Polo Shirt Stain Removal: How to Clean Adhesive Tape Stains
Adhesive tape stains can ruin the look of a favorite polo shirt. The good news is that these stains can be removed with right supplies and techniques.
Updated 20 Jun 2023
By Noemi Denker
Tape can leave behind a sticky residue on polo shirts, resulting in a stained, discolored and less-than-desirable appearance. But fear not! With some patience and elbow grease, adhesive tape stains can be removed from a polo shirt with relative ease.
What You’ll Need
- Clean cloth or towel
- Mild detergent or stain remover
- Distilled white vinegar
- Laundry detergent
- Soft-bristled brush
- Rubbing alcohol (optional)
- Hair dryer (optional)
Instructions
- Lay the affected area of the shirt down on top of a clean towel.
- Using a soft-bristled brush, gently scrub tape residue with mild detergent or stain remover.
- Mix equal parts distilled white vinegar and lukewarm water in a small bowl. Dip a clean cloth into the mixture and apply to adhesive tape stain.
- Leave it for a few minutes before scrubbing gently with the soft brush. Allow it to sit for an additional 5-10 minutes.
- Rinse the affected area with cold water, then apply a bit of laundry detergent to the stain.
- For extra tough stains, mix 1 part rubbing alcohol with 2 parts water. Apply to the stain with a clean cloth and allow solution to sit for 5 minutes.
- After solution has been sitting, use soft brush to scrub the stain before rinsing with cold water.
- If any adhesive residue remains, apply the hair dryer on the lowest heat setting to soften adhesive and rub off stain with a clean cloth.
- The final step is to wash your shirt in the washing machine on the gentle cycle.
Tips
- Always test a cleaning solution on a small hidden area of the polo shirt first, to make sure it does not cause damage to the fabric or dye.
- If the adhesive stain is still visible after the first attempt, repeat steps 2 through 8 until the stain is gone.
- Do not wring or twist shirt when removing the adhesive staining, as this may cause further damage.
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