When you peel off an adhesive-back sticker or label from a surface, you might be stuck with stubborn sticker residue. If you are tempted to scrape the spot with a putty knife or metal blade, don’t. Those tools can scratch the surface. Follow these tips to learn how to get sticker residue off glass, plastic, wood, and clothing using products you have around the house.
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How to Remove Sticker Residue
Remove as much of the sticker residue with your fingers as possible. Roll the sticky adhesive into balls with your fingertips and pluck them off. Then, follow any of the methods below.
With all these methods, test the surface in an inconspicuous area to make sure the technique doesn’t stain or cause other damage.
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Plastic Scraper
Use a plastic scraper, such as the edge of an old gift card or the blade of a plastic knife, to safely scrape the adhesive without scratching the surface of the object. This works well to get sticker residue off plastic or glass surfaces.
Hot Water
Put a few drops of dish detergent into a sink or container full of hot water and immerse the item (if practical) in the water to soak until the residue softens. Scrape away the gunk with a plastic scraper or your fingers.
Hairdryer
Using a hair dryer is one of the best methods for removing sticker residue. Aim a hair dryer at the sticker residue, turn it on, and allow the hot air to loosen the adhesive. Scrape to remove.
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Rubbing Alcohol or Vodka
Rubbing alcohol is an effective solvent that’s safe for most plastic, wood, and glass surfaces. Vodka is a good substitute. Wet a paper towel or clean cloth with rubbing alcohol, and rub the residue to lift it off. For stubborn stickers, place an alcohol-soaked cloth on the area and let it sit for several minutes to soften the residue. Use the cloth to rub off what’s left behind.
Peanut Butter
Apply peanut butter to wood, glass, or plastic surfaces by dabbing it on the spot and letting it sit until the sticker residue softens. Use a clean cloth to lift off the peanut butter and residue.
WD-40
The lubricant spray WD-40 ($7, The Home Depot) has a lot of uses throughout the home, and removing sticker residue is one of them. Spritz the solution onto the sticker spot and let it sit for several minutes. Then, use a rag to wipe away the residue.
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Canola Oil or Olive Oil
Applying cooking oil can help soften sticker residue. Scrape away the remainder with your fingers, a plastic scraper, or a plastic knife. You can also try rubbing with a clean rag. After the sticker residue has been removed, wipe away the excess oil.
Distilled White Vinegar
Soak a cloth or paper towel in vinegar and lay it across the sticky area. Let it soak for a few minutes to soften the residue, and then wipe or scrape to remove it.
Rubber Eraser
You can use a rubber eraser to remove sticker residue from most surfaces. The rubber surface rolls the residue away.
Commercial Cleaners
A few commercial products, such as Goo Gone ($6, Walmart), are formulated to remove sticker residue. Follow the manufacturer’s directions, but in most cases, you apply the product to the residue, let it sit, and then scrape or wipe with a cloth to remove it.
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How to Remove Sticker Residue from Clothing that Has Been Washed and Dried
To remove sticker residue from clothing, try to remove the residue as soon as possible, and don’t run the garment through your dryer. However, accidents happen, so if you’re dealing with dried-on sticker residue on clothing, try these methods. Remember to experiment on an inconspicuous spot first.
Removing Sticker Residue from Natural Fabric
You can get rid of sticker residue on clothing made of natural fibers by rubbing the spot with acetone (or nail polish remover) applied to a clean cloth. Wash and dry the item as you would normally.
Removing Sticker Residue from Synthetic Fabric
To get rid of sticker residue on clothing made of synthetics, place the item in the freezer for 45 to 90 minutes. Pull the clothing out and immediately pluck off as many of the hardened bits as possible. Then, moisten the spot with water, add a drop or two of mild dish soap, and rub the remainder of the sticker residue off using a microfiber cloth. Wash and dry the clothing item as you normally would.
Can You Use Toothpaste to Remove Sticker Residue?
Toothpaste works to remove sticker residue on some surfaces, but it shouldn’t be used on natural materials (like wood) or fabrics, as the ingredients in toothpaste may bleach the surface or leave behind stains. To use toothpaste to remove sticker residue from non-natural surfaces, avoid gel-based products, and (after testing in an inconspicuous spot) apply a small amount of toothpaste to the sticky residue. Wipe it away immediately while applying slight pressure.
