How to Steam Paper Apart

Steaming paper apart might sound like something out of a novel, where jealous husbands and wives steam open each other's letters. While it might sound dramatic and theatrical, you really can use steam to gently pry apart pieces of paper that are stuck together. This can happen with certain types of paper in specific conditions. For example, certain types of photo paper stick together if you leave them on top of each other in a hot environment, such as in the trunk of a car. Prying them apart yourself will only result in tearing the paper; steam, on the other hand will all you to remove them safely.

Things You'll Need

• Kettle
• Clothes steamer
• Towels
• Heavy book

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Bring a kettle to boil on the stove. Alternatively, if you have a clothes steamer fill the basin with water and plug it in or turn it on.

   • 2

     Hold the papers stuck together over the flow of steam, once it becomes robust and constant. Turn the paper in a clockwise direction so the steam is able to penetrate all sides of the bond that has formed.

   • 3

     Remove the papers from the flow of steam once it has fully pried apart the papers. The papers will be slightly damp and curled. Sandwich each paper between two towels. Press a heavy book on top of them and leave them like that overnight.