Clean break from sticker residue
How annoying! You buy something new, and you can’t get the label off. Learn how to remove sticker residue in the article below, and then enjoy your purchase.
Removing price stickers and labels 101
Price stickers, labelling, decorative and commemorative stickers...there are many types of stickers and sticker glue. That being the case, there’s more than one way to remove sticker residue. We’ll present a series of methods you can try when you need to remove stickers.
Of course, some will peel away easily with just your fingers, but when they don’t, try the following methods.
Best way to remove stickers: Step by step
First of all, we want to try our best not to scratch or damage the surface we are removing the sticker from. Always try the least abrasive method first and gradually progress to more aggressive strategies if necessary.
To begin with, try removing the sticker by hand if possible, peeling off as much of the paper as you can.
If the label or sticker is tough to remove, try wetting it with some hot water. Once it has soaked through the paper, it should be easier to remove. Acetone or nail polish remover may work if water doesn’t do the trick.
Once you have removed as much of the label or sticker as you can, it’s time to get the sticker residue off.
If a razor blade is too sharp and likely to scratch the object you’re trying to clean, get out your wallet. No, you don’t have to buy a fancy tool…Just try using the edge of a credit card! They can be very effective scraping tools when it comes to removing price stickers and other labels.
How to get sticker residue off
Hot water and soap or detergent will remove sticker glue in many cases. Just soak the area and peel away or use a non-abrasive pad or cloth to wipe away the residue.
Sometimes heat will do the trick. Try blowing some hot air from a hair dryer on the spot and see if the glue starts to soften. If so, a plastic scraper may remove it.
Rubbing alcohol or denatured alcohol will also work well as a sticker remover. Once you’ve poured some rubbing alcohol on a cloth, leave it to soak on the area for a few minutes, and then scrub the residue away.
Other types of sticker glues respond to oils. Spray lubricants or even cooking oils like canola oil and olive oil may help to soften the glue for removal.
If you’ve tried the above methods and can’t seem to get sticker residue off an item, we recommend Loctite Glue Remover. This powerful formula will remove glue from badly bonded items and stained surfaces as well as decals, labels, price stickers, and sticker residue. It also works well on ink and marker pen stains, stained fabric, and (maybe most importantly) will separate fingers that have been accidentally stuck together!