How to Remove Double-Sided Tape, According to Pro Cleaners

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Plus, the easiest ways to wipe up sticky residue once the tape is off

Co-authored by Dan Hickey Reviewed by Eduardo Peralta

Last Updated: October 18, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Walls & Doors
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• Glass
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• Other Surfaces
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• Removing Residue
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• Video
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• Q&A
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• Tips
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• Warnings

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Double-sided tape is a very useful product to have around the home, but successfully removing it can be a real problem. Thankfully, there are tons of DIY hacks and products you can use to remove it (and that pesky adhesive residue) from any surface! We spoke to house cleaning specialists to find out the best ways to remove double-sided tape from walls and doors, glass, and other household surfaces. Plus, we’ve got the easiest ways to wipe away any leftover residue so your surface looks clean as new.

How do you remove double-sided tape from walls?

House cleaning specialist Eduardo Peralta recommends using a citrus-based cleaner. Just apply the cleaner with a damp microfiber towel and rub in circular motions until the tape and adhesive residue come off, then air dry. Other methods include:

• Holding a hairdryer a few inches away from the tape so the hot hair softens the adhesive.
• Pressing masking tape onto the double-sided tape and peeling both strips away.
• Using commercial cleaning products like Goo Gone.
• Using a mix of vinegar, water, and dish soap to scrub away stubborn sticky residue after the tape is removed.

Steps

Section 1 of 4:

Removing Double-Sided Tape from Walls & Doors

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1. 
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   Remove stubborn, stuck-on tape with a hairdryer. Plug your hairdryer into the nearest power outlet and turn it on to a medium or high setting. Hold the hairdryer a few inches away from the tape and let the hot air blow over it, focusing on the edges and corners. This will cause the glue to soften. After a few minutes, set the hairdryer aside and try to pick at one of the corners of the tape with your fingernail. Most of the tape should come off, but you may need to take the hairdryer to it again.

   • If you have very short fingernails or don't want to ruin a nice manicure, then use a butter knife or a plastic card instead.
   • If you still have a thin film of residue, buff the surface with a scouring pad soaked with warm, soapy water. Avoid using oil or oil-based commercial cleansers.

   Meet the wikiHow Experts

   Eduardo Peralta is a house cleaning specialist and manager of Best Maid House Cleaning in San Jose, CA.

   Filip Boksa is a house cleaning professional and the founder and CEO of King of Maids in Chicago, IL.

   Raymond Chiu is a house cleaning professional and owner of Maid Sailors Cleaning Service in New York City, NY.

   Guy Peters is a house cleaning professional and the owner of MOP STARS Cleaning Service in Denver, CO.

   Ahmed Mezil is a cleaning specialist and the CEO of Hellamaid based in Southern Ontario, Canada.
2. 
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   Use masking tape to peel double-sided tape off non-painted walls or doors. Tear off a piece of masking tape and press it down firmly onto the top of the double-sided tape (keeping a firm grip on one corner of the masking tape). Slowly pull the masking tape towards you; it should also pull the double-sided tape along with it.

   • You can also use duct tape or scotch tape.
   • Know that using additional tape can potentially damage paint, so plan to use this method on non-painted walls or doors.
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3. 3
   Try a citrus-based cleaner for stubborn tape and residue. Peralta suggests using a “citrus-based cleaner and a lightly damp microfiber towel, then clean in a circular motion until [the tape] comes off. Pat dry, or let it dry by itself.”

   • On painted walls and doors, there’s always a small chance that cleaners may damage the paint. Peralta adds that “in some cases, if this fails, repainting would be best” after removing the tape or residue.
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Section 2 of 4:

Removing Double-Sided Tape from Glass

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1. 
   1
   Try to remove as much tape as possible by hand first. You can do this by picking at one of the corners with your fingernail. You can also use a butter knife, plastic card, or plastic scraper, but take care not to scratch the glass. “I wouldn’t recommend using a credit card, just in case something goes wrong,” warns house cleaning professional Guy Peters, “so instead try using a grocery store membership card or something similar.”

   • Still having trouble removing the tape? “For especially difficult residue, you may gently scrape it off with a straight razor as long as it is at a 45-degree angle,” shares house cleaning professional Filip Boksa.
   • If you’re worried about scratches, you can also try sliding a string of dental floss underneath a corner of the tape to loosen it enough to grab with your fingers.
   • Experiment with the angle you use to pull the tape away. Some tapes may work better when you pull at a 90-degree angle, while some lift more easily when you pull from a low angle closer to the surface.
2. 
   2
   Spray the tape with window cleaner and buff it away with circular motions. If you do not have any window cleaner, you can make your own by mixing together 2 cups (275 milliliters) of water, ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of vinegar, and a few drops of liquid soap. Then, buff the soaked area with a sponge using small, circular motions. This will help dislodge some of the stuck-on residue.

