How To Remove an Iron Decal From a Shirt

Remove an iron-on decal with a hot iron.

Iron-on decals are placed on shirts for various reasons. Local softball or bowling leagues may place sponsoring company logos on their shirts or you may want to root for your favorite sports team by displaying the team's name on a shirt. Later you may decide you no longer want that decal or you want to replace it with a new one. Removing an ironed on decal is almost as simple as putting one on a shirt.

Things You'll Need

• Distilled water
• Steam Iron or non-steam iron
• Ironing board
• Acetone or lighter fluid

Instructions

1. Place distilled water into the steam iron to create steam.

2. Heat the steam iron or non-steam iron to the hottest setting. Turn the steam setting on for the steam iron.

3. Lay the shirt on the ironing board with the decal facing up.

4. Wait five minutes for the iron to become fully heated, and place iron on the decal.

5. Iron over the decal for 30 seconds. This allows the adhesive to become warm and the decal to loosen.

6. Take the iron off the decal and begin to pry up the edges of the decal with your fingers. Pull gently on the decal so you don't tear the shirt.

7. Iron over the patch again if the adhesive is sticking too tightly to remove from the shirt.

8. Remove leftover glue on the shirt with acetone or lighter fluid by applying a small amount to the glue. The acetone or lighter fluid loosens the glue, allowing you to scrape it off with your fingers. Wash shirt after removing glue.

Tips & Warnings

• Handle the iron with care so you do not burn yourself.

• Avoid contact with the steam coming out of the iron, as it may also burn your skin.

References

• Life Tips: Iron On Patch Removal