Are you the person who loves to reuse jam jars or other containers after peeling off the sticker?
Do you also not like stickers on the kitchenware? Don’t worry, as most people do this. But with all these jars and kitchenware, you struggle to remove the stubborn residue after peeling or stripping off the sticker. The struggle is so real that sometimes, people start using these items with the residue on.
In this blog, we are going to learn the 10 best ways to get rid of sticker residue from glass jars, kitchenware, or any other surface. Let's get started!
We took different surfaces, including the white plates with stickers, glass (jars and windows), stainless steel, and wood. We tested the suitable methods for each surface to check how it turns out. After this, we rated each method on a scale of 1 to 5 to recommend the best methods for the specific surfaces.
We tried every possible method for sticker removal so that you don’t have to. Follow our recommendations, and no stubborn sticker residue will ruin your mood.
Before you start removing the sticker residue, it’s better to gather the materials you will need. Otherwise, you will have to discontinue the procedure, so get the material you need. This will waste a lot of time, so it’s better to make sure everything needed is within your access. Gather the following things:
Here are the 10 best methods to remove sticker residue
Peanut Butter
Goo Gone
Baking Soda
Hair Dryer and Blow Dryer
Cooking and Coconut Oil
Sticker Removal With WD-40
Isopropyl Alcohol
Vinegar
Warm Water
Commercial Products (Pink Stuff, Goof Off, Goo Gone, and Sticky Stuff Remover)
Except for the commercial products, all the mentioned items can be found in your kitchen.
Once you have gathered all the above-mentioned things, you are ready to try these methods. Firstly, let’s explore different methods one by one. We tested all these methods and gave them a rating out of 5. This will help you to decide which one you should use.
Peanut butter for residue removal, you might be surprised, aren’t you? It is actually a very effective option to remove the stubborn residue. The natural oils in this material break down the adhesive. Follow the given instructions to get rid of residue:
1. Take a small amount of non-crunchy peanut butter and spread it over the residue.
2. Let it stay for 10 to 30 minutes over the sticker stain. This time depends on how stubborn the adhesive is.
3. Now, take a soft cloth to gently rub the target area in circular motion.
4. Wipe with a clean and damp cloth.
5. Rinse the surface with the water and the liquid wash to ensure no particles or adhesive remain on the surface.
Time: This process takes 10 to 30 minutes to remove the residue.
Rating: I rate this method 4/5 for porous surfaces like plastic and glass.
Pro Tip
"Avoid using them on non-porous surfaces as the oils in the peanut butter can leave stains difficult to clean."
Goo Gone is a ready-made solution designed for the convenience of removing adhesive from the walls and vertical spaces. It sticks to the sticky mess and does not slide over it, and also ensures the underneath surface remains unaffected. Use Goo Gone to make the sticker residue a thing of the past as follows:
1. Spray Goo Gone on the sticker or on its residue.
2. Wait 1 to 3 minutes until the adhesive starts breaking down.
3. Once it breaks down, rinse with hot water.
4. Use a fingernail to remove the adhesive on fragile surfaces like a laptop screen or computer screen.
Time: This process takes 5 to 10 minutes, depending on how sticky the residue is.
Rating: We rated this process 2/5 as it helped remove the stubborn residue. We do not highly recommend this because it requires repetition of the same steps. Use this method for non-food vessels that you can wash with a liquid wash afterwards.
Pro Tip
"Once you are done with this process, wear gloves to scrape the remaining residue with a putty knife, plastic scraper, or your fingernail."
The baking soda and cooking oil/coconut oil paste is a gentle way to simply make the residue leave its place. You can find the ingredients easily in your kitchen to make this paste. You can make this paste in the following way:
1. Mix a small amount of cooking oil (coconut oil) with the baking soda and water.
2. Apply this thick paste to the area you want to remove the residue from.
3. Let this paste sit for 5 to 10 minutes on the residue.
Note
The stubborn areas might take more time.
4. Now use a soft-bristled brush or a soft cloth to wipe this mixture.
5. Now take a damp cloth to wipe clean and let it dry.
Time: It takes a minimum of 15 minutes or more to get results from this method. The time depends on how hard the residue is to remove from its place.
Rating: We rated this method as 3/5 because we were able to get rid of the stickers in 30 minutes. At the end, we used a scraper so that the remaining residue could be removed.
If you don’t want a solution for removing the residue that creates mess, try the hair dryer or blow dryer method. This method is clean and does not create any kind of mess like other methods. To apply this method, follow these steps:
1. Turn on the hair dryer and set it to the low or medium heat.
2. Above a few inches of the sticker residue, hold the blow dryer to heat the targeted area for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
3. The adhesive will be softened, so you will have to scrape it out with a plastic scraper or fingers.
4. Rub the remaining residue with alcohol or liquid wash to clean the area.
5. Wipe with a clean and damp cloth and dry the surface.
Time: This method takes only three minutes to do the job.
Rating: This method must be rated 2/5 because it was not enough alone. This method was the cleanest method I tried, but it is effective only if followed by the peanut butter method.
