4. Check the paper occasionally. Once the applique begins to come off, it will stick to the paper. When you notice that the applique is beginning to lift, you can sometimes peel it off easily. Just make sure you don't heat the garment too much, because you can damage it before you get the applique completely off.

5. Keep applying heat by ironing back and forth over the area. Eventually, the applique will become heated enough to completely remove. Once this is done, you may notice that there is residual glue left on the garment. You can either put the garment back in the dryer for 15 minutes to heat up the glue, or you can try a product like Goo Gone.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not constantly apply heat to the garment. Iron for 5 or so minutes and check the material for damage

• Goo Gone and other similar products may damage or discolor the garment. Do a spot test on it before applying a large amount of product.