How To Remove A Festival Wristband Without Cutting It

We’ve all been there. Whilst removing your festival wristband can really feel like the experience is over and it’s back to normal life, unfortunately it might have to go.

Whilst some choose to keep their wristband on permanently, many people work in an environment where it’s slightly inappropriate. And then there are hygiene factors to consider too (do you wipe your bum with that hand?!).

Of course, the easiest way to remove a festival wristband is to cut it off with scissors. But what if you want to keep it intact as a memento or display it as part of a collection?

Here’s how to get your festival wristband off without cutting it, whether it’s a plastic toggle or a metal one.

How To Remove A Plastic Toggle Festival Wristband

A plastic toggle typically has tiny spikes on the inside that allow the fabric to move through one way but not the other. In order to remove a festival wristband with a plastic toggle:

1. Take the two loose ends of the wristband fabric and hold them together
2. Twist them tightly to reduce the surface area of the fabric as much as possible
3. Wiggle the plastic toggle down the fabric towards the loose ends as if you were unscrewing it
4. Once you have wiggled it far enough down the fabric, you should now be able to pull your hand out keeping your wristband in tact

This method works for the majority of wristbands with a plastic toggle. However, if you still cannot get your wristband off then the next best solution is to cut the plastic using plyers or a strong cutting tool.

How To Remove A Metal Toggle Festival Wristband

A metal toggle wristband is slightly different due to the way it is closed on to the fabric. Whereas the plastic toggle closes the fabric simply by moving it towards the wrist, a metal one is typically closed shut using a press.

These are a little more difficult to remove than those with plastic toggles. There is one method using a plastic bag (covered in the next point), but this can be painful and not always effective.

With a metal toggle festival wristband, the best way to remove it is simply to prise open the clip so that the fabric can flow through. You can do this by using plyers or a flat head screwdriver.

BE CAREFUL: It is very important to be careful when using tools so close to your wrist. Avoid using sharp scissors or tools for this reason. Pliers are usually a lot safer but it’s always recommended to have a friend or family member help.

Using A Plastic Bag

There is a little hack you can use for removing your festival wristband using a plastic bag. However, if it is very tight on the wrist then it can be a little bit painful and might not always work.

The steps for removing a festival wristband using a plastic bag are:

1. Put your hand with the wristband on inside the plastic bag
2. Take the handles of the bag and pull them through the space between your wrist and the wristband
3. Grab both handles and pull towards your fingers with as much force as necessary
4. The wristband should begin to roll out over your hand and voila! Your wristband should now be off.

If none of these methods worked for you then the best solution is to find a way to break the clip so that the fabric comes out unscathed. If you want to wear it again (after washing of course) then you can find a new clip or paperclip to hold it in place.

And if you do need to resort to cutting the fabric with scissors then remember, a broken memento can’t ruin the amazing festival experience you’ve just had!

Photo credit: Don-vip