Double-sided tape can be used to secure carpet to the floor below, especially for things like area rugs, so learning how to get double-sided take off carpet can come in handy.
The best way to remove double-sided tape from the top of a carpet is to apply gentle heat to loosen the bond and then pull it away carefully, and the best way to get rid of tape from underneath a carpet is to apply adhesive remover carefully.
Let’s jump into these two methods so you can remove double-sided tape from your carpet no matter where it is stuck.
Method 1 – Tape Stuck On Top Of Carpet
The easiest way to get rid of tape on the top of carpet is to apply heat gently to loosen the adhesive.
There are some methods out there that suggest using dish soap and water, or even rubbing alcohol, which can work but are much slower than this method below.
1 – Apply Heat
The first step of this method is to apply gentle heat to the tape.
This can be done either with a hairdryer on a low setting or with an iron on a low setting with a sheet of paper placed between it and the tape. Start at the lowest setting possible, and warm the tape up gradually until it becomes loose and able to be pulled off.
Take this step very slowly, and if you notice a burning smell then stop immediately – remember you only need a small amount of heat to get into the adhesive to weaken it.
2- Gently Pull The Tape Off
Once the tape starts to become loose then gently pull it away.
The tape should pull away easily, and if it still feels stuck then apply more heat and try again.
3- Mix A Cleaning Solution To Remove The Remaining Residue
Once all the tape has been removed you will likely be left with adhesive residue on the carpet.
To remove this, we recommend using a mixture of equal parts distilled white vinegar to warm water, as needed for the amount of residue that needs to be removed. Distilled white vinegar is one of the best cleaning agents you can use and something that we advise for a lot of applications such as cleaning laminate flooring or getting rid of kinetic sand from carpet.
Simply mix up the solution in a spray bottle and apply it to the adhesive generously.
Leave it to rest for 10 to 15 minutes and then gently blot the area using a clean dishcloth.
4 – Allow To Dry
Leave the area to dry fully once the vinegar and water solution has been blotted and all of the tape residue should be gone. If there is still some left, repeat steps 3 and 4 until it is all removed.
Method 2 – Tape Stuck Underneath
Double-sided tape is commonly used to secure carpet to the floor and is one of our recommended products for achieving this.
Although this is a great way to keep your carpet in place, it can be difficult to remove the tape afterwards if you don’t know what you’re doing – so follow the steps below to get rid of any double-sided tape from beneath your carpet easily.
1 – Remove Tape By Hand
Start by gently removing any tape that is loose by hand.
You can start with this step because you aren’t risking pulling out any carpet fibers like you would if the tape was on top of the carpet.
2 – Carefully Apply Adhesive Removing Paste
Once you’ve removed all the tape that you can by hand, it’s time to use an adhesive remover to get rid of the rest. We recommend using a paste as it will be easier to target the tape without letting it run into the carpet backing.
For this step wear safety gear – ideally a mask, goggles, gloves and long clothes – but always consult the manufacturer guidelines first. Use an old toothbrush to gently apply the adhesive removing paste to the areas where the tape is stuck and leave it for 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the label.
3 – Remove The Tape Using A Plastic Scraper
Once the time is up use a plastic scraper to gently remove the adhesive remover and tape.
If there are any marks left behind, use a dishcloth to apply a solution of one part distilled white vinegar to one warm part water. Scrub any areas where there are marks left behind, rinsing the cloth regularly, to remove them.
Leave the carpet to dry afterwards and you shouldn’t be able to tell that any tape was used in the first place!
FAQs
We’ve rounded up some of the most common questions surrounding double-sided tape on carpets below – if you have any other questions you would like to see featured then please let us know.
Is It Harder To Remove If It Has Been Left For A Long Time?
Double-sided tape is more tricky to remove the longer it has been left.
This is because it will form a stronger bond with the carpet, and it will also likely get pressed into the fibers which will make it more difficult to remove. The secret to removing double-sided tape easily is to remove it as soon as you can.
Does Double-Sided Tape Damage Carpet?
Double-sided tape only causes damage to carpet if you remove it incorrectly.
For example, if you had double-sided tape stuck on top of your carpet and decided to remove it by hand straight away you would likely rip out some of the fibers along the way.
The secret to preventing damage is to remove it properly, rather than tearing it away without giving it a second thought.
Final Thoughts
We hope you have a good idea of how to get double-sided tape off carpet after reading this article.
Remember that the method to use depends on whether the tape is below or above the carpet, and always take your time when peeling the tape off to prevent damage to the carpet.
