An ironing applique can be an excellent way to express your personal style and is a nice addition to many different garments. However, you may get tired of the application after a while. Unfortunately, most ironing applications are permanent. However, you can try to uninstall the application using one or more of the methods described below.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Using chemical solvents
Step 1. Purchase a chemical solvent intended for letter and ironing application removal
There are solvents made especially for this purpose, but you can also try household solvents such as nail polish remover, rubbing alcohol, or a sticker and glue remover.
Step 2. Place the garment in the tumble dryer
Putting the garment in the dryer at high heat for a few minutes will heat up the glue and possibly loosen it a bit.
Step 3. Turn the garment inside out
The ironing application must be on the inside. Locate where the iron on appliqué is located and lay the garment so that the inside of the garment with the appliqué behind it is facing up (in such a way that if you could see through the fabric you could see the back of the appliqué). can see).
Step 4. Test the solvent in an inconspicuous area
Before applying the solvent to the entire garment, test it in an inconspicuous area to make sure the chemicals won't damage the garment.
Step 5. Soak the garment with the solvent
Apply the solvent liberally to the area of the fabric behind which the application is located. The idea here is that the solvent will leak through the fabric and loosen the adhesive between the fabric and the ironing application.
Step 6. Stretch the fabric
Stretching and pulling on the fabric helps to draw the solvent through the fabric so it can penetrate the adhesive. You may need to apply more solvent after stretching.
Step 7. Peel off the application
If the solvent has done its job properly, you should now be able to peel the appliqué from the garment. You may need to use a knife to scratch the appliqué so that it is easier to pull it off. You can also rewarm the application using a hair dryer.
Step 8. Remove any remaining glue residue
After you have removed the application, there may be some glue residue left behind. You can try to remove the residue with rubbing alcohol or an adhesive remover. Before using a chemical on the fabric, you should test it on an inconspicuous spot in the fabric to see how the substance reacts.
Step 9. Wash the garment separately
Wash the garment alone and do this by hand or in the washing machine. If you wash it with other garments, the solvent may damage other garments. Make sure you wash the garment well and use extra detergent before wearing it. This prevents your skin from coming into contact with the solvent.
Method 2 of 3: Using heat and steam
Step 1. Lay the garment down on a flat surface
An ironing board or table covered with a towel is fine. Make sure that the surface you use can withstand heat.
Step 2. Tuck a towel into the garment
Placing a small towel or cloth inside the garment can help prevent damage to the other side of the garment. You can also use a piece of cardboard or very thin plywood if the towel is difficult to work with because it is too soft.
Step 3. Look at the care label on the garment
Making the garment warmer than the recommended maximum temperature stated on the care label may damage the fabric. Some fabrics, such as polyester, can even melt if they get too hot.
Step 4. Use a hair dryer to warm up the ironing application
Setting a blow dryer on the highest setting and holding it very close to the letters will allow the glue on the back of the iron on to become hot enough to soak, allowing you to remove the application.
Step 5. Use steam to heat the application
You can also use steam to warm up the ironing application. Place a wet towel on the application and place a very hot iron on top. The steam can cause the adhesive on the back of the appliqué to become hot enough to soften, allowing you to remove the appliqué.
Step 6. Use a sharp knife to loosen the application
When the application has become loose due to the heat, scrape the edge with a sharp knife so that the ironing application rises. Once you have pulled up part of the appliqué, it should be easier to pull the rest of the appliqué up away from the fabric little by little.
Step 7. Continue heating parts of the application and removing them
You may have to handle a very small portion of the application at a time so that it stays very warm and you can scrape it off.
Step 8. Be patient
This method can take a long time. So put on some of your favorite music and challenge yourself to keep going until you've uninstalled the entire application.
Step 9. Remove any remaining glue residue
After you have removed the application, there may be some glue residue left behind. You can try to remove the residue with rubbing alcohol or an adhesive remover. Before using a chemical on the fabric, you should test it on an inconspicuous spot in the fabric to see how the substance reacts.
Step 10. Wash the garment as usual
After you have removed the application and the glue residue, wash the garment as you normally would. Do this in any case if you have used a chemical to remove residual glue. The chemical can irritate or damage your skin.
Method 3 of 3: Using an iron
Step 1. Place the garment on an ironing board
Make sure that the appliqué is facing up and that you lay the garment completely flat. If you don't have an ironing board, place a towel on a hard surface, such as a table, counter, washer, or dryer.
Step 2. Tuck a towel into the garment
Placing a small towel or cloth inside the garment can help prevent damage to the other side of the garment. You can also use a piece of cardboard or very thin plywood if the towel is difficult to work with because it is too soft.
Step 3. Look at the care label on the garment
Making the garment warmer than the recommended maximum temperature stated on the care label may damage the fabric. Some fabrics, such as polyester, can even melt if they get too hot. This method uses direct heat and is more likely to damage the garment than the other methods.
Step 4. Let the iron heat up
The iron should be as hot as possible. This may mean that the iron is warmer than the maximum temperature indicated on the care label. If you're concerned that you'll damage the garment, you may want to try another method. You can try it with a medium temperature first and then slowly run the iron on a higher temperature to find the right temperature that will allow you to remove the appliqué but not damage the garment.
Step 5. Place wax paper on vinyl letters
If the application is made of vinyl, place wax paper over it and iron directly over the wax paper. The vinyl application will melt and stick to the wax paper. You can pull the letters off the garment by removing the wax paper. This only works with vinyl ironing applications.
Step 6. Run the iron over a corner of the application
The heat from the iron should just melt the application away. Start with a corner and then work your way to the other side of the appliqué.
Step 7. Make short strokes with the iron to remove the application
When one of the corners has come loose, make quick movements with your iron in the direction of the application. The application should loosen up even more and may eventually melt away.
Step 8. Continue until the application is completely removed
Continue ironing directly over the application with the iron until the application is completely removed. If your garment appears to be damaged, you may want to set the iron on a lower setting.
Step 9. Remove any remaining glue residue
After you have removed the application, there may be some glue residue left behind. You can try to remove the residue with rubbing alcohol or an adhesive remover. Before using a chemical on the fabric, you should test it on an inconspicuous spot in the fabric to see how the substance reacts.
Step 10. Wash the garment as usual
After you have removed the application and the glue residue, wash the garment as you normally would. Do this in any case if you have used a chemical to remove residual glue. The chemical can irritate or damage your skin.
Tips
- You can combine several of the methods described above if you wish. You may need to use more than one method to remove the iron on.
- Know that the longer the application has been on the garment, the less effective a chemical solvent is at removing it.
- How easy the application is to remove depends partly on the type of application and the adhesive used. Remember that most applications are permanent.