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.
References
- “Home Comforts: The Art and Science of Keeping House”; Cheryl Mendelson; 1999
- Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster — Tape Residue
- Real Simple: Do I Really Need to Dry-Clean This?
Writer Bio
Mimi Abney is a lifestyle writer specializing in online content for women. Her work has appeared in NewsOK.com and "Keepsake Magazine," among other publications. With over 15 years of writing and editing experience for the web and print, Abney is also a contributor to online health, beauty and fashion publications. She holds a Bachelor of Science in biology from Spelman College.
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