posted by Ahijoy on January 07, 2022

How To Get The Sticker Residue Off?

Stickers are a fun and easy way to embellish any smooth, hard and clean surface. They have a glossy appearance and look beautiful but there comes a time when you want to replace them with some other designs or remove them altogether. At times, you need to get rid of the sticker mentioning the price or the label from a surface and while doing so, a sticky residue is left behind that may get very stubborn and can be quite difficult to remove.

Some sticker residues do not get off even after excessive scraping and rubbing. Using a blade or knife on them can cause damage leaving scratch marks on the surface may it be glass, wood, or plastic. In this blog we will present some effective methods to remove sticker residue off different surfaces.

First of all, try to scrape off the glue with your fingers as much as you can. You can use a squeegee or a plastic knife. Remember to be gentle. Then follow the given methods below for the complete removal of any sticker residue.

Effective Remedies To Remove Stickers Residue From Different Surfaces

These super easy remedies have always been a great success in tough scenarios. Let's find out how you can get rid of sticker residue with things available at home.

Tape Off The Residue

We all have different types of tapes at home such as masking tape, Sellotape or duct tape. You can use these to remove sticker residue by putting them onto the gluey surface. The stickiness of the tape will pull off the residue to a considerable extent. This method can be used on all surfaces.

Freeze To Remove

If the sticker residue is on a surface that is small enough to be placed in the freezer, put it inside and leave for some time. Let it freeze. Later remove the residue easily with your hands. This works best on fabrics.

Grease It

Certain oils, such as baby oil, canola or olive oil also help remove the sticker residue. Pour some oil on the surface and rub it off with a plastic scraper. Make sure not to use this method on any surface that can absorb oil and leave a stain. This works best on hard, non-porous surfaces like metal or glass.

Be careful when using oils as they can stain absorbent materials like fabrics or wood. It is better to test on an inconspicuous part of the object first before proceeding with the process of removal.

Vinegar Wonder

You must have heard about different uses of vinegar but did you know that vinegar and warm water can remove stubborn sticky residue as well. Just pour the mixture on a piece of kitchen roll and leave it on the residue for five to ten minutes. Wipe it off or scrape it away with a squeegee or a credit card. This works extremely well on the plastic and glass surface.

Butter It Up

Peanut butter is a safe adhesive remover. The oils present in the peanut butter help remove the glue from most of the surfaces. Just apply some of it on the affected area and wipe it off after 5 minutes with a towel. This works wonders on plastic.

Rubbing Alcohol

You can use rubbing alcohol on the residue too. Just dip a piece of towel in the liquid and rub the surface with it. Nail paint remover also works the same way but it’s a little harsh alternative. This works best on all surfaces such as metal, glass and plastic.

Dish Washing Soap And Warm Water

You can dip the item in soapy water and wipe it off. If the residue is on something big then take a towel, dip it in soapy water and rub it against the glue.

Heat Application

Applying heat is a good way to loosen the adhesive in the residue. You can use your hairdryer for it. Aim it at the spot which needs to be cleaned. Once the residue is hot enough, scrape it off with a squeegee or a plastic knife.

The Rubber Eraser Trick

If you think your eraser can only rub off mistakes when you write with a pencil, you are wrong. Rub it on the sticker residue and it will take it off easily.

Citrus Based Cleaners

These do a wonderful job of removing sticker residue especially from a glass surface. Just spray some cleaner, let it saturate for 5 minutes then wipe it away. Clean the area with a damp cloth to remove any traces of the product.

Do It With Soda

Baking soda also helps remove sticker residue especially from glass, plastic and metal. Mix baking soda with some cooking oil and rub the mixture over the residue. Wipe it after some time. Later, wash it with warm water.

Mayo Magic

Mayonnaise is very effective on glass and metal. The oils from the mayo and vinegar help to break the bond of the adhesive. Simply apply the mixture to the area and wipe off until gone.

Separate With Spirits

Mineral spirits can be used to remove glue from metal surfaces. Take a cloth, dip it in spirit and rub it on the surface until clean.

There are some more amazing tips and tricks for you that will help remove the sticker residue!

Toothpaste can be used over glass and metal to remove the residue.
Acetone can help remove sticky glue from clothes.
Furniture polish works great on wood to remove the glue residue.

These were some of the ways you can try at home to remove the sticker residue from glass, plastic, wood, stainless steel and metallic surfaces. If these do not work, don’t worry. There are some commercial products available in the market as well to help get rid of it.

Using Commercial Substances To Remove Sticker Residue

There are many commercial removers available in the market to get rid of sticker residue. The most famous and commonly used is Goo Gone. It does the job quickly and easily. Let it rest on the residue for three to five minutes then wipe it off. Follow the instructions mentioned on the package. Turtle Wax sticker remover is another product that is highly used.

Another product that works wonders is WD-40. It is a multi-purpose lubricant that is used to remove rust from metal and fix squeaks and creaks in the hinges. It can easily remove sticker residue on glass, metal, plastic and other surfaces. Just spray some on the residue and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes. You will see the residue dissolving. Scrape it off afterwards then wipe the area with warm water.

Removing Residue From Glass, Plastic, Metal And Wood

We have given you so many options to remove sticker adhesive. A combination of these works best on any surface. Below are specific methods to try first to remove residue from glass, wood, metal and plastic surfaces.

Removing Sticker Residue From Glass

If there is a small item of glass from which you want to remove the sticker residue, here’s what you should do:

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Fill a small tub with hot water and add dishwashing soap to it.
Keep the glass in it for an hour or more. This will loosen the adhesive.
Remove the residue by gently scraping with a sponge.

Note: Be careful when handling glass especially when immersing it in hot water since it can get shattered.

Removing Sticker Residue From Metal

In order to remove residue from metal you have to take care not to scrub it a lot otherwise you might leave marks on it or buff it. Here’s what you can do:

Soak a cotton ball in baby oil. If you do not have it, you can also use canola or olive oil. The idea is to grease the affected area.
Gently scrub the surface till there is no residue left.
Once the purpose is achieved, clean the area with a paper towel to remove oil.
If the residue is stubborn and this does not work, use WD-40 in the same way.

Removing Sticker Residue From Wood

You can use oil with wood too but you have to be careful as it might damage it. Check an inconspicuous area first. The best way to remove residue on wood is the following:

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Heat the residue using a hairdryer.
Rub a hand cleaner formula available in the market on it.
When you feel that the area is perfectly clean, wipe it off with a soft towel or cloth.

Note: Toothpaste is a very good option for removing residue from wood as it does not harm it in any manner.

Removing Sticker Residue From Plastic

The best way to remove sticker residue from plastic is the following:

Add one tablespoon of dishwashing liquid in a cup of white vinegar and mix it.
Add the mixture to a small tub filled with hot water.
Submerge the plastic in it. The residue should be completely under water.
Leave it for half an hour.
Rub the residue off with your fingers.

Note: Be careful when using acetone or rubbing alcohol on plastic as it can damage it. Also, do not apply high heat from a hair dryer especially if the plastic is weak.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Final Verdict

While some of the products are already available at home, there are others you can buy commercially. Get your hands on the right one for the required surface and get started.