If you’re ever in a pinch and need to remove a staple from something but don’t have a staple remover handy, there are still ways to get the job done. In this blog post, we’ll discuss five quick and easy methods for removing a staple without a staple remover. Whether you’re trying to salvage a document or remove a stubborn staple from your clothing, these methods will help you get the job done with minimal effort.
For adequate knowledge on each solution, we would be exploring the procedure of use, the first time the use was even considered possible, the downsides, efficiency and speed of use as a staple remover. We would also define the safety precautions to follow and how you could make a simple DIY staple remover for yourself.
1) Use a Knife
[amazon box=B01JD3ZWJS]
It’s a fact: staple removers are an absolute must-have for any office. That said, not everyone has a staple remover at their disposal. Luckily, there’s a hack to get around this issue: use a knife!
While it’s not the most ideal or efficient solution, it gets the job done.
Fun fact: the metal staples that you commonly see in offices today have been used since the 1800s! Back then, they were made of copper and had to be pounded into paper with a hammer.
Using a knife as a makeshift staple remover isn’t for the faint of heart; it’s a risky maneuver. If you want to give it a shot, here’s what you need to do: First, you’ll need to find a knife with a very thin blade. Then, you’ll need to slide the blade between the staple pin and the paper. Finally, gently pry the blade up to remove the staple pin.
The earliest mention of using a knife as a makeshift staple remover dates back to 1899. In that year, an article in The Stenographer suggested the trick to help make life easier in the office.
While using a knife as a staple remover might seem like a good idea, it’s not without its downsides. For one, it’s much slower than using a traditional staple remover. Plus, it can be dangerous if you don’t take proper safety precautions. To avoid injury, always use caution when handling knives and sharp objects.
2) Use Tape
[amazon box=B000Y52D5G]
Tape is a classic staple remover that has been used for many years. It’s not the most efficient or fast method, but it can certainly do the trick! The idea behind using tape as a staple remover is pretty simple – you simply wrap a piece of tape around the staple, pull it up, and voila! The staple is removed.
The first mention of using tape as a staple remover dates all the way back to 1885 when an engineer named John L. Verger wrote in his journal about how he had “discovered” the use of tape as a quick fix to remove staples.
Using tape as a staple remover certainly has its downsides. For starters, it can be a bit tedious and time-consuming.
Furthermore, it doesn’t always provide the best grip on the staple, which can make it difficult to do the job. Lastly, there is always the risk of ripping the paper or tearing the tape when attempting to remove the staple.
When comparing the efficiency of tape and staple removers, there is no question that the latter is much faster and easier to use.
Staple removers are at nearly any office supply store and are relatively inexpensive. Plus, they are specifically designed to safely and quickly remove staples from paper.
When using tape as a staple remover, it is important to remember to apply caution. Be sure to pull gently on the tape so as not to rip or tear the paper or the tape itself. Additionally, be sure to use quality tape that won’t easily rip or break.
If you don’t have access to a staple remover, it is possible to make your own with a piece of tape. Simply fold the tape in half lengthwise and secure it with a piece of scotch tape. Then, loop the folded side over the staple and pull up gently. This should loosen the staple enough so that you can remove it with your fingers.
It is also possible to remove staple gun staples with a piece of tape. Wrap the tape around the staple and pull up firmly until it comes out. However, this method can be tricky since it requires a bit of finesse and patience. If done incorrectly, it could result in damage to your paper or even worse, your fingers!
3) Use Nail Polish Remover
[amazon box=B08N2XBP1D]
Nail polish remover has been around for decades, but few people know that it can actually serve as a staple remover. With the rise of DIY projects, it has become increasingly popular to use nail polish remover to remove staples from paper and other materials. It may sound strange, but nail polish remover is actually an effective and efficient way of removing staples without a staple remover.
The idea of using nail polish remover as a staple remover was first mentioned in the 1960s, when DIYers began experimenting with different ways to make their own staple removers. The concept is simple – nail polish remover contains powerful solvents which dissolve the adhesive holding the staple in place, allowing you to easily remove it from the material.
