How to Remove Iron on Patches

For a new do-it-yourself crafter, the removal of iron-on patches is sometimes difficult. But, in the real sense, it’s pretty easy. Having the right tools at your disposal and a guide means nothing can stop you from removing those tough iron-on patches.

With that said, we have some very important tips to share with you that will prevent cloth damage from the heat removal process and keep your garments always looking their best. Don't worry about those sticky residues; we’ll reveal some tried and tested ways to eliminate them and achieve that smooth fabric finish.

Want to bid farewell to the patches and hello to a new look? If yes, then let's start with the basics.

Applying them is a pretty simple process too. Peel off the backing paper and iron the adhesive side onto a shirt, bag, or whatever cotton merchandise you may have. Press it into place with a hot iron set between 270°F and 300°F. The temperature settings would vary depending on your fabric. Please refer to the care tag on your item for further instructions. 

If you want to redesign your t-shirt patches, read on for information on how to iron on patches.

Let’s move on to how you can remove a patch with little to no damage to your garment. 

Find a flat, heat-resistant workspace where you will conduct your iron-on removal process. Clean it and dust off any dust or other impurities from its surface. Lay your item flat on the surface. Spread your item flat on the surface.

Now, take your heat gun and crank it to either low or medium. If you are using a hair dryer, put it in its highest heat setting. Now, turn on your source of heat, holding it two to three inches away from your patch. Because you want to apply heat on the adhesive without damaging your fabric, ensure you hover it all around the patch for about one to two minutes. 

The adhesive under the patch should be extra soft at this point. Take your blunt knife or tweezers and lift a corner gently to make sure. If so, peel it off gently to completely detach it from the fabric. Are you encountering some tough spots? No problem. Reapply the heat for a few more minutes and try peeling again. 

So you’ve removed your iron-on patch and there’s some remaining residue. Take your hair dryer or heat gun and focus the heat on the residue to make it softer for removal. Rub it off using a sponge or soft cloth once it softens. If it doesn’t, apply a limited amount of adhesive remover to your cloth and rub it consistently until it clears completely.

Easy, wasn't it? The next section is going to take you through different other ways you can weaken the adhesive on the patch.

White vinegar is also instrumental in removing iron-on patches on sturdy fabrics such as cotton. Take a pad and dip it into white vinegar; apply that to your patch and let it be there for 10-15 minutes. Using your fingers or the blunt side of a knife, you can now peel off the patch.

You might not know this, but you can use an acetone-based nail polish remover as a glue remover. Dip your polish remover on a cloth and let it sit for about two minutes.

Peel off the patch gently thereafter. Acetone is known to damage various dyes or fabrics. Use it sparingly or skip it completely and opt for the third alternative.

Turn your shirt inside out and, with a cotton ball saturated in rubbing alcohol, start dotting the back of the iron-on patch. In about fifteen minutes, the adhesive should begin to loosen, and you will find peeling easier. We would recommend trying out first with the alcohol on your shirt in a small area to avoid damaging the fabric.

All these methods work for most fabric types. However, the next section will help you understand how to remove patches on sensitive fabrics and provide newer removal methods. 

Treat delicate fabrics such as silk and satin with special care when trying to remove iron-on patches. You’re better off doing away with excessively hot tools such as an iron if you want to avoid damaging the fabric. So what should you do instead? Well, freeze your garment.

Place your silk item in a freezer and let it stay for up to two hours. Once your adhesive completely freezes, use your tweezers to peel away the patch gently. In case freezing backfires, that’s your queue to use a garment steamer. Ensure you use it at a relatively low setting of about 300°F or 148°C.

Synthetic fabrics include polyester, nylon, spandex, rayon, acrylic, etc. These types of fabrics are known to melt in the presence of high temperatures.

Use an iron with a low heat setting of about 230°F or 110°C (or lower) to remove the patch. Practice extra caution and cover the patch with a pressing cloth while ironing. Careful not to put too much pressure though. Iron for a couple of seconds at a time and keep checking to ensure the adhesive is becoming looser.

It also helps to leave the garment in indirect sunlight for a couple of hours. Doing so helps in the evening out of the color. DO NOT leave it exposed to sunlight for prolonged hours. The sun’s ultraviolet rays may induce further fading. 

Do you have a small hole you’d like to fix? Apply a small amount of fabric glue to the edges of the hole to give it a new lease on life. 

If you're doing this for the first time, there's a high chance that you'll damage your fabric in one way or another. Not to worry though. The helpful tips outlined above will help to steer you through the problems and become a professional in the craft. There is always an answer to your predicaments. If you have questions on the topic or if you'd like more guidance, we're here to help!