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John asked: I have double sided tape adhesive on my vinyl flooring from last year’s patio door weather kit. How do I remove it?
The
challenge of removing adhesives is not new. There are many creative solutions to this problem. Here are several options that are commonly found around the house that will help to loosen the adhesive and allow it to be removed.
Using Products
You Will Need:
- Remover (Choose one):
- Rubbing alcohol
- Avon Skin So Soft
- WD-40
- Goo Gone
- Oil, such as cooking oil or baby oil
- Water
- Sponges
- Soft cloths
- Mild soap
Steps to Remove the Tape:
- Start by selecting a remover.
- Apply some of the product to the surface of the tape.
- Allow it to set for several minutes. This gives the remover time to loosen the bond between the tape and the flooring.
- Peel up the corner of the tape and begin to pull it back.
- Apply additional remover to the underside of the tape as you go. Work slowly and evenly for the best results.
- Once the tape is removed, moisten a soft cloth or sponge with the removal product and scrub away any sticky residue that remains.
- When all of the residue is removed, clean the floor with soap and water to remove any of the removal product that may have been left behind.
- Allow the area to dry completely.
Using Heat
You Will Need:
- A hair dryer
- A plastic scraper
- A cloth
- Soap
- Water
Steps to Remove the Tape:
- Put a hair dryer on low heat and point it at the tape, holding it a few inches away.
- Move the hairdryer over the length of the tape evenly.
- The heat will loosen the adhesive. When it has loosened, carefully peel up a corner of the tape. It can help to use a plastic scraper or credit card to get up the edge if needed.
- Slowly peel off the tape.
- When the tape is gone, scrub off the sticky residue that remains with a soapy cloth.
- Pat the area dry with a towel when the residue is gone.
Additional Tips and Advice
- Paint thinner and lighter fluid can also be used. Use caution as both of these items are flammable. They should only be used in well ventilated, flame-free areas.
An old clothes iron on hardwood works well to take the film off, then use Goo Gone to get the residue.
I have removed this double-sided tape before from wood laminate flooring by using a hair dryer to heat it, it then comes of reasonably easily – any bits left sticking can then be removed with cloth and rubbing alcohol.
I’m now living in an apartment. New laminates were laid down. With a new area rug that wouldn’t lay flat, I used double sided sticky glue that comes in strips to hold it down. I had been tripping on the loose ends sticking up. I had to lift the rug up and realized I still had the tape on it. I was afraid to use Goof Off or anything similar. So, I tried the hot hair dryer approach. Thank God it worked. It took a little time to keep heating and pulling up on the tape. But at least I didn’t have to use any chemicals.
I used mineral spirits and it came off.
I got the tape off, but the residue I can’t move. Any ideas please?
Mary,
The process for removing the residue is the same as for the tape itself, however it may take longer to dissolve the residue enough for it to be removed (rather than dissolving it just enough for the tape to be removed). In other words, allow the remover to soak on the residue for longer to help it dissolve. You can do this by soaking a cloth with the remover and laying it over the residue, or by simply wiping the remover over the residue. Be careful not to use too much remover if you are soaking the area as it could seep between the vinyl tiles and work to dissolve the adhesive holding them on as well. Also, if one method doesn’t seem to be working, try another. Sometimes one remedy can only take you so far and it helps to try something else for a 1-2 punch. Good luck!