How to Remove Rhinestones From Cloth
Removing rhinestones from cloth will be easiest if you know the product that adhered the rhinestones to the cloth in the first place. In this case, you can find a product that specifically serves as a remover for the active ingredient. Removing rhinestones from materials might be necessary if the original placement was wrong or if some of the rhinestones in a design have fallen off and now the design looks odd. Or, you might want to remove rhinestones from damaged clothing and add them to a new piece of clothing.
Instructions
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Determine your reason for removing the rhinestones. If you are removing them from a damaged or outgrown piece of clothing to reapply them in the same formation, sketch the formation, or take a photograph of the clothing before removing any rhinestones.
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Match up the removal product with the active ingredient if you know the active ingredient. You can find removal products for adhesive glues used for rhinestones, sequins and badges in craft stores and from online retailers.
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Apply the removal product on the inside of the cloth where you glued the rhinestone. Leave the product on for the exact recommended time per manufacturer's recommendations, and apply it in a room with a temperature above 65 degrees.
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Use a fingernail, coin or smooth-tipped plastic butter knife to push the rhinestones off the cloth. The rhinestones should remove easily if the removal product was the right match for the active ingredient in the adhering product.
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Wipe the rhinestones off with a cloth with dish soap and water or the recommend cleaning solution per the manufacturer's directions if you plan on reusing the rhinestone. Leaving a removal product on the rhinestones can cause discolor or damage the rhinestones.
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Tips & Warnings
If the rhinestones were affixed using a prong system, use a pair of jewelry-making fine-tip needle-nose pliers to gently open the prongs and remove the rhinestones.
Don’t try to gently hammer off large rhinestones. You can crack, split, or crush them or hurt yourself trying to remove them. Use the right removal product.
