How do you separate postage stamps stuck to wax paper?

Answer 1

Soak in hot water, but this gets rid of the gum on the back. To partially preserve the gum you would need a lifter device sold at stamp shops. The device is essentially a humidor, a closed container that has a very humid environment. Another item that will sometimes work is to put them in the freezer. Once they've been in there for a couple hours, they can sometimes be separated.

Answer 2

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A better idea is to take whatever stamps are remaining to the Post Office (during slower periods) and ask the clerk for a refund. The Post Office can "guesstimate" the amount of stamps that remain and refund a percentage of the postage. This is a little used option for the customer and Post Office to help with this problem. Some Post Offices may request that you leave the stamps with them for a clerk/supervisor or Postmaster that is familiar with the procedure. With the advent of "pressure sensitive stamps" this option is seldom used and is probably unfamiliar to most Postal employees. But ask, and of course, be polite and expect some levels of confusion for both you and the Postal employee.

Answer 3

Hold the stamps with a pair of kitchen tongs,or similar long handled gripping device,in the steam from a boiling kettle for about a minute.They should then separate easily,dry on a towel using a warm flow of air. Collectors often use a humidity box, a small closed container with a sponge in it and a rack that prevents the stamps from touching the sponge. Sit somewhere overnight and they can be carefully separated. It is the same principle as the steam, only much slower and it is safer if you are dealing with collectible stamps that hot steam could affect. You can also try placing them in a freezer. It will sometimes allow the stamps to come apart without damage.

Answer 4

Put it in the freezer. This will harden the adhesive and allow you to get them off. The other option would be to soak them in water, but that will remove the glue.