Is Washi tape safe for walls?
Washi tape is safe for walls. It has a low tack adhesive property and is usually made from natural fibers such as bamboo making it easy to remove from most walls. Lift one corner of the tape and peel it off slowly for hassle-free removal.
This unique Japanese originating tape is lovely for many reasons. Besides the incredible patterns and colors washi tape comes in, it’s also usually made of natural fibers, so it’s more eco-friendly than other types of tape.
But the best part of washi tape is its low tack adhesive property which makes it easy to re-use and therefore cost-effective.
But what does washi tape do to your walls? Let’s find out.
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Is washi tape safe for walls?
Washi tape is safe for walls due to being made of thin natural materials and lower adhesive properties. The material is easier on walls than heavily processed tapes. Low tack adhesive used on washi tape makes it easy to remove, without leaving residue.
Washi tape has been trendy for several years now. It’s popular in college dorm rooms and rental apartments because it makes temporary decorating easy.
How often have you pulled away from the tape from your wall to find little pieces of paint chipped off or damaged your beloved posters and photos with an overly sticky adhesive?
Washi tape doesn’t do this, and here’s why.
Washi tape is usually made of natural materials. These include hemp and bamboo, making them less aggressive than synthetic tapes such as scotch, masking, and duct.
Further, washi tape’s adhesive is classified as low tack meaning it’s designed to be temporary and won’t pick up paint when pulled off.
Finally, washi tape is very thin compared to other types of tape, making it very easy to remove as it is no match for drywall or paint.
Will washi tape become unsafe for walls if left too long?
Washi tape left on a wall for a lengthy time is unlikely to damage your walls. The tape is designed to be easily removed through the low tack adhesive. Instead, Washi tape is more likely to fall off on it’s own and can easily be peeled off.
As discussed, washi tape is temporary and designed as such. So, you will notice it begin to curl up at the ends, or your posters and pictures will start to fall after a little while. You know it’s time to either re-stick or use new washi tape when this happens.
However, if your washi tape, for some reason, sticks very well for a long time, it is still unlikely it will damage your walls. In this case, we recommend using extra caution when removing it to ensure no damage is done. Pull it back very slowly and ensure nothing has been picked up before continuing to pull it off.
Does washi tape leave a residue on the wall?
The good news is that washi tape won’t leave residue on your surfaces except in very rare cases. As previously mentioned, washi tape is very thin and not intensely sticky, so it will come off in one piece without leaving anything behind.
Most commonly, tapes with intense adhesives will pick up flecks of paint or wood from the wall, but on occasion, tapes will do the opposite and leave residue on the wall instead. It can be a considerable inconvenience to remove the tape residue without damaging the wall when this happens.
Since Washi tape doesn’t use a strong adhesive, it won’t leave residue on your wall.
Why does washi tape have a lower adhesive property than other tapes?
Washi tape is primarily used as a temporary decorating aid, meaning it doesn’t require a strong adhesive. Heavier duty tapes require stronger adhesives to perform as designed.
For instance, duct tape is intended for construction, so it has heavy-duty adhesive. While scotch tape is meant to hold arts and crafts together so is also, comparatively, quite sticky.
Washi tape isn’t meant to hold on forever. Therefore, it leaves your walls fresh.
How to remove washi tape from the wall?
Removing washi tape from a wall is simple:
- Begin by flicking up one corner of the tape with your fingernail or another piece of paper. Be sure not to scrape the wall with whatever you’re using to flick up the corner.
- Once enough washi tape is raised for you to maintain a grip on it, you can start pulling it back slowly from the wall.
Now, you may be tempted to apply the “band-aid” method of ripping the tape away quickly. However, this is not the best practice with washi tape. Instead, pull the tape cautiously and slowly, ensuring nothing is being picked up from the wall.
Does Washi tape apply to all types of wall material?
Washi tape doesn’t apply to all types of walls. Concrete and wood are not very compatible with Washi tape. However, Washi tape may stick if the concrete or wood is coated.
How do you get Washi tape to stick to the wall?
You can get Washi tape to stick better to a wall by applying more pressure evenly. You can also use a spray adhesive to increase the stickiness of your Washi tape. However, increasing the stickiness may result in damage to your wall when the tape is removed.
Summary: Is Washi tape safe for walls?
As you can see, Washi tape is safe for walls. Its low adhesive quality makes temporary decorating easy and harmless for your walls. Leaving Washi tape on your wall for too long will more than likely result in the tape falling off.
The low adhesive also means Washi tape won’t leave a sticky residue on your wall. Other tapes with strong adhesive are more likely to damage walls and leave behind a residue.
Washi tape can be removed from walls by peeling back a corner. Slowly pull back the corner and the tape will peel right off. Avoid quickly pulling the tape off as doing so may damage the wall.
Unfortunately, Washi tape doesn’t stick well to wood or concrete. However, if the wood or concrete is coated (e.g. paint), then you shouldn’t have any problems adhering Washi tape.
You can make your Washi tape stick better by using a spray adhesive. However, the spray adhesive is more likely to damage your wall as it’s a stronger adhesive.