There are ways to remove a security tag from clothing.

The different types of security tags and how to open them are outlined.

It happens to us all the time.When you buy an item of clothing, the store assistant forgets to remove the security tag, and you can't wear it with the tag still atttached!A friend of ours ordered something online from Macys and it arrived with a security tag.The customer service solution to bring it into the store and remove it doesn't work because our friend lives 100 miles away from Macys.

You need to know how to remove a security tag from clothes without ruining them.

These are usually secured with a pin.You can try a number of different methods without damaging the garment.

They have to be demagnetised to remove them.If you have a large magnet, this is possible.

If the label is opened with force, the mechanical tag with ink in a small glass tube will break.Since this security is expensive and also involves the risk that a large amount of goods will be spoiled if it is accidentally triggered, these types of security tags are rare.

Many ink tags have small coloured windows that show the ink or colored powder, but some don't.If in doubt, it is best to treat the tag as an ink tag, and follow the precautions outlined in the removal section below to protect the garment.

If you have not thrown away your receipt, you can ask the store if it is a tag.You can take a photo of the receipt and email it to customer service while you are on the phone, they are usually happy to give you the email address.If they have it, you can contact them via live chat and send them a photo of the receipt.It is not unknown for stores to use more than one type, so take a photo of the security tag so they can identify it.

If you can't take the garment back to the store, there are ways to remove security tags from clothes.

The security label can be attached to the cleaning label.If you are lucky, you can cut off the cleaning instructions with a pair of scissors.

If the label is attached to the sleeve, use nail scissors or a quickunpick sewing tool to cut the seam.After removing the label, sew the garment back together.The removal becomes more complex if the anti-theft protection is attached in a place that can't be cut open.

If the tag is a magnetised one, it is worth trying with a Magnet first.You need to prepare as if the tag is an ink tag since it's hard to tell with the naked eye what type of label it is.

The garment can be frozen for 24 hours.Take it out of the freezer after 24 hours.It is best to protect the garment from the powder if you think it is a colored powder tag.The best way to close the neck of the bag is to put the garment in a plastic bag.A rubber band is a good tool for removing tags.

This method for how to take off a security tag can be used with a second person.One person moves the magnet over the security label while the other tries to open it with pliers.

If you have a magnet, place the tag on the table and position the bottom side down on it.It's time to hear it click.The pin should come out if you manipulate it.

The garment can be frozen and protected with plastic.Add a second layer of foil to the plastic.To melt the top part of the cone, use a lighter or kitchen torch.It should take about 15 seconds.

Use a knife to remove the melted part of the cone.The first ball bearing should be popped out with the knife.Carefully remove the rest of the ball bearings.The others should pop out after the first one.There are two pieces of the security tag.The tag should come apart easily once the ball bearings are gone.

The security tag is probably a mechanical one if the experiment fails.You cannot do something here with mechanical force.

The pin is on the inside of your clothing next to the ink-cartridge part of the security tag.Wrap the rubber band around the pin.If the first rubber band doesn't pop the two pieces apart, add a second one.

Try breaking the plastic pieces with a hammer or vise if you want to open the tag without damaging the fabric.The larger the remains of the anti-theft device, the easier it is to remove it from the fabric.

You can remove the security tag by sawing through the remaining metal part with a hacksaw.Sometimes it's better to pull out the thinner part from the wider one with pliers.