Sticker residue can be a very annoying thing. When you buy a new item and remove the price tag, the area where the price tag was used will stick and can be difficult to remove. The method you choose will depend on the stickiness of the remaining sticker. For easy-to-remove sticker residue, you can scrub and scrape it off. Various household products, such as alcohol and vinegar are also very useful for removing sticker residue. As a last resort, you can soak the surface of the problem object to loosen the sticky residue on the sticker.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Rubbing, Pressing and Scraping
Step 1. Scrape off the sticker residue using scissors, a knife, or an old credit card
If you are using a sharp object, align the blade with the object's surface. If not, you can slice the surface of the object you want to clean. Just use a credit card so you can scrape off the sticker residue more freely without risking damaging the surface of the object.
- Be careful when using scissors or a knife on metal or glass surfaces, as these can scratch easily. Try another method to remove the sticker residue from the metal or glass.
- Make sure you scrape outward so you don't hurt yourself.
Step 2. Wrap the tape around your finger then press on the remaining sticker
Make sure the tape forms a tight ring around your index and middle fingers with the sticky side on the outside. Press your finger against the surface where the sticker remains and pull the finger away. The rest of the sticker will stick to the tape. Repeat this step until all the remaining stickers are removed.
If the stickiness of the tape is much reduced before the sticker residue is completely gone, you can either twist the loop of the tape or replace it with a new one.
Step 3. Use your fingers to roll the rest of the sticker into a ball
This will be more effective if the sticker residue is new and not too rubbery. Rub your finger along the rest of the sticker with constant pressure. The rest of the sticker will roll into a ball that you can lift off the surface easily.
Step 4. Scrub off the remaining sticker using a damp cloth
You can use a damp washcloth or wet tissue. Rub this material until the surface of the object is no longer sticky. You may need to let the surface dry first and then scrub it a few more times until the sticker residue is completely gone.
Method 2 of 3: Using Soapy Water and Vinegar
Step 1. Fill the container with soapy water
This method is especially suitable for objects such as glass jars, which can be immersed in water without being damaged. Choose a container that is large enough to hold the item you want to clean along with a few glasses of water. Mix dish soap with hot water in the container.
Do not fill the container to the brim so the water doesn't overflow when you put your item in it
Step 2. Soak the affected surface for 30 minutes
If using the sample in the form of a glass jar, make sure the sticker residue is completely submerged. Within 30 minutes, the sticker glue will dissolve and the residue will be easy to clean.
Step 3. Rub the surface of the object with soapy water
After soaking for 30 minutes, the remaining sticker that is still attached will be easily removed. Use a damp cloth or cloth to scrub the sticker residue clean.
Step 4. Use vinegar to scrub off the sticker residue
If the sticker is still stuck to it, add vinegar to the container you were soaking in. The sticker residue will soften after soaking, and can be easily removed with vinegar.
Do not use vinegar on stone, marble, aluminum, or cast iron. This can cause corrosion and damage to the surface of these objects
Method 3 of 3: Using Other Household Products
Step 1. Put on disposable gloves and protect your workspace
Some household products used in this method can irritate the skin. Make sure you wear rubber gloves to avoid this. If you want to clean off the sticker residue on the counter or counter, make sure the surface is covered with newspaper before you proceed.
Step 2. Choose the right material for the surface of the object you want to clean
The correct cleaning agent will depend on the surface you want to clean and the amount of sticker residue that is stuck to it. Do not use oil-containing materials on porous surfaces, and be careful when using corrosive agents (eg vinegar) on metal and stone. Some household items can be more effective than products specifically designed to remove sticker residue.
Step 3. Use rubbing alcohol on almost any surface
This is probably the best option because it doesn't leave any marks, dries quickly, and is the best material for removing sticky sticker residue. If you don't have alcohol, just use vodka (Russian liquor). Don't use sweet-tasting alcoholic drinks like rum, as these drinks also leave a sticky residue.
- Wet a rag or cloth with alcohol, then rub the surface with the sticker residue vigorously.
