Sometimes, when you make shirts using heat transfer vinyl with your Cricut, the design doesn’t go onto your project smoothly. Crooked lettering looks so sloppy. Old projects, too, tend to get dated quickly and start begging for an update. Knowing how to remove heat transfer vinyl from a shirt or project can breathe new life into your botched or dated items.
What if we told you that you didn’t have to donate your old, outdated, or just plain weird clothes? And, that you could salvage your Cricut heat transfer vinyl projects gone awry.
You can remove heat transfer vinyl from a shirt with a little DIY magic using the same methods that attached them in the first place. Iron it back off, use a hairdryer, or purchase a chemical product to safely take off an unwanted vinyl design. There are a few methods you can try.
Let’s dive into a few techniques you can use to remove heat transfer vinyl from clothing, including chemical-based products that work well.
Always remember to use caution when using chemicals, and read every label carefully.
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How to remove Cricut HTV vinyl from a shirt
Cricut has made it easier than ever to create virtually any vinyl design, but sometimes your dream designs don’t totally work in your wardrobe. To learn how to remove Cricut vinyl from a shirt, try out these techniques below.
Method One: Use an iron
To remove HTV vinyl from your shirt, you’re going to use the same technique that got it there: your home iron.
To use an iron to remove heat transfer vinyl, place the shirt with the design facing up on an ironing board. Place a towel inside the shirt to protect it, and place wax paper over your design. Using a medium to high level of heat, press until the vinyl starts to melt and peel. Use tweezers to remove the design.
Peeling the design up can be a little fun, but we recommend tweezers while the vinyl is hot so you don’t burn yourself. And while working with HTV can be fun for kids, don’t include the young ones in this process, since they could hurt themselves.
Method Two: Steam the HTV off
Steaming is a great choice to remove Cricut vinyl from a shirt, and it’s very similar to the iron method.
To steam off heat transfer vinyl, place your shirt design-side-up on an ironing board, and slip a dry towel between the fabric to protect it. Place wax paper over the design. Take a damp rag and place it over the wax paper. Iron on high heat until the design begins to melt and peel. Use tweezers to remove it.
People like this method because the steam can help remove heat transfer vinyl from a shirt faster. Remember to be careful, as your wet rag will get very hot.
Method Three: Hairdryer
If getting out your ironing board feels like a lot, you can point your hairdryer at your shirt to remove the HTV, too.
To use a hairdryer to remove heat transfer vinyl, lay your shirt flat with the design facing up. Place a towel inside to protect your shirt. Using the hottest setting of your blow dryer, get close and blow the hot air onto your design.
Once the vinyl begins to melt and peel, use tweezers or a towel to remove the design.
This is a great method for removing heat transfer vinyl from a shirt gently and safely without chemicals, but if you’re ready, let’s get to some handy chemical products for removing HTV.
Best chemical removers for Cricut vinyl
A chemical remover can be a really great tool for helping you remove Cricut vinyl and heat transfer vinyl from a shirt or fabric. Just remember to research products thoroughly before you start any project.
Here’s a simple list of the best chemical removers for Cricut vinyl.
AlbaChem VLR
One of the best products on the market to remove heat transfer vinyl is AlbaChem’s VLR remover solution.
To use AlbaChem’s VLR remover solution, open the package according to the instructions, and use gloves. Flip the shirt inside out and apply drops to the back of the design. Let it sit and soak in, then tug at the shirt to begin peeling the design. Apply the chemical to a rag and rub to remove sticky residue.
AlbaChem is a staple at screenprinting trade shows, and we like this demo to show you step-by-step how the process works.
AlbaChem Vinyl LiftOff
Another great product for removing vinyl transfer from AlbaChem is LiftOff, a similar chemical solution that will allow you to correct mistakes with ease.
To use Vinyl LiftOff to remove Cricut vinyl and other heat transfer vinyl, turn your garment inside out and apply a few drops to the backside of the design you want to remove. Allow it to sit until you see the vinyl begin to peel. Remove the vinyl. Use the chemical on a rag to remove any sticky residue.
AlbaChem is the gold standard in the industry for a reason, and their products will work well while keeping your fabrics safe. However, there’s a household name that will work great to remove heat transfer vinyl from clothing, too.
Here’s another demo to show of the power of LiftOff:
Acetone
Whether you buy it at Home Depot or Ulta, acetone is a staple for paint removal projects. Before using any chemicals, especially ones not designed specifically to remove heat transfer vinyl from clothing, do thorough research on how the fabric and fibers will react to the chemical.
To prepare your shirt to remove HTV with acetone, heat it in the dryer for a few minutes first, inside out. Then, lie it flat on a work surface and apply acetone to the back of the design.
Wait a minute and check that the fabric is holding up. Do a few applications, then scrape off and peel up the design.
Always use chemicals in a well-ventilated area, and follow best practices according to the product labels.
Removing tagless labels
Love the shirt but hate the design? Irritated by tagless labels? Or are you a seller, and you prefer to remove an iron-on label and substitute your own?
To remove a tagless label or store-brand shirt design, take acetone or AlbaChem’s VLR remover solution and soak the design with it. Wait a few moments before applying a second and third coat. You may need to make multiple passes, but once the design begins to weaken, use tweezers or a rag to peel it off.
Many crafters, especially sellers, love to do this since it allows you to sell the shirt without another brand’s name on your product.
How to remove heat transfer vinyl adhesive residue
Once you get the vinyl off, you’re not done. Here’s how to remove HTV adhesive residue, or the “sticky stuff” that’s left behind, once the vinyl is gone.
To remove HTV adhesive residue, soak a rag with the acetone or chemical solution you used to remove the vinyl. Rub the sticky residue with the cloth until it disappears. If you plan to reuse the shirt for future projects, make sure to wash and dry the shirt thoroughly. New vinyl won’t stick otherwise.
Now that we’ve thoroughly discussed removing HTV and residue, let’s touch on some safety measures before diving into FAQs.
Using chemicals safely
Product labels will have thorough safety warnings and measures, but there are some general rules of thumb you can follow when using chemicals to keep yourself safe.
- Use in well-ventilated areas
- Wear gloves and eye protection
- Stay away from heat sources
- Wash hands after use
- Store chemicals properly
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about removing heat transfer vinyl and removing Cricut vinyl.
What does HTV stand for?
HTV, or heat transfer vinyl, is the shorthand crafters and makers use to talk about vinyl that can be applied to a surface using heat.
Will patterned vinyl come off my fabric?
Unlike solid-colored vinyl, patterned Cricut vinyl can sometimes be an issue when using chemical remover and will leave a stain. If you want to remove a patterned vinyl, try the heat method first.
Will Goo Gone remove heat transfer vinyl?
Goo Gone is a great last line of defense after you’ve tried ironing, steaming, and chemicals. Use Goo Gone – or even a little petrolatum like Vaseline! – to remove sticky residue from shirts.
How do you remove heat transfer vinyl from polyester?
Check the care tag and do some research to see what heat level polyester can withstand. If all else fails, use the AlbaChem solution specifically for removing HTV.
Where do you apply HTV remover?
With a chemical, always make sure your medium is applied to the back, or “sticky part” of the design.
How to remove heat transfer vinyl from a project – Final thoughts
What once felt like a permanent design is now an endlessly customizable wardrobe stable. And, the Cricut vinyl project you were about to throw away? Now you know exactly how to fix it so you can get that lettering perfect.
We hope you found our guide useful and easy to follow! Let us know in the comments which method you prefer.