How to remove old iron-on transfers from clothes

Video: How to remove HTV with Iron and Tweezers - EASY Trick!

Content

Method 2 of 3: Using heat and steam
Method 3 of 3: Using an iron
Tips
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1 Buy a chemical remover to remove decals from fabric. There are special products available, but you can try removing the sticker with nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, or glue remover (such as Goo Gone).

2 Place the item in the tumble dryer. Run a high temperature program for a few minutes to heat up the sticker and make it more mobile.

3 Turn the thing inside out. The sticker should be inside. Find the place with the sticker and place the item so that the inside of the shirt with the sticker is facing up (the sticker will be in front of you, but inside out).

4 Test the remover on an inconspicuous area. Before applying the product to the decal, check to see if it will damage the fabric.

5 Moisten the area with the decal with the remover. Apply a generous amount of the product to the fabric so that it soaks through the sticker. The solvent should seep through the fabric and destroy the adhesive backing of the decal.

6 Pull the fabric. Stretch and wiggle the fabric to help the solvent penetrate the fibers. Then apply some more solvent.

7 Peel off the sticker. If the solvent works, you can easily remove the sticker from your clothing. Also try scrubbing the sticker with a knife or heating it.

8 Remove any glue residue. After the decal is removed, there will be traces of glue on the fabric. You can try getting rid of them with rubbing alcohol or a glue remover (such as Goo Gone). Try applying the product to an inconspicuous spot on the fabric first to see how it will behave.

9 Wash the item separately from other clothing. Wash it by hand or in the washing machine. If washed with other garments, the solvent can damage the fabric of other garments. Use more detergent than usual to completely flush the solvent out of the fabric and prevent it from coming into contact with your skin.

Method 2 of 3: Using heat and steam

1 Place your clothing on a flat surface. An ironing board or a table covered with a towel will work. This surface should not be afraid of high temperatures.
2 Place towels inside your shirt. This will protect the other side of the garment from damage. If the towel makes you uncomfortable (the surface becomes too soft), try using cardboard or a thin sheet of wood.
3 Read what is written on the shirt tag. If the item is heated more than it can withstand, the fabric will be damaged. Some fabrics (eg polyester) melt when exposed to high temperatures.
4 Heat the sticker with a hair dryer. If you switch the hair dryer to the highest setting and bring it close to the fabric, the sticker will begin to lag and you can try to remove it.
5 Heat the sticker with steam. This is the second heating option. Place a damp towel over the sticker and apply a hot iron. The steam will be hot enough to soften the sticker and remove it.
6 Try peeling off the sticker with a sharp knife. When the decal becomes viscous from the heat, start scrubbing the decal off the edges to lift it up. When it rises, it will be easier to remove it.
7 Keep heating the sticker and peeling it off. You may need to peel off a small piece at a time and keep heating the decal all the time so that it comes off more easily from the fabric.
8 Be patient. This method can take a long time. Play your favorite music and promise yourself not to give up until you remove the sticker completely.
9 Remove any glue residue from the fabric. After the decal has peeled off, there will be traces of glue on the fabric. You can try getting rid of them with rubbing alcohol or a glue remover (such as Goo Gone). Try applying the product to an inconspicuous spot on the fabric first to see how it will behave.
10 Wash the item as usual. After removing the sticker and glue residues, wash the item as usual.This is especially important if you've used chemicals to treat fabrics, as these can irritate and harm your skin.

Method 3 of 3: Using an iron

1 Place the item on the ironing board. The decal should be face up and the fabric should be flat. If you don't have an ironing board, you can place the towel on any hard surface, such as a desk, kitchen table, washing machine, or tumble dryer.
2 Place a towel inside the garment. The towel will prevent you from damaging the other side of the item. If the towel makes the work area too soft, place a piece of cardboard or a thin sheet of wood.
3 Read the care instructions. If the item is heated more than it can withstand, the fabric will be damaged. Some fabrics (eg polyester) melt when exposed to high temperatures. This method uses a direct heat source and the risk of tissue damage increases.
4 Heat the iron. The iron should be as hot as possible. You may need to heat it up more than what is indicated on the garment label. If you are afraid of damaging the item, it is better to use another method. You can start at a medium temperature and gradually increase it to a temperature that will remove the decal without damaging the fabric.
5 If the decal is vinyl, place a sheet of parchment on top of it. Place a sheet of parchment paper on top of the sticker and iron the paper with an iron. The vinyl will melt, stick to the paper, and you can easily remove the sticker by pulling on the paper. This will only work with vinyl decals.
6 Press the iron on the edge of the sticker. The high temperature will melt the sticker. Start at a corner and work your way up.
7 Move the iron over the sticker with small, sharp movements. When the edge starts to come off, quickly iron in the direction of the decal. The decal will continue to peel away from the fabric.
8 Repeat until the sticker comes off. Continue ironing the sticker. If you think the fabric is starting to burn through, lower the temperature.
9 Remove any glue residue. After the decal is removed, there will be traces of glue on the fabric. You can try getting rid of them with rubbing alcohol or a glue remover (such as Goo Gone). Try applying the product to an inconspicuous spot on the fabric first to see how it will behave.
10 Wash the item as usual. After removing the sticker and glue residues, wash the item as usual. This is especially important if you've used chemicals to treat fabrics, as these can irritate and harm your skin.

Tips

Use multiple methods at the same time as you see fit. One way may not be enough.
Remember, the longer the decal has been on the fabric, the more difficult it will be to remove.
The ability to remove a decal depends in part on the type of decal and adhesive used. Remember that iron-on transfers are usually not designed to be removed.