Blu Tack is a staple in the home when you need a quick, no-fuss way to hang items. There’s no need to start drilling holes or drive nails into a wall; simply break off a blob of Blu Tack and stick it to the wall. However, it's not perfect; it can leave unsightly marks when removed.
Fortunately, this guide offers plenty of tips and tricks to help you remove marks and achieve a clean, blemish-free surface. Alternatively, you may try painting a ceiling or wall to conceal the mark.
However, this approach won’t always be effective if the preparation is poor and you select the wrong paint. Once again, you’ll find the answers here to prevent that from happening.
How to remove Blu Tack off walls
If you’ve got Blu Tack left on your wall after taking down posters, pictures and anything else, the Blu Tack often remains on the wall. Here, Alice O’Regan, Category Manager at Bostik UK (the makers of Blu Tack), reveals a few recommended ways to get rid of Blu Tack.
1. Remove Blu Tack with Blu Tack
O’Regan says, “The quickest and most effective way to remove Blu Tack from a wall is by using another blob of Blu Tack. For Blu Tack that has been there for a long period of time, we’d recommend not pulling at it. Instead, grab a fresh piece of Blu Tack, shape it into a ball and carefully roll it on the surface.”
If this leaves remaining bits of Blu Tack on the surface, she recommends, “Gently rolling or dabbing at these with a fresh piece of Blu Tack.”
2. Use a cleaner or lighter fuel
“If Blu Tack has been used on surfaces that are old, delicate or porous, you may notice marks are left behind,” shares O’Regan. “To remove these, our experts would recommend testing out chewing gum remover, a citrus-based cleaner, sugar soap or lighter fuel on the area.” Start with whatever you have to hand, probably a citrus-based cleaner, or if a keen DIYer, sugar soap.
But before you start, O’Regan says, “We would recommend testing on an inconspicuous area first.” She adds how to use your chosen product: “Apply a small amount of your chosen cleaning product to a piece of kitchen paper or a clean cloth and dab, not rub, at the affected area.”
She continues, “Then, with a dry piece of cloth or kitchen paper, dab gently at the area – this dissolves the oil in the Blu Tack and lifts the stain.”
3. Warm it up
When Blu Tack hardens over time, it can become more difficult to remove without damaging wallpaper or paint.
"Warming Blu Tack slightly can help soften it, making it easier to lift away from the wall. You can do this by rubbing it gently with your fingers or using a warm, dry cloth. Avoid using direct heat, as this can damage paint or plaster," says Kelly Moore, Founder of Cleaning with Meaning.
4. Try a natural solution
"For any remaining sticky marks, a gentle solution such as warm water with a small amount of castile soap can work well," says Kelly Moore.
"Alternatively, white vinegar or lemon juice diluted in warm water can be dabbed lightly onto the area to help lift the residue, followed by wiping with a clean, damp cloth. Always patch test first to protect the finish of the wall."
Try these tools to help remove Blu Tack marks
This set contains all you need to clean walls ready for paint. Includes a Bartoline ready-to-use sugar soap spray, gloves, scrubbing sponge and a crevice brush for hard-to-reach areas.
No one wants marks and stains seeping through paint. This popular stain blocker paint from Zinsser dries quickly and has great hiding power, making sure your top coat stays stain-free.
This 10-pack of all-purpose cleaning sponges will remove stubborn stains and marks from nearly all surfaces. Simply wet the sponge and start using straight away.
Alice O’Regan is Category Manager for stationery and repair at Bostik UK, the manufacturer of Blu Tack. Here, Alice reveals the best methods for removing Blu Tack from surfaces.
Kelly Moore is the Founder of Cleaning With Meaning, a Kent-based eco-cleaning business committed to delivering exceptional cleaning services without toxic chemicals or single-use plastics.
Why does Blu Tack mark walls?
Blu Tack contains mineral oil to help keep the rubber sticky and pliable, but unfortunately, this can leach out over time and create a stain or mark on absorbent surfaces, such as plaster walls or wallpaper.
Alice O’Regan points out where Blu Tack is best used, “It’s important to remember that Blu Tack works best on non-porous surfaces like vinyl-coated wallpaper, painted surfaces, glass and metal.”
She adds, “It’s best to avoid using Blu Tack on porous brickwork and absorbent or recently decorated surfaces such as silk-screen printed or hand-stencilled wallpapers.” It’s worth noting that Blu Tack will work on these surfaces, but its composition means it may leave marks. So be aware.
How to paint over blue tack stains
If you’re looking to paint over grease stains left by Blu Tack, you need to get your preparation right and choose a good stain-blocking paint to finish.
1. Remove residue and stain: The first step is to completely remove the Blu Tack and residue from your wall by following the steps above. Try to get as much off as you can, but don't worry if it's still slightly stained.
2. Prep the surface: Ensure the cleaned area is dry, then lightly rub it with a medium grade sandpaper. Remove the dust with a vacuum cleaner, then wipe the wall with a clean, dry cloth.
3. Paint the stain: Once your surface has been prepped, you can apply your stain-blocking paint, followed by your regular paint once it’s dry.
Kelly Moore concludes, "Blu Tack marks are very common, particularly in family homes and rental properties, and the key is to remove them gently so you do not damage the paint underneath."
Check out how to paint a wall and the best paint rollers for more decorating insight.
EDITOR’S NOTE: An earlier version of this article included a quote from a purported expert whose credentials we have not been able to verify. The quote has been removed. We regret this lapse in our verification process and have updated our internal protocols to reduce the risk of recurrence.