- After scrubbing for about 15 seconds, check the surface to see how much of the sticker remains. Continue scrubbing until the surface is clean of sticker residue.
Step 4. Use cooking oil for non-porous surfaces
Let the cooking oil soak into the sticky residue to make it easier to clean. Cooking oil is perfect for sensitive surfaces because it does not contain harsh chemicals. However, some objects can absorb oil and cause stains. Do not use on porous surfaces such as cloth or wood. If you're not sure, run the test in an out of sight location. If the cooking oil doesn't leave any residue, you can continue.
- Dip a tissue in the oil and place it on the surface where the sticker remains.
- Wait a few minutes for the oil to soak into the sticky residue.
- Remove the tissue, then scrape or rub off the sticker residue.
Step 5. Mix 2 tablespoons of cooking oil and 3 tablespoons of baking soda
Once mixed, the baking soda and cooking oil will form a paste that you can use to remove sticker residue from the surface. Rub this paste onto the remaining sticker with your fingers. The baking soda and oil will remove the sticker residue without scratching the surface of the object. Once the sticker residue has been removed, wipe off the remaining baking soda paste with a kitchen paper towel.
You can store leftover pasta in a plastic bag for later use
Step 6. Rub the sticker residue with vinegar
While this requires more effort than the alcohol method, you can clean the sticker residue more easily if you use vinegar. For a good solution, mix vinegar with a little water. Do not use vinegar on stone, marble, aluminum, or cast iron. Vinegar can damage these items.
- Dampen a cloth or rag with vinegar and rub vigorously on the surface where the sticker remains.
- After scrubbing for about 15 seconds, check the surface to see how much of the sticker remains. Continue scrubbing until the surface is clean of sticker residue.
Step 7. Apply peanut butter on the remaining sticker
It is a safe alternative to acidic products because the soft nature of peanut butter is perfect for removing sticky sticker residue. If you don't know what material to use for a particular surface, peanut butter is a safe choice.
- Apply peanut butter on the surface where the sticker remains and let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Wipe the peanut butter. Most of the sticker residue will come off with the peanut butter.
Step 8. Use a specialty product like Goo Gone
This product is specially designed for cleaning sticker residue. Although safe to use on many surfaces, this product tends to leave an oily residue.
Follow the instructions on the packaging. In addition to providing instructions for use, this product also provides information on what surfaces can be safely smeared with this product
Step 9. Remove sticker residue using mayonnaise
Mayonnaise contains oil and vinegar so it is perfect for removing sticker residue. However, do not use it on porous surfaces, such as wood, plastic, and fabrics, as they can stain.
- Spread mayonnaise on the remaining sticker.
- Rub the surface until the sticker residue is gone.
Tips
- You can also use some other cleaning agents such as WD-40, branded products (proprietary product), perfume or deodorant, nail polish remover (which does not contain oil), liquid fuel, etc. Keep in mind that the more ingredients a product contains, the more likely it is to leave marks on the surface of absorbent objects, such as plastic, cloth, and wood.
- A good scraper can be made of plastic, an old credit or ATM card, or a paint scraper made of plastic.
- Drop a small amount of nail polish remover on a tissue, then gently rub the area where the sticker remains. The remaining adhesive that is still attached will be easily removed.
- Cover metal surfaces with Tipp-Ex, then scrub with an eraser. The sticker residue will be lifted and can be removed until clean.
- Be careful when scraping off the sticker marks on the plastic surface. If rubbed continuously, the surface made of plastic can become soggy.
- If you don't know which product can safely be used on a surface you want to clean, try using soapy water first as this material is less likely to cause damage.
- Clorox stain remover is great for removing sticker residue.
Warning
- Always carry out the test in a hidden area in case your actions cause stains. In some cases, the surface of an object can be damaged or discolored if it is exposed to oil/alcohol, for example when you apply this material on some plastic surfaces.
- If you use a material that produces smoke, clean the sticker residue in a well-ventilated room.
- Handle flammable products in a proper manner.
