Ironing disaster....is this dress salvageable?

[Puppyinaflat]

Hi all, I'm hoping someone might be able to help me save a lovely dress I may have ruined with an ironing mistake.

I accidentally dropped the hot iron, but quickly retrieved it before it caused any damage to the carpet.

However, I then (like an idiot!!) immediately carried on ironing this dress without realising that the iron plate had some sort of melted black gunk on it..... which then (of course) transferred onto the lovely dress I was ironing.

The dress is a pale green polyester fabric. It's actually a brand new "occasion" dress, I was ironing it to sell it

I've washed the dress, but the gunk is still firmly fixed. I've tried softening up the gunk by heating it up by ironing over it (both with a damp cloth between the iron and the fabric and also directly onto the dress). Nothing. The gunk is still there.

I've googled and I can't find any answers.

Can anyone help? Many thanks

Oh no, op! I feel your pain. Have had a few incidents like this myself, but usually seem to be able to scrape residue off with my nails? I’ve got a bottle of ‘Goo Gone’ which I’ve never used on clothing, but it says it’s suitable. I have used it successfully to remove sticky price label gunk from things I’m giving as gifts! Don’t know if that might be any good?

Have you tried ironing the dress with some parchment paper between the dress and ironing. The sticky stuff should melt and stir j to the paper.

@watcherintherye

Oh no, op! I feel your pain. Have had a few incidents like this myself, but usually seem to be able to scrape residue off with my nails? I’ve got a bottle of ‘Goo Gone’ which I’ve never used on clothing, but it says it’s suitable. I have used it successfully to remove sticky price label gunk from things I’m giving as gifts! Don’t know if that might be any good?

Hi there, thanks for your reply. I'm liking the sound of "Goo Gone", I'll have a look for that!

I've tried the scraping with my nails and also a soft scourer (the type you get on washing-up sponges) but it's stuck fast.

Maybe try freezing the dress and then picking the gunk off?

@DingDongtheWitchisDrunk

Have you tried ironing the dress with some parchment paper between the dress and ironing. The sticky stuff should melt and stir j to the paper.

Hi there, thanks for replying. I've tried ironing it with a variety of different cloths between the iron and the dress fabric and nothing has worked so far. By "parchment paper" do you mean greaseproof paper?

@SoupDragon

Maybe try freezing the dress and then picking the gunk off?

Ooh, freezing! Now there's a thought! Thank you, I'll try it

It's a fix for chewing gum so might work. Plus it's free and easy!

Or you can try wrapping an ice cube in a thin piece of cotton and rubbing over the black stuff. I've had moderate success with that.

I used hand sanitizer rubbed into it and then rinse and repeat until all gone. Worked on a shirt.

@SoupDragon

It's a fix for chewing gum so might work. Plus it's free and easy!

I like free and easy

@Viviennemary

Or you can try wrapping an ice cube in a thin piece of cotton and rubbing over the black stuff. I've had moderate success with that.

Another great idea, I'll try that, thank you

@LunaAndHerMoonDragons

I used hand sanitizer rubbed into it and then rinse and repeat until all gone. Worked on a shirt.

I've certainly got plenty of hand sanitiser, so I'll try that if the freezing doesn't work. Thanks for the reply

If all else fails, try cutting it off carefully with a razor blade.

If you have electronics cleaner /solvent to hand (I know unlikely but you never know...) I have used that on clothes before with some success (try on a hidden bit first as it can melt some fabrics).

How about a shaver for removing bobbles from woollen jumpers?

Yes I meant baking paper. But having read the other ideas I think freezing sounds best.

@zurala

If all else fails, try cutting it off carefully with a razor blade.

It's absolutely welded on, so I don't think that would work. Mind you, it's not wearable / saleable as it is, so at this point, it doesn't really matter if I ruin it

@wellstopdoingitthen

If you have electronics cleaner /solvent to hand (I know unlikely but you never know...) I have used that on clothes before with some success (try on a hidden bit first as it can melt some fabrics).

I bet my partner (fixes computers for a living) will have something like this I could use. That's on the list of things to try, thank you (although I'll put it to the bottom of the list just in case it does melt the fabric!!)

@theladylovescupcakes

How about a shaver for removing bobbles from woollen jumpers?

I've tried that, but because the gunk is so welded onto/into the fabric, there's nothing to shave off.

@DingDongtheWitchisDrunk

Yes I meant baking paper. But having read the other ideas I think freezing sounds best.