How to Remove Iron on Patches?

Are you struggling to remove iron-on patches from your garments? It’s easier than you think once you follow the techniques mentioned here.

Iron-on patches look really cool on your denim, jackets, shirts, and more. But what happens when you are simply bored of that patch you used? What to do when you make mistakes while applying the patch? Well, you have nothing to worry because there are easy ways to remove the patch in both cases.

So, if you have planned to get rid of the iron-on patches from your clothes completely, here are a few ideas to help you out.

How To Remove Iron On Patches?

Iron-on patches can be removed using several methods:

1. Nail polish remover: Apply using a cotton ball, then lift the patch edges.
2. Freezing: Freeze the garment for 2 hours, then carefully lift the patch.
3. Hair dryer: Use on high heat to loosen the patch, then remove.
4. White vinegar: Soak garment overnight in a 1:1 water-vinegar solution, then remove patch.

5. Warm water: Immerse garment until patch can be peeled off. After each method, clean residual adhesive with a glue remover.

How to Remove Iron on Patches With Nail Polish Remover?

Acetone, the magic ingredient that cleans the applied color on your fingernails, is very effective in eating away the glue present on the iron-on patches’ backside.

But the chemical might react with a particular clothing fabric by damaging the particular area with a permanent stain. Thus, you must not forget to take the clothing material through a trial by applying a drop of the nail polish remover over a minute portion of the garment’s non-visible side.

Follow the given steps to achieve success in your endeavor to detach the iron-on patch.

Step 1: Wet Cotton Ball With Nail Polish Remover

Take a cotton ball and immerse it in the nail polish remover solution. Smudge the iron-on patch’s edges with the cotton ball for the glue at its back to become loose.

Step 2: Lift the Patch Edges

You are required to gently pull off the iron-on patch edges while blotting it with the nail polish remover soaked cotton ball.

Step 3: Repeat the Process

Dip fresh cotton balls in the acetone solution as often as required to dab the iron-on patch before it entirely wears off from the cloth surface.

Step 4: Remove Glue From the Material

Gently pat the area that previously had the iron-on patch to remove the stickiness caused by the glue that held the patch onto the clothing so long.

How to Remove Iron on Patch by the Freezing Method?

Detaching iron-on patches from clothes gets easier on freezing the glue present at their backside. Avoid scraping off the iron-on patch as it would not work and tarnish your garment.

Step 1: Put the Apparel Item inside the Freezer

Place the garment with the iron-on patch inside a plastic bag to store it inside the freezer for 2 hours.

Step 2: Make the Garment Lie Flat

Place the clothing item on the table after removing it from the freezer and spread it flat. Try to lift the edges of the iron-on patch with the help of a spoon or butter knife.

Be careful not to use a sharp knife or instrument for peeling off the patch; otherwise, the clothing material may get damaged. Move the spoon or the butter knife beneath the patch to loosen the glue’s firmness.

Step 3: Remove the Remaining Glue from the Surface

After the iron-on patch has successfully popped off the concerned apparel, use Goo-gone or any other glue remover for cleaning the residual glue on the clothing surface.

Ensure that the fabric is free from every bit of the adhesive by following the instructions of its usage mentioned on the glue remover’s label.

How to Remove Iron on Patches with a Hair Dryer?

The heated air from the blow dryer works wonders in loosening the glue of iron-on patches.

Step 1: Turn on the High-Heat Mode

The hairdryer has to be set at the high heating temperature and brought over the back portion of the garment’s area with the iron-on patch fixed to it.

Step 2: Heating of the Adhesive

Keep on blow-drying the backside of the iron-on patch-covered portion of the clothing till the glue gets heated up.

Step 3: Separating the Iron-On Patch

The blow dry action shouldn’t be used more than a few seconds at a stretch, followed by the gentle lifting of the apparel patch. Repeat this process, so you don’t need to apply any force for plucking it from the garment, but it falls off automatically.

Step 4: Clean the Sticky Area of the Clothing

Apply any adhesive remover such as Goo-gone for extracting every glue bit on the cloth surface from where the iron-on patch has been removed.

How to Remove Iron on Patch With White Vinegar?

White vinegar is a classic solution for eradicating tough stains and is also an effective remedy for loosening glue. Prepare water and white vinegar solution in equal proportions and leave the apparel in it for a night.

Step 1: Prepare the Vinegar-Water Solution

Take water and white vinegar in the ratio of 1:1 to churn out the solution for soaking the garment that possesses the iron-on patch.

Step 2: Bring the Garment Out from the Solution

Put off the clothing from the solution after having it soaked for an entire night. Find out if the edges of the iron-on patch are getting lifted with ease. Take the help of a spoon or butter knife to eliminate the patch.

Step 3: Clear the Area of Unwanted Stickiness

Apply Goo-gone or a similar quality remover for cleaning the residual adhesive present on that area of the apparel that previously held the removed iron-on patch.

How to Remove Iron On Patches Using Warm Water?

Keeping the clothing item soaked inadequately warm water can at times beat any of the remedies mentioned above.

Step 1: Fully Immerse the Apparel

Every portion of the clothing item has to be underwater so fill the sink or bucket to the appropriate level.

Step 2: Submerge the Iron-On Patch

Apart from the rest of the clothing, that particular area has to stay deeply soaked in the warm water. You may place a weight on that portion so that it doesn’t float to the surface.

