How to Remove an Iron-On Transfer From a T-shirt

Iron-on transfers add character and are a stylish way to dress up a basic t-shirt. They are also commonly used on sports uniforms. When a transfer has lost its appeal, repeat washings have damaged the image, or a uniform number or name needs to be changed, it can be removed with a little effort. There are three ways an iron-on image can be removed without ruining the fabric of the shirt.

Transfer-to-Paper Method

1. Heat an iron to the highest setting the material can withstand. Make sure the steam function is turned off.


2. Place a blank sheet of copy paper or thin cardboard on an ironing board. Be sure the paper is large enough to cover the entire iron-on transfer.


3. Turn the t-shirt inside out and lay on the piece of paper with the iron-on transfer touching the paper.


4. Iron the back-side of the t-shirt over the transfer. Continuously move the iron to prevent scorching the fabric. This step may take close to five minutes.


5. Gently lift the t-shirt from the paper. The transfer should be stuck to the paper.

Direct-Ironing Method

1. Heat an iron to the hottest setting that the fabric can tolerate. Turn the steam off.


2. Spray the iron-on transfer and the fabric surrounding the transfer thoroughly with water.


3. Place the hot iron directly on top of the transfer.


4. Move the iron in a circular motion across the entire iron-on transfer. The transfer will start to melt and form balls.


5. Use clear tape or a lint brush to remove the pieces of the transfer.

Solvent Method

1. Test a small area of the iron-on transfer with a cotton ball dipped in isopropyl alcohol. If the image dissolves or loosens, this method of removal will work to remove the transfer.


2. Rub the entire iron-on transfer with an alcohol soaked cotton ball until the whole transfer is loosened.


3. Heat an iron to the hottest setting allowable for the t-shirt. Turn steam function to off.


4. Place a piece of clean, white cotton fabric on the ironing board. Make sure the piece of cotton is of equal or larger size than the iron-on transfer.


5. Turn garment inside out and place transfer face-down on the cloth.


6. Iron the backside of the transfer until it adheres to the piece of cotton. This could take a few minutes.


7. Turn garment right-side out, and gently pull the piece of cloth away from the t-shirt.


8. Remove any remaining pieces of the transfer with a pair of tweezers.