Apply the caulk remover by squeezing a wide bead along the caulk line, completely covering it from end to end. Before using the acetone, test it on a small part of the material hidden along the underside. Pros use a utility knife or blade, … But with the arrival of COVID-19, the stakes are higher than ever. Keep in mind that the tool you use should have a fairly flat “blade” with a somewhat dull edge. Rinse away any residue with warm, soapy water and thoroughly dry the area before applying fresh caulking. This means that the hardened exterior caulk needs to be removed manually, by hand. Use the lowest heat setting to avoid melting the caulking as this can lead to more problems. When ready, the fabric should be very stiff and the caulk should be hard to the touch. Time for new caulk in your bathroom or kitchen? Try to scrape out as much of the caulk as you can. The longer you wait, the softer the old caulk gets, which makes your job even easier. Score it all around the window. TIP: Use isopropyl alcohol to soften water-based acrylic caulk. To use heat on any form of caulk, apply heat from a hair dryer on the lowest setting for 30 to 40 seconds. For more information on removing caulk, like how to remove caulk from a cloth, read on! The alcohol makes the molecules in the caulk swell so it gets soft and easier to remove. So before you begin, open a window or make sure the room is well-ventilated. Use a caulk remover tool to pry the caulk loose. Use paintbrush or foam brush too apply the bleach solution. Mineral spirits will soften it, but you'll probably have to accomplish the bulk of the removal by cutting the caulk with a sharp knife and pulling it off with pliers. The position of the utility knife matters a … You can apply a commercial caulk remover or soak the caulk with water-saturated rags for 72 hours. If you are dealing with non-acrylic water-based caulk, you can soak the caulk with saturated rags for 72 hours to soften the caulk effectively. Unlock staff-researched answers by supporting wikiHow, http://www.familyhandyman.com/tiling/how-to-remove-caulk-easily/view-all#step1, http://www.askthebuilder.com/caulk-removal/, http://www.homerepairtutor.com/easily-remove-silicone-caulk/, http://www.popularmechanics.com/home/improvement/interior/4213124, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0BMXqbuZwM, Please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Commercial caulk remover is the simplest choice and may be your best option for silicone caulk. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Remove-Caulk-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/v4-460px-Remove-Caulk-Step-1Bullet1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/9\/9a\/Remove-Caulk-Step-1Bullet1.jpg\/aid3491186-v4-728px-Remove-Caulk-Step-1Bullet1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"