If you have very short fingernails, or don’t want to ruin a nice manicure, then use a butter knife or pallet instead. If you still have a thin film of residue, you can buff the surface with a scouring pad soaked with warm, soapy water. Avoid using oil or oil-based commercial cleansers.
You can purchase magic erasers in the detergent section of a supermarket or hardware store.
Butter knife (you can also use your fingernail) Window cleaner Sponge and glass scrub Cooking oil or cleaning oil (mineral oil, Goo Gone, etc) Rubbing alcohol
If there is still some tape left, buff it again with a glass-safe scrubbing sponge soaked in oil, and then clean it again using rubbing alcohol. The rubbing oil will get rid of the oil residue and evaporate, leaving no marks.
Use caution when working with photographs, as the heat may damage them.
This will be most effective on glass. Avoid using this on paper, cardboard, and fabrics as you will risk staining them.
Do not use oil on paper, cardboard, and fabric surfaces, because it will stain them.
This may work on paper and cardboard, but it may also cause the paper to warp and become wrinkled (as with any other liquid). If you are using nail polish remover, try to use a basic one, without additives, such as vitamins and strengthening properties. Also, try to avoid colored nail polish removers, as they may stain your surface.
You can also use duct tape or scotch tape as well.
If you are working on a large area and the surface is horizontal, you can pour some of the oil over the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes. Do not use oil on unfinished wood or walls. It will soak into the surface and stain it.
This method can be combined with the oil method. Acetone is safe on most fabrics, but test it in an inconspicuous area first; it may cause some fabric dyes to bleed.
For smooth surfaces, soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol and buff the affected area until the residue is gone. For rougher surfaces, use a towel or cloth instead; this will prevent any fuzz from getting caught in the texture. If the residue is really bad, fill a spray bottle with rubbing alcohol and saturate the area. Leave the rubbing alcohol on the affected area for a few minutes, then wipe it off using a cloth or towel.
