How to remove scotch tape
Adhesive tape is a special product, which is also called Scotch tape. This is explained by the fact that this brand was the first to produce such products and supply them to the domestic market. The creators named the tape with the English word Scotch, which means "Scotchman".
In the last century in America, the Scots were considered stingy people, so when the first users began to complain about the small content of glue applied to cellophane, the manufacturer and decided to call his product Scotch. Then they began to apply more glue to the strips, and it became so much that because of it, nowadays many people puzzle over how to remove scotch marks from various surfaces.
Removing adhesive residue is extremely difficult, especially if you don't know some tricks. It is logical to assume that the ease of cleaning depends on the type of adhesive and the type of surfaces to which it was applied. Note that almost all types of tape are made with acrylic adhesive. This means that removal methods depend only on the type of materials that have contaminants on them.
Removing Scotch tape from plastic
In modern apartments, a huge number of plastic products are used: frames, household products, furnishings, toys for children, etc. To clean such surfaces from glue, it is required to assess the quality of the material itself. For expensive goods you can use more aggressive chemicals, while cheap products can be severely damaged by cleaning. It is worth considering the duration of contact, because it is extremely difficult to remove dirt from stale tape. But it is quite realistic, if you use simple improvised means:
vegetable oil;
an ordinary eraser;
gasoline or white spirit;
hair dryer.
Using oil
As strange as it may sound, the glue from scotch tape is perfectly eliminated with vegetable oil. The food product is mixed with the adhesive, which leads to a change in its structure. The oil should be poured directly on the contaminated areas or applied to a sponge and applied to the stains for 2-3 hours. As soon as there is a soaking of the adhesive mass, which has lost its properties, contaminants are easily removed with napkins, and it is desirable to wash the cleaned surfaces with a soap solution.
This method is considered very effective, and its only disadvantage is the impossibility of application to surfaces that are very difficult to clean from oil.
Eraser rubbing
School erasers work wonders as they can be used to remove traces of the most stale adhesive tapes. The dirt is easily removed like pencil marks, and then you just have to brush off the debris with a damp cloth. This method allows you to clean any plastic surfaces (electrical equipment, profiles of double-glazed windows, furniture, toys, etc.).
The main disadvantage of the method is the need to spend a lot of time and effort, especially when you need to clean a large area of surfaces.
Heating with a hair dryer
Stale adhesive residue is permanently embedded in plastic products, which is why you need to remove tape or protective films from newly purchased furniture and other goods as quickly as possible. But if due to the duration of contact and exposure to sunlight glue and plastic became one, you can heat the treated area with a simple hair dryer. Under the influence of heat there is a softening of the adhesive mass, so that in the future it can be easily removed by cleaning agents and detergents. Also, the use of a hair dryer is indispensable when removing traces of double-sided tape, because it has in its composition rubber and a number of foams, which are more difficult to remove because of the high density of the structure of molecules.
The only disadvantage of this method is the loss of decorative properties of some types of plastic due to the impact of increased temperature.
Removing tape from furniture
During the transportation of furniture disassembled elements are usually fixed with adhesive tape, and very often buyers fumble in attempts to clean the adhesive. Here you can use the same means that are used for cleaning plastic, but you need to take into account a number of differences:
Oil. With the help of vegetable oil remove glue stains from any polished or painted surfaces, except for areas of untreated wood, because the oil is quickly absorbed into it and will leave grease stains, from which it will be impossible to get rid of.
White spirit. Thanks to the gasoline solvent, you can remove glue residue from any furniture surface, even from clean wood that is not protected by varnishes or paints. In this case, it is extremely important to perform all actions as quickly as possible, so that the product does not dissolve the polish itself. This rule also applies to the processing of painted products.
Eraser. School erasers easily eliminate traces of adhesive tape and furniture, and you can preheat the contaminated areas with a hair dryer. It is extremely important to be attentive to the elimination of glue, so as not to damage the lacquered surfaces, preserving the attractive appearance of furnishings.
Removing scotch tape from household appliances
Very often people buy refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens and other types of household appliances, on which after transportation remain traces of tape from advertising stickers and adhesive pieces of protective film. Immediately note that reliable stores and salons of household appliances usually themselves offer buyers special liquids or pencils, with which the removal of adhesives is very quick and easy. If you are not offered them, you can use already known means:
acetone;
alcohol or vinegar;
glass cleaner.
These substances are also excellent for removing adhesive stains from glass, mirrors, ceramic surfaces and tiles.
The most effective remedy for removing scotch marks from household appliances is nail polish remover, which is available in almost every lady's purse or cosmetic bag. Gas stove, glass, tile - all this is easily cleaned with this means. If, in addition to the adhesive on the surface remained pieces of film, you can soak them with acetone for a few minutes, after which it is easy to remove the residue with a napkin. The only disadvantage of this means is the impossibility of application to tinted glass and careful use on metal surfaces.
To clean enameled appliances, you can use medical alcohol, vinegar or glass cleaner. Many housewives use this method to remove adhesive residue, as well as the adhesive tape itself. To do this, you need to apply the remedy to the spoiled areas of the surface of the devices, after which you also wipe the technique with a damp sponge or cloth. The disadvantages of the method include the difficulty of removing old stains, but this disadvantage is solved by heating the surface to be cleaned with a hair dryer for a few minutes.
Cleaning glass surfaces
Glass is a fairly resistant material, which allows it to be treated with chemicals and any other cleaning agents. Scotch tape from glass surfaces can be easily removed with vegetable oil, vinegar, alcohol, acetone or white spirit.
It is also easy to clean the glass from double-sided tape, which has been "intentionally" drying to the surface for a long time. To do this, you need to soak the adhesive layer by applying rag or cotton swabs, pre-moistened with acetone or alcohol. After holding the sponge for a few minutes, the glue is simply removed by simply wiping with a napkin. You can also use the same hair dryer to soften the glue.
Other cleaning products
Often people have the need to clean linoleum or other surfaces from traces of tape. If it was not possible to remove the glue with the help of improvised means (oil, eraser, alcohol, acetone), then in stores you can buy professional means that are specially designed for this purpose. There are also various cleaning liquids on the market, which are available in the assortment of many construction and car showrooms.
In addition, you can use a drill and a rubber nozzle. But this method is only effective for rough surfaces like metal, as soft parts can be easily damaged in case of lack of experience.