   • If your sponge has two sides (a soft side and an abrasive side), try using the scratchy side.
3. 
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   Consider using cooking oil and a glass-safe scrubbing sponge. If the glass cleaner or vinegar solution did not remove the tape, you will need to saturate it with some cooking oil (such as olive or canola oil) or a cleaning oil (such as Goo Gone or Goof Off). Spray the oil onto the affected area and buff it with the sponge until there is no more residue, then wipe the remaining oil away.

   • House cleaning professionals Claudia and Angelo Zimmerman add that “essential oils are a very effective and natural adhesive residue remover for non-painted surfaces such as metal, plastic, or glass.”
4. 
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   Clean the glass with some rubbing alcohol or acetone. “Surprisingly, you do not need very specialized cleaners to remove adhesive residue from glass,” shares Boksa. “To loosen it up, you must allow rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover to sit on the residue for one minute, then wipe it off with a disposable towel.” Rub the stuck tape or adhesive until you have removed all tape and oil residue.

   • Cleaning specialist Ahmed Mezil agrees, adding, “Rubbing alcohol does the trick. Some people use vodka, but anything that has above 70% alcohol [will work]. Add additional alcohol as needed to lift [the tape] up.”
   • If there is still some tape left, buff it again with a glass-safe scrubbing sponge soaked in oil, and then clean it again using rubbing alcohol. The rubbing oil will get rid of the oil residue and evaporate, leaving no marks.
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Section 3 of 4:

Removing Double-Sided Tape from Other Surfaces

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1. 
   1
   Use a hairdryer to remove tape from paper. “Heat can help loosen up adhesive residue, and you can try using a hair dryer on more sensitive items,” like paper, explains Peters. Plug in the hairdryer and turn it on. Using a medium or high heat setting, aim the nozzle at the tape and blow on it. After a few minutes, try to pry the tape off the surface using your fingernail. This is especially effective on paper.

   • Use caution when working with photographs, as the heat may damage them.
2. 
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   Try commercial residue cleaning products (but be cautious with plastic). Many products, such as Goo Gone and Goof Off, can effectively remove double-sided tape, but they can also warp or cloud plastic surfaces. If you choose to use one of these products on plastic, keep this in mind. Simply pour some of the product over the tape and let it soak for a few minutes, then pull the tape off. If the tape doesn't come off, then try scrubbing it with a scratchy sponge until it does. The chemicals in the fluid will have dissolved the sticky adhesive on the tape.

   • This will be most effective on glass and metal. Avoid using this on paper, cardboard, and fabrics as you will risk staining them.
3. 
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   Consider using food-grade oil for plastic. It will work similarly to commercial products, such as Goo Gone and Goof Off, but it won't contain any harmful chemicals, making it safer to use on sensitive surfaces such as plastic. Simply pour some oil onto the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes, then scrub it with a scouring pad. Then, wipe away the oil and residue with soapy water.

   • Do not use oil on paper, cardboard, and fabric surfaces, because it will stain them.
4. 
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   Try some acetone or nail polish remover on unpainted surfaces and fabrics. This will dissolve the adhesive in the tape, making it easier to remove. Like alcohol, it evaporates and leaves behind no residue. Unfortunately, it will also dissolve any paint and finishes as well, so it may not be the best product to use on delicate plastic or painted surfaces. Simply pour some acetone or nail polish remover onto the tape and let it soak for a few minutes before peeling the tape off. This will be the most effective on fabrics, as it won't stain.

   • This may work on paper and cardboard, but it may also cause the paper to warp and become wrinkled (as with any other liquid).
   • If you are using nail polish remover, try to use a basic one, without additives, such as vitamins and strengthening properties. Also, try to avoid colored nail polish removers, as they may stain your surface.
   • Peters warns that acetone “will quickly remove adhesive, but may not be good for all materials. For example, it may dissolve some plastics.”
5. 
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   Use rubbing alcohol on plastic and fabric. It will work just like acetone, but it is not as harsh; this means that it is less likely to remove paint or mar finishes. It also means that you may still see some residue and will have to scrub the leftover adhesive with a scouring pad. This will be effective on fabric surfaces.
6. 6
   Use acetone (nail polish remover) to remove tape and adhesive from wood. “Nail polish remover can do a surprisingly effective job on getting adhesive off wood,” explains house cleaning professional Raymond Chiu. “Gently apply the nail polish remover with a cotton ball to the adhesive and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. Then, use a scraper to lift the adhesive off the wood. Repeat the process as necessary until all the adhesive is off the wood.”

