How to Remove Adhesive Tape Residue from Carpet

We’ve been getting more and more calls from people asking how to remove adhesive tape and covid distance floor markings from carpet.

This can be a bit tricky and sometimes it will require a couple of treatments. Even then, sometimes a ‘shadow’ may still remain on the carpet.

Also, the products that get the best results in removing adhesive tape from carpet will also cause secondary problems if the correct method is not followed.

Problems

As well as removing the adhesive, these products can also cause delamination of the carpet. Delamination is when the secondary backing of the carpet separates from the primary backing or the bottom of the carpet fibres. It will appear as wrinkles or bunching in the carpet. With carpet tiles it can result in them becoming unstuck from the ground.

So the product should be used sparingly and the process repeated a number of times, rather than flooding the carpet and causing delamination. You want to make sure that the product stays up in the carpet pile and doesn’t make its way down to the backing of the carpet.

Products

So what products should be used?

To remove adhesive tape markings from carpet you will need a low volatile water-linked solvent. There are a number of these on the market, most have petrochemicals, but there are some with D-limonene which is extracted from the skins of oranges instead. All of these solvents are quite pungent but a product with D-limonene has a more ‘natural’ smell than other solvents.

A local cleaning supplies company should be able to assist with what you need. Have a look at the bottle it comes in though as some of them may only be able to be poured out – which as we know should be avoided. You might need to also buy a spray bottle so you can apply it sparingly to the carpet – the black Canyon sprayer is solvent resistant so ask for one of these.

Process

Just remember it can be a time consuming process, especially if a lot of adhesive tape has been used on the carpet.

It’s recommended that the product is applied sparingly, allow some dwell time (around a few minutes), then use sufficient suction to vacuum it off. Be aware that the product can also cause damage to the components of some wet vacs.

Keep repeating this process until as much of the adhesive tape has been removed from the carpet as possible.

Once all the adhesive and the product has been removed from the carpet, then it’s time to rinse carefully and then to clean the carpet as normal.

Remember this entire process may need to be repeated again.

Cost

DIY – As you may have realised already, there are a number of bits and pieces that are needed to perform this process as safely and effectively as possible. Also, the solvents are quite expensive especially if you’re not buying in bulk.

Once you’ve hired the right carpet cleaning equipment, purchased solvents, cleaning chemicals, a specialised spray bottle as well as other consumables, it can be more cost effective to have a trained professional perform the work for you.

Having someone who is trained and qualified in carpet cleaning maintenance will also know about the different pitfalls that are specifically related to different carpet fibre types as well.

Our rates – If adhesive tape on your carpet is an issue and you’d like us to help solve the problem for you, feel free to contact us. All standard carpet cleaning prices are available on our website. The specialist treatment of the adhesive removal can be quoted on site as this will vary depending on the area of the carpet that is affected and the condition of the adhesive. We always endeavour to keep our prices as low as possible and we have a competitive pricing policy where we will match any qualified carpet cleaners like for like quote.

As always if you have any questions relating to removing adhesive tape from carpets or any other issues, please reach out to us, we’d love to help.

Share This

Related Posts