Easy Ways to Remove Scotch Tape From Furniture

Preparation

• Before you try any method, prepare the area. Pull off as much of the tape as you can by hand and rub the area in a circular motion with a damp cloth to see how much of the backing can be rubbed free right off the bat. Before using heat or solvents on the furniture, test your method on an inconspicuous area, perhaps on the bottom or back of the piece, to make sure your solution does not cause more damage.
  
  

Heat and Rub

• Heat the tape and gently rub it with a clean, lint-free cloth. Aim a hair dryer at the tape for several minutes until the tape becomes gummy. Then rub vigorously in a circular motion with a lint-free cloth until all the tape residue is wiped free. You may have to repeat several times to get the tape gummy enough, depending on how long the tape has been there and how strongly it is stuck. Dampening the cloth gives better rubbing power.
  
  

Solvents

• Dissolving the tape residue with a solvent often works wonders. Test the solvent on a small, inconspicuous area of the furniture before you use it on a more noticeable part. Two solvents that work well for tape residue are plain old baby oil, which can be purchased at your local drug store, or Goo Gone, available at home and hardware stores. Apply the solvent directly to the residue, either with a spray bottle or by blotting with a cloth. Let it sit for several minutes, then rub it off. Repeat as necessary for stubborn glue.