How to Get Fashion Tape Off of Clothes

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Double-sided fashion tape is a mainstay in every fashion stylist’s emergency kit. This clear strip of adhesive helps to hold bra straps in place, temporarily hems too-long pants and secures deep and plunging necklines in an instant. When this durable and super-sticky tape remains on your favorite articles of clothing, you don’t have to rush the items to your neighborhood dry cleaner. Using a few, simple cleaning tips, you can remove the adhesive easily, without damaging the garment beyond repair.

Step 1

Swipe an ice cube across the surface of the fabric for one to two minutes. The ice hardens the sticky tape fibers for easy removal.

Step 2

Use a metal spoon or dull knife to scrape the sticky residue from the fibers. Scrape the icy fibers gently and quickly to prevent from tearing the garment.

Step 3

Saturate a cotton ball with isopropyl alcohol or a waterless hand-sanitizing product. Press the soaked cotton ball into the fabric to remove the remaining pieces of tape. Rinse the stain with a clean cotton ball dipped in water.

Step 4

Pour a teaspoon of a mild pre-treating product over the stained area. If the item is cashmere, hand-wash with lukewarm water and mild liquid soap. Launder your cotton, linen, nylon and acrylic pieces in warm water and heavy-duty detergent on a permanent press washing cycle. Hang the item in a cool and well-ventilated area to dry overnight.