1. Glass
Knowing how to remove stickers and labels from glass is super useful, as glass jars that once contained jam or cosmetics can be easily reused time and time again. To remove a label or sticker from a glass container, follow these steps:
1. Place the container in the sink and soak it in hot, soapy water for at least 10 minutes. Add more hot water if it becomes cold because the heat is necessary to melt the glue on the sticker.
2. Try peeling the whole sticker off. If this doesn’t work, scrape the sticker off with a scrubber or the rough side of a sponge.
When you need to remove stickers from larger glass surfaces, like windows, use a hairdryer to heat up the sticker, and then apply vinegar, alcohol, or bug spray on the sticker. The heat will loosen the sticker, and the cleaning agents we mentioned will dissolve the glue even further, so the sticker will come off easily with a soft cloth or paper towel.
If this doesn't help, and glue residue or pieces of the sticker remain on the glass, mix any cooking oil with baking soda into a paste and apply this mixture to the sticky area. Let the mixture sit on the sticker for 10 minutes, and then use a wet sponge to gently scrub off the remaining glue and sticker particles.
2. Plastic
Plastic containers, cooking supplies, appliances, and electronic devices require a gentler approach than glass ones, as it’s much easier to damage them with heat or scrubbing. First and foremost, do NOT try the hairdryer method we explained earlier on any plastic item - it will melt!
If the sticker or glue residue is on an item that can be washed with water, such as plastic cookware or a decorative item, you can soak it in warm water and dish soap and then wipe away or peel off the sticker, just as we explained in the glass section. If the item is too big to fit in the sink, you can soak a cloth or paper towel in the water and soap solution for 5-10 minutes, and then try peeling off the sticker.
Wipe down the area with a cloth soaked in vinegar to dissolve any remaining glue or sticker marks. When dealing with electronics, such as laptops, smartphones, or a PC, however, the story is somewhat more complicated because you can’t get them wet. Removing these stickers is more tricky and it will require a combination of rubbing alcohol and some elbow grease.
Here are the steps you should take to remove a sticker from electronic devices:
Note: Before you use this method, check the device’s manual to make sure that rubbing alcohol can be used to clean the device.
1. Some stickers have a plastic film. You will need to peel it off or gently scratch it to remove the sticker.
2. Soak a microfiber cloth in alcohol, place it on the sticker, and let the sticker absorb the rubbing alcohol.
3. Use an old plastic card to scrape off the majority of the sticker. Then use the microfiber cloth from earlier to remove any remaining glue residue. Repeat the steps if needed.
3. Wood
Removing remnants of masking tape or stickers from a wooden surface can be tricky because you must avoid damaging the finish, the lacquer, or the paint protecting the wood itself. That’s why we advise against using any harsh chemicals, be it alcohol or vinegar, on wood.
We don’t advise using water either, as it can damage the wood and make it rot, especially if you’re dealing with a large surface. Your best bet is to use a hairdryer on the lowest warm setting. Turn on the hairdryer and hold close (but not directly on) the sticker for about 30 seconds. Then try to peel off the sticker, starting from a corner.
If you feel too much resistance and can tell that the entire sticker won’t come off, repeat the hairdryer method for another 30 seconds, and then try to peel it off again. Depending on the type of sticker and adhesive used, it may take several tries until the glue loosens up enough, so don’t give up! Once the sticker is off, you can wipe off any remaining glue residue with a paper towel or a damp cloth soaked in soapy water.
4. Drywall
It’s definitely tough to remove a vinyl decal or a sticker from a wall without leaving any marks or peeling off parts of the paint, but it isn’t impossible! Once again, a hairdryer is your best friend here, as it will help liquefy the adhesive and make it easier to pull the vinyl or sticker off the wall.
Heat up the sticker or vinyl with a hairdryer for a few seconds, and then use your fingers or tweezers to peel it off. If you see that the sticker rips or leaves a residue on the wall, heat it up a little more. It’s essential to peel the sticker flat and to the side instead of pulling it away from the wall - this will prevent any paint from chipping.
Once the majority of the sticker is off, you can gently scrape or peel off any remaining adhesive or small marks with clean fingers.
5. Metal
The fridge may be a good place to leave sticky notes if you want to remember something, but the stainless steel finish can be ruined by the little pieces of glue they leave behind. The same goes for stickers, of course. To remove a sticker from a stainless steel fridge, oven, or any other metal surface, follow these steps:
1. Dampen the sticker with a paper towel soaked in warm water for 10-15 minutes.
2. Scrape off as much of the sticker as you can with a cloth or old card.
3. If any residue remains, mix together some baking soda and room-temperature coconut oil into a thick paste and spread it over the sticker.
4. Let the paste sit on the sticker for 5 minutes and then wipe it off with a cloth. Any sticker marks will probably vanish as you clean away the paste.
Share these useful tips with family and friends!
