Around the House
How Do I Clean Duct Tape Residue from ... everything!
Originally conceived by a concerned mother of two young men serving in the Navy during World War II, duct tape has become synonymous with fixing anything and everything that needs to be held together.
But, when it’s time to remove the tape, you may find that much of the adhesive remains behind. Cleaning the mess need not be a sticky situation (c’mon, you knew the pun was coming). Here are a few ways you can remove left over duct tape adhesive.
The Solution in 5 Steps:
Adhesives, such as that found on duct tape, are best removed with some form of solvent. You can find these solvents in a variety of common products that you may already have in your home, such as Goof Off, Goo Gone, WD-40, or non-toxic, naturally essential oils that contain limone, which includes many citrus essential oils such as doTERRA's lemon essential oil and lime essential oil.
Regardless of which product you choose, the process for removing adhesive residue is the same.
Step 1: Test the cleaning product in an inconspicuous spot. Hard surfaces, such as walls and resilient floors, are generally fine. However, it is always best to make sure that any cleaning agent you are using will not have any adverse effects, such as color transfer from the towel to the surface being cleaned.
Step 2: Apply a cleaning solution to a clean, dry white towel. White towels are generally preferred for cleaning, since you do not need to worry about color transfer from the towel to the surface being cleaned. By applying the cleaning product to the towel, it gives you more control than if you sprayed the product directly on the duct tape adhesive. If using Goo Gone, Goof Off or WD-40, spray a liberal amount onto the cloth. If using an essential oil, dab a small amount of the oil onto the cloth. Do not dilute the essential oil.
Step 3: Spread the cleaner over the residue, starting from the outside edge. Start from the edge of the adhesive. You will have best results by working the adhesive from the outside of the affected area toward the middle, rather than attempting to clean the entire area at the same time.
Step 4: Agitate! If you are cleaning a hard surface, then scrub the adhesive with force that is appropriate for the surface you are cleaning. A metal surface can withstand aggressive rubbing, but a painted surface may be damaged if you apply too much pressure. Use your best judgement. If necessary, test again in an inconspicuous area before you turn your small clean-up project into a remodeling project. If you are cleaning a carpet or other textile, use a plastic spoon to work the cleaner into the adhesive.
Step 5: Rinse and repeat (as necessary). Wipe the cleaned area with a cloth dipped in clear water. Then, buff the area dry with a clean, dry towel. While progress may be slow, that’s ok! Repeat as necessary until all the adhesive is removed. See the “Pro Tips” below for information on how to rinse the cleaning agents from carpet.
Pro Tips:
But, when it’s time to remove the tape, you may find that much of the adhesive remains behind. Cleaning the mess need not be a sticky situation (c’mon, you knew the pun was coming). Here are a few ways you can remove left over duct tape adhesive.
The Solution in 5 Steps:
Adhesives, such as that found on duct tape, are best removed with some form of solvent. You can find these solvents in a variety of common products that you may already have in your home, such as Goof Off, Goo Gone, WD-40, or non-toxic, naturally essential oils that contain limone, which includes many citrus essential oils such as doTERRA's lemon essential oil and lime essential oil.
Regardless of which product you choose, the process for removing adhesive residue is the same.
Step 1: Test the cleaning product in an inconspicuous spot. Hard surfaces, such as walls and resilient floors, are generally fine. However, it is always best to make sure that any cleaning agent you are using will not have any adverse effects, such as color transfer from the towel to the surface being cleaned.
Step 2: Apply a cleaning solution to a clean, dry white towel. White towels are generally preferred for cleaning, since you do not need to worry about color transfer from the towel to the surface being cleaned. By applying the cleaning product to the towel, it gives you more control than if you sprayed the product directly on the duct tape adhesive. If using Goo Gone, Goof Off or WD-40, spray a liberal amount onto the cloth. If using an essential oil, dab a small amount of the oil onto the cloth. Do not dilute the essential oil.
Step 3: Spread the cleaner over the residue, starting from the outside edge. Start from the edge of the adhesive. You will have best results by working the adhesive from the outside of the affected area toward the middle, rather than attempting to clean the entire area at the same time.
Step 4: Agitate! If you are cleaning a hard surface, then scrub the adhesive with force that is appropriate for the surface you are cleaning. A metal surface can withstand aggressive rubbing, but a painted surface may be damaged if you apply too much pressure. Use your best judgement. If necessary, test again in an inconspicuous area before you turn your small clean-up project into a remodeling project. If you are cleaning a carpet or other textile, use a plastic spoon to work the cleaner into the adhesive.
Step 5: Rinse and repeat (as necessary). Wipe the cleaned area with a cloth dipped in clear water. Then, buff the area dry with a clean, dry towel. While progress may be slow, that’s ok! Repeat as necessary until all the adhesive is removed. See the “Pro Tips” below for information on how to rinse the cleaning agents from carpet.
Pro Tips:
- If you are attempting to remove duct tape adhesive from a soft surface, such as carpet or upholstery, be prepared to rinse the cleaning product from the fabric. A hot water extractor, commonly called a steam machine, is your best choice. If one is not available, rinse by spraying the area with clear water, then blot. Repeat as necessary until you have removed all of the cleaning agent. Products such as Goo Gone, Goof Off and other solvent based cleaners, can cause a condition in your carpet known as delamination. Basically, if left in the carpet too long, these solvents will begin to dissolve the glue which keeps the carpet fibers attached to each other..
- Don’t rush the cleaning. Removing adhesive from any surface is going to take some time. Approach this project with the expectation that it is going to take longer than you expect, because there are several factors that can affect the outcome: such as a the brand of duct tape (as some adhere better than others), or how long the duct tape was on the surface, as well as how well it was applied. Duct tape is a pressure sensitive adhesive, that is, when it is applied, the harder it is pressed against the surface, the stronger the bond.