How to Remove Iron On Patches: 6 Easy Steps to Get the Job Done Right

How to remove iron on patches? Iron-on patches are an excellent way to DIY clothing, gear, and other accessories. Nonetheless, just cuz you put it on doesn’t mean you don’t wanna remove it or renew a top, fav’ jacket or any other accessory. The procedure of removing iron-on patches can be quite the hustle, as it necessitates correct tools and skills to not to damage your clothing.

If you’ve followed along by now, might as read the rest of the guide to get an idea of what may help.

Tools You’ll Need

Before you start, gather these essential tools for How to remove iron on patches:

Clothing Iron (must not be a steamer)
Thin fabric or Parchment paper
Blow-dryer (in case the iron is unavailable)
A pair of Tweezers or Extractor tools
Cloth-friendly glue remover (optional)
Rubbing alcohol (just in case)
Soft or microfiber fabric (for cleaning)
Cloth glue (in case of needs repair)
Sewing Needle and thread (for slight repairs)

Keeping everything ready beforehand, saves you from any haphazard like permanent damage to the cloth.

Step 1: Heat the Patch with an Iron

The most efficient and quick way to remove iron-on patches is by using heat. Here’s how:

Turn on the clothing iron and keep it on medium heat level. Make sure that the iron you’re using does not include a steamer, as it may interfere in the continuing procedure.
Place a thin fabric or parchment paper on top of the patch. This will avert any direct damage to the fabric from the heat of the iron.
Press the iron over the patch for about 15-20 seconds. The heat will unstiffen the glue on the back of the patch.
After heating, use tweezers to carefully peel off the patch. If it doesn’t come off easily, reapply heat for a few more seconds.
Once the patch is removed, check for any remaining adhesive. If necessary, apply a fabric-safe adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol to clean the fabric.

Step 2: Use a Blow-dryer as an Alternative Method

If you don’t have a clothing iron or wish a source with a controlled heat system so that both you and the fabric would be safe, a Blow-dryer can be a great substitute:

Set your blow-dryer to the hottest setting.
Hold it about 4 inches away from the patch and heat it for 30-40 seconds. You want the heat to penetrate and soften the adhesive.
Once the patch loosens, use a pair of tweezers or extractor tools to smoothly peel it off. If it still struggles, repeat the heat process for another 10-15 seconds.
After the cloth has been rid of the patch, you can use a soft or microfiber fabric with a bit of rubbing alcohol on it, to remove any glue remnants left behind.

Step 3: Tackle Stubborn Residue Glue

Even after removing the patch, some glue might remain on your fabric. To remove it, try the following steps:

Apply a fabric-safe adhesive remover to the sticky residue. You can follow the guide on the back of the product for any further steps.
For a more natural approach, use rubbing alcohol or acetone (test it on a small area first to ensure it doesn’t damage your fabric).
As told above, after the glue has relaxed use a soft fabric to softly rub away the remaining glue.
You can use a sewing needle and thread for any small damages left behind in the fabric

Step 4: Special Considerations for Delicate Fabrics

When working with delicate fabrics like silk, rayon, or polyester, extra caution is required:

Use a hairdryer instead of an iron to avoid direct heat that could cause fabric damage.
If you choose to use an iron, as told above placing a thin fabric or parchment paper can protect the cloth from any heat damages.
For fabrics that are more prone to heat damage, consider steam instead of direct contact with a hot iron.

Step 5: Can You Reuse Iron-On Patches?

Removing a patch doesn’t mean you have to throw it away. In fact, with careful removal, you can reuse iron-on patches:

For iron-on patches, carefully remove them without fraying or damaging the edges. After removing any adhesive, apply a fresh layer of heat-activated adhesive and reapply it.
Sewn-on patches can be reused as well. Just trim off any loose threads and re-sew them.

Step 6: Repairing Minor Damage After Patch Removal

Removing a patch from clothing can leave behind slight tears or holes in the fabric. Here’s what you should do:

Use cloth glue to repair any minor tears or loose threads.
If the fabric has been damaged more than a minor tear, you should to use a sewing needle and thread to repair it.

Conclusion

Learning how to remove iron-on patches doesn’t have to be a complicated task. By following the given guideline, you can rid of patches from your clothing, gear, or accessories minus the damage. Regardless if, you use a clothing iron or a blow-dryer, the important things is to use controlled heat and take your time to avoid damaging the fabric. You can reuse your patches and keep your clothing looking fresh.

How to remove iron on patches? Now you know!