   • Chiu adds, “Be careful not to apply the nail polish remover directly on the wood, and have a dry, clean cloth in hand just to wipe away any excess liquid if necessary.”
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Section 4 of 4:

Removing Gunky Adhesive Residue

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1. 
   1
   Use oil to safely remove residue from plastic and glass. You can use a cooking oil, such as olive oil, mineral oil, or a cleaning oil, such as Goo Gone or Goof Off. Soak a cotton ball with some oil and rub it over the surface until the residue is gone. Soak another cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and rub it over the surface to clean off any oily residue.

   • If you are working on a large area and the surface is horizontal, you can pour some of the oil over the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes.
   • Do not use oil on unfinished wood or walls. It will soak into the surface and stain it.
2. 
   2
   Try using acetone on glass. Do not use acetone on painted surfaces, finished surfaces, or plastic. It will remove paint and can melt certain types of plastic. For light residue, soak a cotton ball with some acetone and rub it over the residue until it is all gone. For heavy residue, fill a spray bottle with some acetone and spray it over the affected area; let it sit for a few minutes before wiping it off until the residue is gone.

   • This method can be combined with the oil method.
   • Acetone is safe on most fabrics, but test it in an inconspicuous area first; it may cause some fabric dyes to bleed. Acetone will dissolve acetate fabrics.
3. 
   3
   Use rubbing alcohol to remove residue from any surface. It is safe to use on walls, plastic, finished and unfinished wood, fabric, and glass; it should not remove paint and finishes, but it may cause some fading. A higher percentage, such as 90%, will be the most effective, but for painted surfaces, you may want to use a lower percentage, such as 70%.

   • For smooth surfaces, soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and buff the affected area until the residue is gone.
   • For rougher surfaces, use a towel or cloth instead; this will prevent any fuzz from getting caught in the texture.
   • If the residue is really bad, fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and saturate the area. Leave the rubbing alcohol on the affected area for a few minutes, then wipe it off using a cloth or towel.
4. 4
   Use WD-40 to remove residue from any non-fabric, non-porous surface. WD-40 can break down and remove adhesive residue from plastic, metal, treated wood, ceramic, glass, and even stoneware. Spray or dab the WD-40 onto the sticky spot and let it sit for a few minutes (if it’s on a wall, you may need to hold a cloth dampened with WD-40 to the spot). Then, wipe the spot clean with a clean rag, water, and dish soap.
5. 
   5
   Try using vinegar, water, and dish soap on walls and doors. Mix 2 cups (275 milliliters) of water with ¼ cup (60 milliliters) of vinegar and a few drops of liquid soap. Dip a sponge into this solution, then scrub the affected area on your wall or door using small, circular motions. This cleansing solution is mild and should not remove most paint; however, you might see some fading.
6. 
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   Consider using a magic eraser to remove any residue. Peralta suggests “getting the magic eraser lightly damp with water and cleaning [the residue] away with circular motions.” Keep in mind that magic erasers are mildly abrasive, which makes them unsuitable for glass and highly polished surfaces, but they are safe for walls and doors; you may see some mild fading, however.

   • You can purchase magic erasers in the detergent section of a supermarket or hardware store.
7. 
   7
   Try rubbing the area with your finger or a rubber eraser. Some light residue can simply be rubbed away. The area may look a little dull; if this happens, simply wipe it clean with some rubbing alcohol.
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Community Q&A

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• Question

  I have double-sided tape stuck to a painted or varnished surface. What can I use to remove it?

  

  Community Answer

  Lower percentage rubbing alcohol, vinegar, oil, or a hair dryer can help. Avoid using acetone or nail polish remover; it will remove the varnish/paint.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  I used double sided tape to put an antenna on my window and now I can't get it off. What can I do?

  

  Community Answer

  Use one of those plastic holders for one-edged razor blades and scrape away as much as possible, keeping the blade at an angle so you don't scratch the glass. Then use isopropyl alcohol 91%, and a soft cloth, rubbing at the residue until it's gone. You can also use Vaseline instead of the alcohol. Use Windex to clean it up when you're finished.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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• Question

  How do I remove the clear sticky tape and sponge that was used for secondary film double glazing?

  

  Community Answer

  A quick way to do this would be the 'old fashion' way, with ammonia and baking soda.

  Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
  Thank you for your feedback.
  If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

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Tips

• Instead of using a hairdryer, try letting the sun do the job for about two hours.
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• Be aware that you may need to retouch painted surfaces afterward. Although most of the techniques outlined in this section are safe to use on walls and doors, they may still cause the paint to fade a little.
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Warnings

• Use commercial, oil-based cleansers, such as Goo Gone and Goof Off, with caution; they can ruin plastic surfaces and dissolve certain types of paint, including latex-based paint. Always test the product on an inconspicuous area first.
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