How to Remove a Staple
Everybody uses staples to bind their documents together; some people wouldn't even think of passing something along without a staple in the upper-left corner. The trouble is, sometimes they're inconvenient and need to be removed. Luckily, that can be done with little trouble and no damage to the paper being held together.
Other People Are Reading
Things You'll Need
- Light-gauge staple remover (if available)
- Heavy-gauge staple remover (if applicable)
Instructions
-
Small Staples
-
1
Find a staple remover: If you work in an office, chances are you don't have to buy one. The receptionist or another of your colleagues more than likely has a light-gauge staple remover lying around, or there might be one in the office-supply closet.
-
2
Position the staple remover: A light-gauge staple remover looks like a pair of alligator jaws. Put your thumb on the bottom handle and index and middle fingers on the top handle. Put the square the jaws over the top side of the staple, with the points on either side of the staple, tight against the paper.
-
-
3
Squeeze: The staple remover is designed to loosen the staple. So squeeze the jaws together until they're pinching the staple. You may need to wiggle it a bit to get the staple nice and loose.
-
4
Remove: Once the staple is loose, pull it out. Be careful not to damage your papers.
Heavy-Gauge Staples
-
5
Find a staple remover: Heavy-gauge staple removers are a less common, so you may have to buy one.
-
6
Get it in position: The heavy-gauge staple remover is designed kind of like an awl, and should be used as such. Put the tip under the flat part of the staple.
-
7
Dig: This may require some pressure, depending on the thickness of the staple and the number of papers it is binding. Once you get the tip of the remover under the staple, twist it a few times to get the staple loose.
-
8
Remove: Once the prongs are loose, pull the staple out, being careful not to damage your documents.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
If you have no staple remover, there is another trick you can try. Grab something that you can get under the prongs of the staple (on the underside). This can be a pen or butter knife, for example. Use it to loosen the prongs, then flip the paper over and pull the staple out using your thumb and forefinger, being careful not to damage your papers or prick yourself with the staple.