WD-40 is a petroleum-based lubricant that you can also use to remove the stickers with adhesive from the surface. You need to perform the following steps to remove the sticker:
1. Spray a small amount of this lubricant on the targeted area.
2. Leave it for 3 minutes on the surface.
3. Clean the area thoroughly to ensure there is no long-term residue or surface damage.
Time: This method takes only 3 minutes to get rid of the stubborn sticky adhesive.
Rating: This method, in terms of effectiveness, must be rated 4/5. We applied the WD-40 lubricant directly over the sticker. We waited for three minutes until the sticker was easily scraped off. The residue was also removed. This method really works. The only bad thing about this method was that it was messy and stinky.
Pro Tip
"After the residue is removed, rinse the area thoroughly. Otherwise, there can be a long-term stain because it is a petroleum-based lubricant."
This method is one of the best methods for sticker removal with all its adhesive. Because all it takes is soaking the towel or cotton ball in the vinegar and spreading it over the area you want. Wait for the sticker to stay on the surface for a few minutes. After that time, you need to lift up the towel, and you are all done.
Time: This process takes only five or more minutes to remove the goo completely.
Rating: I can rate this method 5/5 because this process got results like magic. After I lifted the soaked towel after 5 minutes, I was able to peel the sticker corner. It was a huge success because in a few minutes, there was no sticker or residue. Here is a point to note that if the sticker is thick, you will need to leave the towel for more than five minutes.
If you are looking for an effective way to remove the sticker from surfaces such as glass, metal, and some plastic surfaces, isopropyl alcohol is effective. In fact, this substance can be applied to laptops and electronics as well. All you need to do is prevent this substance from reaching your ports. Do the following steps:
1. Soak a corner of the clean cloth or a cotton wool in the alcohol.
2. Press it over the sticky residue and wait for 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Gently rub or scrape the residue with a plastic scraper or an old credit card.
4. Repeat these steps so that the sticker is removed completely.
5. Use a damp cloth to clean.
Time: This process takes only 1 to 5 minutes to deliver successful results. The time depends on how stubborn the residue is.
Rating: This method deserves a rating of 4/5 because it gives results quickly. The sticker was easily removed with no active grease. That's why we like this method over Goo Gone or WD-40 substances.
If you want a safe and easy solution that you can find in your kitchen, the most common solution is the liquid wash and warm water. This method easily removes the light sticker residue from glass, plastic, and ceramic surfaces. And it’s often the first step when you apply stronger methods for residue removal. Follow this procedure:
1. Add a few drops of washing liquid to the water in a bowl or sink.
2. Now dip the paper towel or cotton ball into the mixture.
3. After this, place that soaked towel or cotton ball on the area you want to remove the residue from.
4. Rub the area with a cloth or plastic scraper to make sure no residue remains.
5. Wipe clean with the damp cloth and leave it to dry.
Time: It takes about 15 to 30 minutes to soak the cloth over the sticker residue so that it can be removed.
Rating: I would rate this method 4/5 for glass and plastic surfaces to remove light stickers. This method is rated because the ingredients are easily available in your kitchen. Anyhow, for stubborn residues, you need patience and struggle.
Besides the liquid solutions, you can also try a magic eraser for durable and smooth surfaces, including glass, metal, and plastic. This product works as a micro-abrasive, so you must not use it on coated surfaces. But this is a fast solution as compared to the liquid solutions. Use a Magic Eraser this way to get rid of goo:
1. Wet the eraser with water and squeeze water out of it.
2. Gently rub it against the surface to remove the goo.
3. Check the surface for any scratches or abrasions.
4. If a little residue has remained, simply wash it with liquid or rub with alcohol.
5. Wipe clean with a soft and damp cloth.
6. Let the surface dry.
Time: It takes about 30 seconds to a few minutes to rub against the surface.
Rating: I would rate this method 5/5 because this method is faster and easier than the methods involving liquids. You just damp the magic eraser, rub it against the residue, and it is removed. Even the stubborn goods were removed in a few minutes.
Last but not the least, there is another liquid solution, Eucalyptus oil. This oil is a natural solvent helpful for getting rid of goo and residue. When the process is finished, it leaves a fresh scent. Use this substance this way to remove the sticker residue:
1. Pour a few drops of Eucalyptus oil onto the cotton wool or a clean cloth.
2. Dab the cotton wool or cloth on the gooey area.
3. Now gently rub against the residue as long as it does not lift away.
4. Use mild washing liquid with warm water to clean the surface.
5. Take a soft cloth to wipe it clean and dry it.
Time: This method is fast and takes 1 to 15 minutes to remove the residue from the surface, depending on the strength.
Rating: This method deserves a rating of 5/5 because of its efficacy. The natural solvent quickly breaks down the sticky residue even a minute is enough. It was best for glass, plastic, and metal, so this one is the recommended one.
Not all surfaces are the same. For different surfaces, you need to apply different solutions that do not damage the surface. Some surfaces need extra care because they can’t withstand the harsh chemicals. The following are the ways to remove sticker residue by surface type:
Glass is one of the surfaces on which residue remains when the stickers are gone. Whether you have to remove residue from glass windows, mirrors, or kitchenware, you can use the following remedies or solutions:
Try Commercial Products: If you don't have time for home remedies, you can try the commercial products for sticker residue removal on glass. The options include Goo Gone, Magic Eraser, and the Pink Stuff.
