How to Get Blu Tack Off Walls

Blu Tack is a multipurpose, pliable, puttylike adhesive that can be used like sticky tape to adhere things to each other. Getting Blu Tack off walls can be challenging if you aren't sure how to do it properly and may result in unwanted damage. Most walls are painted, paneled or wallpapered, and there are many different ways to remove the adhesive and the stains it may leave behind.

Blu Tack is made with oils that can leave marks that resemble grease stains. The product may also leave residue on walls. If there is any of that left, getting that extra Blu Tack off the walls can be as simple as gently rolling your fingers over it and gathering up the leftover blobs.

Alternatively, if you have any extra Blu Tack around, take a small piece and dab at the spot. It will adhere to the pieces. However, if the material is old and the wall is painted, it may pull off some of the paint. In this case, you will need to paint over it or hang a picture over the mark.

Blu Tack removes paint from walls because it is an adhesive and sticks to painted surfaces. Over time, the putty and the weight of what it is holding up can make the paint fall off. The paint might come right off because it is no longer stuck onto the plasterboard. Since Blu Tack gets stronger over time, it is never a good idea to pull it right off the wall. In order to get Blu Tack off walls without damaging them, first try softening the edges of the tack with a cleaner.

A citrus-based cleaner may be able to dissolve the Blu Tack and lift the stain. Apply it with a dampened sponge and then rinse the sponge and wipe the stain. You can buy a store-bought citrus cleaner or make your own by adding a few drops of dishwashing soap, white vinegar and lemon into a spray bottle filled with water.

Blu Tack is manufactured by Bostik. Bostik claims that its product is good for keeping phones and desk accessories adhered to surfaces, for holding up pictures and posters and for cleaning fabrics and keyboards. It is a synthetic, nontoxic rubber but should not be consumed, so keep it out of the reach of children and pets. It comes in orange, blue, green, pink and yellow and is made in Australia.

Never use Blu Tack on glass, vinyl-coated wallpaper or metal. Furthermore, using it on painted surfaces, porous brickwork or hand-stenciled or silk wallpaper is discouraged. Although citrus-based stain removers can remove the marks, if the stain is on an older, porous painted surface, you can try using some Sugar Soap.

Commercial Sugar Soap is made from sodium silicate, sodium phosphate and sodium carbonate (no sugar included). Get an empty spray bottle and pour in equal parts of white vinegar and water. Add 10 to 20 drops of a citrus essential oil. Mix gently and spray it on the stains – no rinsing is needed.