How To Remove Iron-On Patch Glue

By  Constance Barker

Things Needed

  • Plastic bag

  • Freezer

  • Table

  • Spoon or butter knife

  • Acetone or acetone nail polish

  • Cotton balls

  • Clean cloth

Iron-on decals are easy to add to clothing, but after removing the decal, the glue remains. A hot iron warms the glue enough to release the decal from the clothing, but the glue clings to the fibers in the fabric making it hard to remove. Normal washing usually does not help to release the glue so you must use other tactics to get it off your clothing. Simple solutions, however, can remove the adhesive and save your clothing.

Cold to Remove Glue

Step 1

Place the article of clothing in a plastic bag and put into the freezer. Leave it in the freezer over night.

Step 2

Take the clothing out of the freezer and the bag. Lay it flat on a table or other hard surface.

Step 3

Scrape at the frozen glue with a spoon or butter knife. The glue becomes hard and brittle in the freezer and should scrape off the clothing with some effort.

Acetone to Remove Glue

Step 1

Dip a cotton ball in acetone or nail polish containing acetone.

Step 2

Apply the cotton ball with the acetone to the glue on the clothing, making sure all the glue has the acetone on it. Wait two to three minutes while the acetone breaks down the glue.

Step 3

Wipe the glue from the clothing with a clean cloth. After all glue is removed, wash the clothing.

Tip

Before using acetone on the clothing, dab a tiny amount on an inside hem to make sure it does not damage the fabric or fade the color.

References

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