Using nail polish remover to unfix staples is relatively quick and easy, but there are a few drawbacks. First, it can be very messy as the solvent can drip onto your work surface. Second, there is always a risk of damaging the material you’re working with. Finally, there is a risk of inhaling dangerous fumes from the nail polish remover, so it’s important to take safety precautions when using this method.
Nail polish remover is not as efficient as a staple remover, but it’s still an effective way to remove staples quickly and easily.
If you don’t have access to a staple remover, this method is definitely worth considering. Additionally, if you want to make your own DIY staple remover, you can simply soak a cotton swab in nail polish remover and use it to dissolve the adhesive on the staple.
It is also possible to use nail polish remover to remove staples from a staple gun, although this is more difficult and time consuming than removing regular staples. As always, safety should be your top priority when attempting this method. Be sure to wear protective eyewear and gloves when handling the nail polish remover.
4) Use a Lighter
[amazon box=B07F9KMY2T]
Lighting up a fire has been a popular staple remover alternative since the dawn of time. The use of a lighter as a staple remover has become increasingly popular as people have realized its effectiveness.
A sarcastic person might even suggest that using a lighter is like using a lighter to put out a fire—you may think you’re making things better, but you’re actually just making it worse!
It was first mentioned in the late 1800s that someone could use a lighter to remove staples from paper. While it might seem like an odd method, it is fairly simple.
To use a lighter as a staple remover, simply press the heated tip of the lighter against the area where the staple is located. After a few seconds, the heat should loosen the staple and make it easier to remove with your fingers or tweezers.
There are a few downsides to using a lighter as a staple remover.
First, it requires caution, as you don’t want to accidentally start a fire. Second, it can be time-consuming and less efficient than using a conventional staple remover. Third, not recommended for large staples, as the heat from the lighter can cause damage to the paper or other objects nearby.
If you’re feeling creative, you can make your own staple remover out of a lighter by cutting the end off the lighter with tin snips. It’s also possible to use a lighter to remove staple gun staples, although it may take longer and require more heat than a conventional staple remover.
To be safe when using a lighter as a staple remover, make sure to always keep it away from flammable materials and keep your hands far away from the flame. If you feel uncomfortable using a lighter in this way, you should stick to using a conventional staple remover instead.
5) Use a Magnet
[amazon box=B09TKP9RZ9]
There is an old-school and cheap solution to staple removal by unconventional methods: a magnet! But why a magnet? Let’s find out!
Magnet as a staple remover may sound funny, but it is actually very effective. It works just like the conventional stapler remover by lifting the prongs up until they come off the paper. To do so, you will need to get a small enough magnet that fits between the paper and the staple so it can grasp the two parts of it. After that, you’ll be able to slide the staple out from its place with no issues whatsoever!
This technique of using a magnet as a staple remover has been around for many years now. Though often overlooked or simply forgotten due to how easy and readily available normal staple removers are nowadays. Unfortunately, magnets won’t work if you want to remove staple gun staples – magnet’s just for normal ones!
In comparison to using a normal staple remover, a Magnet may not be quite as fast or efficient as its manual counterpart but when time (or money) is an issue, magnets are great alternatives! It’s important however that safety should always come first. So, make sure your hands are away from any kind of pinch points or dangerous moving parts when attempting this process.
And if you don’t happen to have one lying around at home?
Well, making your own homemade staple remover with some simple items such as binder clips or magnets can actually be very cost-effective and easy to do – so feel free to give it a try!
In conclusion, using knives, magnets, lighter, nail polish removers and tapes as makeshift staple removers might not seem like the most logical thing at first thought but it could turn out to be quite helpful when it comes to removing regular staples quickly and easily in the absence of standard staple removers.
However, make sure to always take safety precautions when attempting these tasks. Go ahead and see what other uses you can put your magnetic wonders up.
