Jackie asked: How do I remove sticky tape residue from carpet? Workmen taped plastic over the carpet so it wouldn’t get dirty and now they have removed the plastic, but left sticky residue from the tape.
Table of Contents:
Removing adhesives from carpeting can be a time consuming job as it must be worked out of the carpet fibers. There are plenty of products available to aid in the process, but the larger the area that’s affected, the longer it’s going to take. There are no shortcuts with this clean-up job, but the results will be well worth the effort.
You Will Need:
- Cleaning Product (choose one)
- Goo Gone (available at Walmart or other department and home improvement stores)
- Lighter fluid
- De-Solv-It (available at Walmart with the furniture polishes)
- Rubbing alcohol
- Soft cloths
- Mild soap
- Water
- Bucket
- Rubber gloves
- Vacuum
Steps to Remove the Residue:
- Begin by choosing the desired cleaning product. If the first one doesn’t work, feel free to try a second. You may find that one works better for the particular type of tape residue found on your particular type of carpet, so feel free to experiment.
- It is best to work in small lengths along the strip of residue.
- Apply a small amount of cleaner to a section of the residue. Try to keep your section less than 12 inches.
- Wearing rubber gloves, gently rub the fibers of the carpet to work in the cleaner and loosen the residue.
- Gently rub the fibers with the soft cloth to remove the residue. Continue working with clean areas of the cloth until all of the residue is gone.
- Move onto the next section and repeat the process above.
- When the entire area of residue is removed, the next step is to remove the cleaning product.
- Wash the area with a mild soap and water mixture. Moisten a soft cloth and gently wipe the area until all of the cleaner is gone.
- Allow the area to dry completely.
- When the entire area is dry, vacuum to restore the fibers to their normal texture.
Additional Tips and Ideas
- When using products designed to break down adhesives, ensure that you only moisten the tops of the fibers. If the product soaks into the carpet backing, it will dissolve the glue that holds the carpet together and cause a much bigger problem.
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I used the rubbing alcohol method and it worked amazingly. Just use circular forceful motion… you will have to through away your rag but it really works, and it didn’t turn my tan carpet green. THANKS
I would never have tried the rubbing alcohol, but the comment made earlier convinced me to try. GooGone also works, but takes much longer and is so much more expensive.
There are two different types of rubbing alcohol and the isopropyl type comes in varying degrees of isopropyl content… 70% 90%, etc. What did you use?
The alcohol worked great. And EASY! FYI, I used 70%.
I am completely amazed! I had this unknown sticky mark on my carpet. After reading the comments, I tried rubbing alcohol (70%) that I had on hand. About three minutes of elbow grease later, it was completely gone! I am telling everyone I know about this trick! I am sad to admit that I searched all over the house for more spots to remove. Give it a try; you will not regret it.
Thanks, I will try rubbing alcohol. I have just taken plastic up off my carpets and have lines with sticky stuff all over.
Thanks for all the comments. I haven’t started yet, but will be using alcohol as suggested, and I have high hopes. Thanks again.
I had a six inch piece of double-sided tape stuck to my carpet. I used the rubbing alcohol as recommended, by pouring a small amount on the first inch. Just after a few seconds, I pulled up the edge of the tape, and miraculously, I could remove the entire six inches in one piece. Thank you.
Lacquer thinner worked fast and did the job the best for me. I duct taped tarps down in a customers hallway and bedroom (new carpet) and six weeks later, I tore it up. After a week, dust and dirt adhered to the residual adhesive left from the tape and we received a call back from the customer. I tried 90% alcohol and it made no difference whatsoever. I then tried lacquer thinner in an inconspicuous area and found it left no stain and did not discolor the carpet. So, I gave it a shot and applied a good amount to a clean rag and started rubbing. In less than a minute it came out and transferred to the rag. I used a powerful shop vac to be sure that I sucked up anything left and it looked good as new. Try it; I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.
Rubbing alcohol worked great on the adhesive stain!
I had two way tape going around the edges of a small area rug to hold it “in place” on the wall-to-wall carpet. The tape had stuck to the carpet, collected dog hair and looked nasty. After reading the comments, I tried the rubbing alcohol (70% ) trick. Poured it on an old rag and then rubbed it in a circular motion. It removed all the sticky residue and the dog hair attached to it… In short; It works!!!!