How to remove sticker residue

One of the questions our customer service team gets asked the most is: "how do I remove sticker residue". As much as everyone loves stickers, nobody likes sticker residue.

The great Vinny answered this question back in July 2020, but the questions keep coming. Here is a recap of the most foolproof ways to get rid of sticker residue.

Rubbing alcohol

Use an old washcloth to apply rubbing alcohol to the residue. It should break down easily and then you can wipe it away with a damp towel.

This technique is best for fabric and electronics.

Goo Gone

Goo Gone is specifically designed for removing adhesive. Just spray the residue and wipe with a towel.

Goo Gone is ideal for hard surfaces like glass, metal, plastic, and wood.

Peanut butter

Take a small dab with your finger and rub into the residue. The oils from the peanut butter will break apart the stickiness. This method is a little unconventional, but works (and tastes) great.

This also works for the same surfaces as Goo Gone. For a less tasty alternative, you can use other oil-based products like WD-40 or cooking oil.

Other products to use

If you’re short on any of the supplies above, you can also try other household products. Here's a comprehensive list:

For fabric

• Rubbing alcohol

• Nail polish remover (acetone-based)

• Freeze, then scrape off the residue

For electronics

• Rubbing alcohol

• Microfiber cloth with vinegar

For hard surfaces

• WD-40

• Goo Gone

• Cooking oil (coconut, olive, or vegetable)

For most other surfaces

• Soap and warm water

• Rubbing alcohol

• Hand sanitizer

• White vinegar

• Baking Soda Paste (mix baking soda with a little water, apply, let sit, and wipe off)

• Laundry detergent

Other techniques to try

If you’re still having trouble, here are a few more techniques you can try.

• To remove residue from glass products, try soaking them in warm, soapy water overnight.

• To remove residue from clothing, try scrubbing the residue with a toothbrush instead of a paper towel.

• For glass, wood, and walls, try heating the residue for no more than 30 seconds with a blow dryer and then scraping it off with a putty knife.

Once the residue is gone, you’ve got a perfect spot for a brand new sticker.

For more tips and detailed instructions, visit our other blog post about How to get sticker residue off shirts, laptops, and even cars.