Home Remedies: You can apply the home remedies to get rid of the stubborn stickers, such as the vinegar soak method, and isopropyl alcohol. Liquid wash and warm water, and the peanut butter method.
Plastic surfaces are prone to scratches when removing the sticker residue. So, you need to apply the home remedies to get rid of the residue. Try the Peanut Butter method, the Baking Soda paste, and the Eucalyptus oil.
The laptops and electronics contain sensitive components, so harsh chemicals or excess pressure can’t be applied. To get rid of the sticky residues, you need solutions like isopropyl alcohol or a magic eraser. In case the goo is very hard to remove, you need to use a blow dryer before applying any other remedy.
Metals are sensitive materials, but they show fewer scratches than stainless steel. You can apply stronger solvents and scrubbing tools. For stainless steel, you need special care. You can use isopropyl alcohol and eucalyptus oil to break down the adhesive. These solutions apply to both.
Wood is a soft material that can be damaged if you apply harsh chemicals to it. Therefore, you must apply non-abrasive solutions:
Mayonnaise: Spread a small amount of mayonnaise on the residue. Make it stay for 30 minutes so that the oil will break down the adhesive. After breaking down the sticker, you just need to wipe it with a cloth.
Hair Dryer: Use a hair dryer to heat the residue. On softening, you can easily scrape or peel off the residue.
Vinegar: If you have to remove the residue from unfinished wood, vinegar can help.
If you want to get rid of goo from the clothes and fabric, you can use rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. Do this before washing. If you want to put clothes in the tumble dryer, make sure residue is removed; otherwise, glue will be set by the heat.
If you want to remove the adhesive from the painted walls, home remedies like liquid wash and vinegar can be applied. Before applying, test these solutions in a small area to see if they damage the paint or not. Apply these liquids with a soft cloth and minimal moisture. Avoid rubbing harshly as there may be scratches.
It’s not necessary to always try home remedies. If you are running short of time, you can directly use the ready-made solutions available in the market. Your time will be saved, which you can invest in other useful tasks. Give a try to these market-ready products:
Goo Gone is a product to remove sticker residue from different surfaces, like glass, plastic, metal, or fabric. This product is a UK product that can be easily found online.
Take a towel or a cotton ball to apply this product to the sticky area. Let it sit in that area and then wipe it clean. This product can leave oil residue, so wash it thoroughly.
Sticky Stuff Remover is another UK-based product to remove sticky residue from different surfaces. This is the best solution for surfaces such as wood, painted walls, and clothing items, on which harsh chemicals can’t be applied.
Goof Off is a stronger solvent for durable materials such as metal or outdoor items. This material efficiently removes stubborn sticker layers, glue, or adhesive. You need to check the label before using it on painted or plastic surfaces.
The Pink Stuff is a mild abrasive cleaner that is in the form of a paste. This paste cleaner is great for removing residue from ceramic, glass, and kitchen surfaces. Remove labels from cookware and jars using this product.
WD-40 is primarily a petroleum lubricant, but it is also used as a product for removing sticky residues. You just need to spray this product on the section of the surface from where you want to get rid of the residue. Clean the area thoroughly so that there is no residue remaining. Otherwise, there may be residue left from the petroleum nature of WD-40.
It is always better to soak labels in the liquids before you peel the label. On soaking, the labels soften, so whenever you apply the home remedies or commercial products, the stickers will be easily peeled off.
You must apply the home remedies and avoid rubbing harshly to prevent the plastic from scratches. You can remove the adhesive by applying the Peanut butter method, the baking soda paste, and the Eucalyptus oil. These methods will remove the residue without any damage.
Yes, a magic eraser is a good product for removing stickers. You just need to dampen it and rub against the sticker for a few seconds or minutes, and the sticker will be gone. If you don’t want any liquid method for sticker removal, this method is a blessing in disguise for you.
Yes, it will. The rubbing alcohol removes stickers effectively. For example, to remove a sticker from a plate, directly pour the rubbing alcohol over the sticker. Let it sit for a few minutes, then rinse it with warm water. After this, you can remove the sticker or label via a plastic scrapper.
Yes, there are many natural sticker removers you can find in the kitchen. These natural removers include baking soda paste made with coconut oil, peanut butter, and vinegar. All these natural removers are found in the kitchen, and you can remove your stickers easily at home.
No one likes the accessories with the residue left on them when the sticker is gone. Imagine residue not leaving its place when you peel off the sticker. This leftover residue neither feels good nor looks good.
In this blog, we have recommended the best ways to get rid of sticker residue from different surfaces after testing various methods. We have also rated the methods so that you don’t need to try each method and choose the one that better matches your sticky situation. After reading this blog, you will be able to remove any kind of stubborn residue from different surfaces. If you don’t have time to try the home remedies, you can choose the products I have listed in the blog.
