How to remove a glued-in shirt label

You might try heating the label *very carefully* with a medium iron, and seeing if that will allow you to lift a corner then peel it off.

Or, try a variety of solvents/fingernail polish removers, etc.

Or, purchase a small length of satin ribbon *just* a bit wider than the label, and hand sew it over the label.

If none of that works, donate it....

Beverly

Would you put the iron directly on the label or put something, like a piece of paper, between the label and the iron?

I thought about that, but was afraid it would damage or discolor the fabric. I suppose I could test a small place on the shirttail. Is there one product that you would recommend?

-- Using Forte Agent 4.2

LOL! It's good that you have nothing more important to worry about :-)

Mary

snip snip snip

Mary,if label bothers you it's no fun. I get a bad rash from them because of whatever is in them. I understand the problem very well. I have great sympathy for the OP. I remove all label as soon as I'm sure a RTW fits. If I put a label in anything I make I try to put in on the outside in a spot that doesn't show or I just leave them off. Juno

I would have done too if that had been explained but it was said that they were 'annoying' - not the same thing at all.

Well, not in English English :-)

I'm genuinely sorry if I've caused offence ...

Mary

Mary, It takes a lot more than that to offend me. I was just pointing out that this person was being made uncomfortable. Perhaps that would have been a better way for the OP to express what was happening. Juno

"Better" clothes have the labels in the side seams. I hate labels in the back of the neck, poking and itching all the time. I'm a big fan of Gilda Radner's "I base my fashion taste on what doesn't itch." Works for me.

Me too.

Well, I didn't say that this is the #1 problem in my life, but I would like to get that label off. Is that OK? If you have any suggestions, I'd like to hear them.

Where do you buy your clothes? I have shorts from Polo, Brooks Brothers, Nordstrom, Macy*s, etc. They all have labels in the back. I have a PhD is label removing. I am a wizard with a seam picker! ;-)

I agree, but it eliminates a lot of clothes.

That's a great motto, I think I'll write that down in calligraphy and pin it to my wardrobe. ;-))

U.

I've just noticed it in some few of my clothes. I'd have to go through the closet to look for them, but I do know it was on pricier things bought in boutiques, not large stores.

The other thing I hate is that monofilament thread that invariably is cut so that the end pokes me in a tender place.

I have a sort of expanded variation on that -- I base my fashion taste on what I can put on and then forget about the rest of the day, meaning that I won't feel physically, mentally, or emotionally uncomfortable wearing it and won't have to check it throughout the day to make sure it hasn't shifted into something that is no longer reasonably flattering.

usually are.

The fabric sounds like a polyester, which is probably good news...somewhat indestructible to mild solvents. Likely it would melt if you applied enough iron heat to melt the label glue.

I would try a non-acetone nail polish. (Test a hem first.) Probably lay the shirt flat, label side down (on a protected surface like a sink) and apply the remover to saturate the fabric on the outside of the label. Wait a few minutes, then tease the corners to determine any progress.

Someone suggested sewing a patch on the skin side. You could also carefully cut the label and the fabric out of the shirt, then sew a slightly larger patch on the outside. (I've seen many shirts where the manufacturer is not content to make a profit only from the garment sale, but the wearer also has to become a billboard. A small piece of colorful fabric used in this fashion could be a nice design element.)

There's always re-gifting...

HTH

--Karen D. not responsible for any melted fabric!

labels usually are.

The label sewn into the shorttail says 60% cotton, 40% polyester. It also says machine wash cold, delicate cycle, no bleach, tumble dry low, low iron if needed, no fabric softener, do not dry clean.

Why no fabric softener?

It says low iron if needed. Could I try that first?

How about one of those products for removing stickers from jars, like Goof-Off or Gunk. I use them all the time for getting the price stickers off of things. I have had a couple of bad experiences where it softened the plastic, link on a DVD case.

Now you are messing with me...right?

I never buy or wear those.

That would get me in trouble...;-)

What? That leaves only me.

labels usually are.

Based on your recommendations... ;-)

I tested some Goof Off on the shirt tail. I soaked it good, let it sit for 10 minutes, washed it out with soap and water, then let it dry. No discoloration or other effects.

I then soaked the back of the label as you suggested. At first, the label didn't seem to be affected. I applied a little more Goof Off and also applied some directly on the label. I am not sure if the Goof Off dissolved the glue or the label itself, but it started getting soft. I couldn't peel it off, but a butter knife was effective at scraping it off. The label totally disintegrated, but it did come off.

I then rinsed the shirt and will pop it in the wash. It appears to have worked.

Thanks for the tip.

Lurfys Maw wrote: ...

Not at all! If there's something permanent on a garment, covering it up is an option. I feel your pain on the scratchy tags (yeah there are troubles in the world and life, but if it's possible to wear a scratch- free shirt, go for it).

I've sewn appliques and fabric patches over holes (designed or accidental) forever. Also: Added wide gussets to underarms and princessy side seams. Deconstructed a straight skirt, morphing it into an A-line one. Added pockets. Removed shoulder pads. Picked out elastic wrist casings and replaced with wide cuffs. Changed a hemline. Made long sleeves into short. Made a tailed shirt into a straight hem. Picked the tails off a patchwork shirt and added to side seams and shoulder tops. Etc. etc.

A home handyman I know says, "anything can be fixed." Glad that the citrus solvent did the trick. And if it leaves a mark on the center yoke back, you know what to do!

--Karen D.

Let us know how it is after you laundry it, please. I have two that were gifts I've never worn because of those glue-in tags. I will try the Goof Off, I just purchased a bottle last week. Emily

I did a quick manual wash in the sink with warm water and hand soap. After it dried off, I could not see any discoloration or any other ill effects. It did still have a very light smell of the Goof Off. I'll wash it in a few days when I have a full batch.