How to Remove Adhesive Tape Painlessly

Adhesive tape is available in a variety of colors, designs and sizes.

An inexpensive and common way to adhere one item to another is with adhesive tape. Adhesive tape is used in a variety of situations and on various surfaces. Unfortunately, once adhesive tape adheres to a surface it can be difficult to remove. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways to remove adhesive tape painlessly with a few common household items.

Things You'll Need

• Small bowl
• Rubbing alcohol
• Sponges
• Plastic paint scrapper or butter knife
• Hairdryer
• Cloths
• Nail polish remover
• Shortening
• Spatula

Instructions

1. Fill a small bowl with rubbing alcohol. Saturate a sponge in the rubbing alcohol. Rub the adhesive tape with the sponge until the tape is thoroughly saturated. Use a plastic paint scraper or a butter knife to gently scrape the softened adhesive tape off the surface. If needed, reapply the rubbing alcohol and continue scrubbing with the sponge and scraping with the scraper until the adhesive tape is removed.

2. Apply heat to the adhesive tape by using a hairdryer. Keep the hairdryer a few inches above the tape. Begin at one corner of the tape and apply heat while gently pulling the adhesive tape off the surface. Continue pulling the tape and applying heat until you have removed the adhesive tape from the surface.

3. Dampen a cloth with nail polish remover. Scrub the adhesive tape with the saturated cloth in a lunar motion. Continue dampening the cloth with the nail polish remover and scrubbing the tape until you have removed all traces of the adhesive tape.

4. Spread shortening over the adhesive tape with a spatula. Let the shortening sit on the surface for 10 to 15 minutes. Dampen a cloth in cool water. Scrub the adhesive tape and shortening with the cloth. Continue applying the shortening. Allow it to sit for 10 to 15 minutes, and then scrub it with a damp cloth until you remove the adhesive tape.

Tips & Warnings

• Rub adhesive tape residue stuck on hard surfaces with a pencil eraser.

References

• Ron Haselton's Housecalls: How to Remove Stubborn Masking Tape
• Reader's Digest: Extraordinary Uses for Nail Polish Remover
• Reader's Digest: Extraordinary Uses for Shortening