How to Remove Silicone Sealant? – HomeRun Blog

Silicone is a building material with broad usage areas. Due to the durable and flexible structure, it's been widely preferred in repair and renovation works. However, silicone sealant needs renewal periodically, meaning you will also need cleaning of the old layers. Removing silicone from either the bathroom, wood, shower cabin, or your clothes is rather tricky. In the following guide, we explain how one can get rid of silicone sealant on different kinds of surfaces step by step.

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How to Remove Silicone Sealant from Surfaces?

Softening of Silicone Residues

The best way of removing silicone from any surface is by softening it first. This will make the next steps far easier. You can heat-soak the silicone by using a heat gun or by using a hair dryer. If the surface on which silicone was applied is sensitive, for instance, is made of fabric or wood, make sure not to overheat that surface.

Wiping or Scraping

Once it has softened, the silicone can be gently wiped away with a damp cloth or scraped off. On metal or glass, a plastic scraper or razor blade may serve to remove stubborn residues. Avoid using metal tools on delicate surfaces as they might damage it.

Chemical Silicone Solvents

For cases where the silicone is hard to remove, the use of a chemical solvent will be very effective. You must ensure that you have chosen the best silicone remover corresponding to the type of material to be cleaned. There is a big difference in the types of silicone removal solvents,  some are for removal of silicone from metal and others for removing it from wood or glass.

Finishing with Silicone Cleaning Tools

After scratching and using solvents, still, some silicone can remain. For this, special tools for cleaning silicone can be used. These will definitely help get to all the nitty-gritty of the surfaces so that no residues are left behind. Also, all surfaces will be shiny and smooth after being treated.

How to Clean Shower Cabin Silicone?

The shower cabins are one of the most common places where silicon is applied. Water and steam exposure cause quick deterioration of silicone. When cleaning a shower cabin from silicone, soften it with heating first. Then, remove the softened silicone by scraping it and apply a suitable solvent. Make sure the cabin is well ventilated in order not to inhale any fumes of the silicone remover.

How to Clean Silicone on Glass Surface?

While cleaning the glass surface from silicone, you must handle it with care as it is prone to scratches. First of all, soften the silicone either with heat application or apply a remover. Then, pick up the silicone from the surface with the help of a plastic scraper. If there is any residue left behind, apply a glass-safe silicone remover on the area and clean it gently.

Removing Silicone from Wood Surfaces

Since wood is a sensitive surface, care should be taken when removing silicone. Apply heat to the silicone using a mild heat source, taking care to avoid scalding the wood. Next, take a plastic scraper and gently pry the silicone off. If necessary, apply a limited amount of solvent designed for wood. Finally, clean the surface by wiping with a moistened cloth.

How to Remove Silicone Stains from Clothes?

Stains on clothes are stubborn and hard to deal with; well, they aren't impossible. Here is how you battle those stubborn stains.

Freeze Silicone Stains

Freezing silicone is a good technique to harden it, which in turn can be easily scraped off. Put the stained cloth in the freezer for hours. Take out when it has turned solid and scrape it with any blunt tool or even with your fingernail.

Scraping Silicone

This hardened silicone is generally peeled off easily after it has frozen. Be careful not to stretch the fabric when peeling off. This works best on fresh silicone stains.

Choosing the Right Type of Solvent for the Stain

Different textiles will require different solvents. For heavier stains, you can try a silicone remover or even a solvent engineered to break down silicone glue or silicone lubricant. Always apply a tiny amount of the solvent first to a small part of the fabric that is not visible to make sure that it will not cause any damage.

How to Apply Solvent on Stain

Dip a soft cloth in the solvent and apply it to the stain. Allow the solvent to set on the stain for a few minutes to degrade the silicone. Then, blot or scrape the area gently to remove the silicone from the fabric.

Hot Water and Detergent Cleaning

After you have removed most of the silicone, wash the textile in hot water with detergent. This will further take out the residuals of the silicone and the solvent. For stubborn stains, this can be repeated or a more aggressive cleaning agent can be used.

Whether it's silicone scar removal sheets or wondering how to take off the silicone glue from clothes, these methods will assist in removing silicone without causing further damage to the underlying surface. To achieve the best performance, a proper selection of a suitable silicone remover and cleaning method should be considered, depending on the material.

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