How to Unseal an Envelope Without Tearing It

Open a prematurely sealed envelope by freezing it.

Accidentally sealing an envelope before everything is in it does not mean that you have to tear the envelope open and throw it away. Instead, you can unseal your envelope and reuse it with a straightforward process.

Things You'll Need

• Freezer
• Butter knife

Instructions

1. Put your sealed envelope in the freezer and leave for two to three hours.

2. After retrieving the envelope from the freezer, carefully slide the blunt edge of a butter knife under the envelope's flap. The cold should have weakened the glue, and the two sides will separate.

3. Reseal the envelope by wetting the glue again and closing the envelope as you would normally.

Tips & Warnings

• Work slowly and carefully with the butter knife. If the seal is reluctant to open, put it back in the freezer for another hour.

References

• Deseret News: "Hot Way to Unseal Envelope"
• Fred's Head: "Unsealing An Envelope"