How to Remove Ironed on Letters | 3 Simple Methods

Got bored with the design of your t-shirt or have a new design idea? How about getting a plain T-shirt and turning your idea into reality? Perhaps you want to stick with the color and cozy feeling of your old t-shirt and search for a method to get rid of the bland letters or painting. If so, then you are in the right place!

There are 3 different methods to remove ironed-on letters from your garment and make it like a fresh, new cloth! You can use heat and steam, iron, or chemical solvents following easy instructions. Sit back and hop inside the article to know the details of how to remove ironed-on letters from your clothes.

How to Remove Ironed-on Letters – Effective Ways

Although there are 3 ways to remove the letterings, the base method and supplies are almost the same for every option. Make sure to follow the steps carefully to get the result you are looking for.

Method 1: Using Heat and Steam 

To remove the letters using heat and steam, the supplies you will need are a towel, sharp knife, steam iron or hairdryer, rubbing alcohol or adhesive remover, washing machine, and the cloth you want to remove the letters from. Once you’ve collected the items, it’s time for the real procedure, please follow the steps carefully. 

• The first thing you need to do is to check the care label to see if that garment can withstand high heat. Some fabrics can’t handle high heat, such as polyester will melt away. Do not use this method if your fabric can’t handle intense heat.
• If that cloth is suited, lay it on a heat-resistant flat surface, such as an ironing board.
• After that, place a towel, rug, or a thin piece of plywood inside the cloth to avoid damaging the other side of that garment.
• Turn on the hairdryer and set the hottest setting and then aim close to the letters. After a few minutes, the letters will become malleable.
• Instead of a hairdryer, you can also use a steam iron to apply heat to the letters. Use the highest settings and keep ironing over the letters. In both of these methods, the adhesive will be heated enough to remove the letters easily.
• The next step is to use a knife to scrape off the letters. Be patient and scrape the edge of the letters carefully and slowly. You may need to apply more heat to small segments and try scraping again.
• After a while, the majority of the letters will be removed, but there will be some residue of letters or adhesive left on the cloth. 
• Get rubbing alcohol or adhesive remover and check it on a tiny corner of the cloth to make sure it will not damage the garment. If you find it safe, then rub the residuals with the solution.
• The last thing is to wash the cloth normally and dry it to see a fine plain cloth.

Method 2: Using an Iron  

To remove letters from fabric using an iron, you will need a dry iron, or steamed iron with an empty water tank, a tweezer or sharp knife, and adhesive remover.

• Check the care label to ensure the cloth is iron safe and what is the safe temperature.
• Put the heated iron soleplate against the back of the lettering from inside the cloth. 
• As the garment heats, slowly peel off the lettering using a tweezer or knife.
• You can also put hot iron in the corner of the letters to see if the heat melts the letterings. If they melt, you can do quick strokes to burn off or peel the letters completely. 
• If the letters are made of vinyl, you have to put wax paper on the letters and then iron them. The letters will melt and stick to the wax paper and you can easily lift them up.
• In case there are adhesives left, use adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol if that cloth is suited to use. After that, wash the cloth and let it dry.

You can also check this video for a better understanding.

Method 3: Using Chemical Solvent

There is a specific type of chemical solvent to remove ironed-on letters. These solvents are readily available on the market. However, you can also use nail polish remover. You will also need a spray bottle, old cloth, sharp knife, rubbing alcohol or adhesive remover, and tumble dryer.

• First, put the garment in a tumble dryer on high heat for a couple of minutes because the heated adhesive will be easier to remove. 
• Take the cloth out of the dryer and put the chemical solvent in a corner to see if it will damage the garment or not.
• If the chemical won’t damage the fabric, put the solvent in a spray bottle.
• Spray the chemical solvent on the letters, and make sure the entire lettering is covered.
• Try stretching the fabric in a different direction as it will help the solvent get into the fabric. Then let it set for e few minutes. 
• Take an old cloth and keep rubbing the solvent into the fabric. You will see the lettering is lifting up. Continue rubbing to peel off the letterings.
• If there are any stubborn bits of letters, use your finger or a sharp knife to peel them off. And for glue residue, use a safe adhesive remover.
• Then wash the garment and dry it, you will be satisfied with the result.

Watch this video if you want to see how you can use a chemical solvent to remove the letters.

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

• How can I remove ironed-on labels from my clothing?

You will need iron and wax paper to remove labels. Put the wax paper on the label and keep ironing. Then use a tweezer to lift the label from the corner until it’s fully removed, if it’s not lifting up, use more heat. Use adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol to get rid of the residual glue.

• How hot iron should be for iron-on transfer?

The temperature you will need is about 300 degrees to iron-on letters or images. So, a little bit below the cotton setting on any iron works well for these kinds of work. Make sure you are using a dry iron or a steam iron with no water or steam.

Final Verdict

Now you know how to remove ironed-on letters from fabric, let your creativity run wild to change your style once in a while. However, do not forget about the safety of you and your clothes. Don’t put your hands very close to the iron and never use chemicals directly on the cloth without testing suitability.