Step 3: Gently Peel off the Iron-On Patch

Make sure to change the bucket or sink water once it has lost its temperature and refill it with fresh warm water.

Then take the garment out and peel off the patch with gentle hands, followed by the application of Goo-gone to remove the adhesive stain.

How To Remove Iron On Patch Glue?

So, you have removed the patch but that glue remains. In fact, the glue seems to be clinging to the fabric for dear life. Here’s how you get rid of it:

Method 1: Using Cold For Removing The Glue

Step 1:

Put the cloth in a clean plastic bag and leave it in your freezer overnight.

Step 2:

Take your clothes out of your freezer the next day. Then, take it out of the bag and put it on a hard surface, like your work table.

Step 3:

Use a butter knife or spoon for scraping off that frozen glue. The glue gets brittle and hard in the freezer and can come off your clothes with a bit of effort.

Method 2: Using Acetone For Removing The Glue

Step 1:

Get a cotton ball dipped in acetone or your nail polish remover containing acetone.

Step 2:

Put the cotton ball having the acetone over the glue on your clothing to make sure that the glue gets acetone all over it. Now, wait for three minutes to let the acetone completely break down that glue.

Step 3:

Use a clean and clear cloth to wipe off the glue from your cloth. Wash the garment once after you remove the glue.

How To Remove Iron On Patches From Leather?

Iron-on patches do not stick for too long over leather. Thus, people tend to sew patches on the leather jackets, rather than letting the glue do its thing.

Removing a sewn patch from leather using heat is never a good idea because it leaves marks on the material that damages its appearance. You can try to use heat but the patch will take the finish of the material with it when it comes off. So, the best thing to do is to use a quality adhesive remover in this way:

Step 1: Buying a leather-safe adhesive remover

It helps to buy glue removers that are orange oil or xylene based. Also, get a liquid-based adhesive that can soak through the material. Adhesive removers that come in spray bottles are easier to use in this case.

Step 2: Expose The Part Below The Patch

Get the area below the patch exposed by turning your pants, t-shirt, hat, and the likes, inside out. If you have the patch on a bag, lay that out flat while keeping the upside down.

Step 3: Time To Put The Adhesive Remover

Pour or squirt the glue remover generously on the backside of your cloth. And make sure to pour enough to let it soak that part completely.

Get the entire area covered behind that patch. Then, get the remover in the fabric using a clean cloth or your fingers. Now, wait a minute to let the patch loosen.

How To Remove Iron On Patch Residue?

You might have removed the glue but there will still be a nasty patch left behind as residue. So, if you want your garment to look new and clean, you will have to fix this sticky part this way:

Step 1: Put Adhesive Remove Over The Residue

Pour some more of the adhesive remover or chemical solvent over the patch. Then, massage the solvent using a clear rag or your fingers to let it work for at least a minute or two.

It is also a good idea to make your own adhesive remover for this purpose. You need to mix two parts coconut oil, three parts of baking soda, and a couple of drops of an essential oil.

Step 2: Time To Wash Your Garment

Pour a bit of liquid detergent over the residue directly as a way of pre-treatment. Now if that residue is especially stubborn, try using a soft toothbrush to scrub it after working in the adhesive remover.

Now, wash the garment as you would normally. But do it soon to get the solvent removed because it might damage the fabric over time.

How To Remove Iron On Vinyl?

Whether you no longer like the vinyl or made a mistake while applying it, here is how you remove it:

Step 1: Turn The Iron To The Right Setting

You need to turn the iron to its hottest temperature as per the nature of the garment. Also, use the right heat setting if it’s a delicate material – no one wants to melt the cloth.

Step 2: Time To Start Ironing The Vinyl

Put the cloth over your iron in a way that the hot surface remains on the back of where you attached the vinyl. Of course, it usually means getting the iron inside the garment. But take care and don’t hurt yourself in the process. Now, place the unwanted area over the plate to start pulling the vinyl with your hand.

Step 3: Using Blades To Completely Remove The Vinyl

Use your knife, blade, or scissors in a sweeping motion and take off the vinyl. So, start at the top of the vinyl. You will notice that the vinyl is coming off in chunks. Keep at it and after a while the vinyl will start peeling off easily as it gets heated for a while.

At this point, you can keep using your scissors or get the tweezers for pulling the vinyl off. It will also keep your hands safe from burning, while the vinyl will come off smoothly.

Conclusion

In conclusion, removing iron-on patches doesn’t have to be a daunting task. Various household items like nail polish remover, a freezer, a hairdryer, vinegar, or warm water can make the job easy.

The key is to approach the task with care, preventing any damage to the fabric. Don’t forget to thoroughly clean the residual adhesive after removing the patch, ensuring a clean and tidy look.

Remember, every fabric is different, so the method that works best may vary. Always test a small, inconspicuous area first to avoid any potential damage to your garment.

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Jessica

I'm Jessica Flores, a professional fashion designer and an expert seamstress.

Crafting has always been a deep-seated passion of mine, one that has flourished and evolved over the years.

I've dedicated considerable time to both studying and practicing in the realm of fashion and sewing, amassing a wealth of experience and skills.

It brings me great joy to share these insights and experiences with you all, hoping to inspire and foster a similar passion for the art of sewing.

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