• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Hello Nest

The Art of Making a Home

  • Green Cleaning
    • Air Fresheners
    • Bathroom
    • Bedroom
    • Kitchen
    • Laundry
  • Natural Living
    • Homemade Recipes
    • Essential Oils
    • Plants & Flowers
    • Zero Waste
    • Organizing & Simplifying
  • DIY & Decor
    • Candle Projects
    • Holiday Projects
    • Sewing Projects
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube

How To Remove Even the Most Annoying Stickers & Labels

29 · Jul 20, 2019 · Stephanie Pollard · 1 Comment

I know this sounds like a first world problem, but you know when you buy some new dishes at the store and then spend hours (hooours) peeling off the stickers when you get home? And don’t get me started on picture frame stickers. It’s seriously the worst. I don’t know why some stores insist on affixing their labels with crazy glue but over the years I have tried everything to get those suckers off.

Luckily there are a few things you can do to salvage items seriously marred by misplaced stickers—and it doesn’t require a PhD or a bunch of odd-sounding supplies. Here are 5 ways to remove sticker residue quickly and easily the first time around.

5 Ways to Remove Sticker Residue

We’re all about repurposing old jars, but first you have to get the label off. Ugh. Once you peel off a label or price tag, you’re often left with a thick layer of gunky glue that can seem impossible to get rid of. Sometimes I don’t even get that far – it’s all I can do to get the label off at all, so I’m left to deal with both the paper and the glue underneath. Talk about a big ol’ mess.

See also
How To Make Your Own Jewelry Cleaner

5 Ways to Remove Sticker ResidueFirst, put down the knife

If you’re tempted to scrape off the label with a glass scraper or putty knife, don’t. It can scratch the ceramic surface, leaving you with a hazy or chipped item instead.

Do try to remove as much of the sticker residue as you can using a fingernail or wet paper towel. But if the label is especially stubborn, I prefer not to mess with it all and just one of the following methods to soften the paper and weaken the glue underneath. Sometimes a quick once-over with a hairdryer is all it takes to melt the glue and allow you remove the label in one fell swoop.

1. Soak it in vinegar

Vinegar has long been used to break down grease and stubborn residue on hard surfaces. To use, soak a paper towel or an old rag in white vinegar and drape it over the sticky surface. Let it soak in for a few minutes, then wipe away. It should remove a great deal of sticky residue with it, but if needed, use a plastic scraper to get rid of any excess residue.

See also
Keep Mold + Mildew Away With a Natural Shower Cleaner Spray

Use hair dryer to remove sticker residue

2. Use a blow dryer

Of all the ways to remove sticker that I’ve tried, this one is by far my favorite. Set your hair dryer to high and aim it directly at the offending label for 20 to 30 seconds. Set the dryer aside and, while the glue is still warm, use your fingernails to gently pry the label away from the surface.

Keep re-heating the glue as necessary until you’ve completely removed the sticker. If done correctly, the sticker should peel off without ripping or tearing into small, hard to remove pieces.

3. Make your own Goo Gone

I love Goo Gone for getting rid of lots of gunk and grime, but I’m not a huge fan of the ingredients. Turns out you can make your own Goo Gone using a couple of items in your pantry.

Homemade goo gone for sticker residue

Simply mix together 2 tablespoons vegetable oil and 3 tablespoons baking soda. Apply a thick layer of the paste over top the sticky stuff and use your fingers or a bristle brush to gently buff it away. The oil and baking soda gently remove sticker residue without damaging or scratching the surface underneath.

See also
11 Basic Natural Cleaning Recipes Everyone Should Know

4. Soak it in hot, soapy water

Place a few drops of dish soap in a bowl or sink full of hot water. Immerse the item, label and all, in the water and let it soak for 15 minutes. The water will soften the glue and dissolve the paper, allowing you to brush it clean using a dish brush or your fingernails.

Soaking off stubbon sticker residue

5. Coat it in olive oil

Apply a thick coat of olive oil directly the sticker and let sit for 30 minutes to soften residue. Once it has had a chance to sink in, use your finger to scrape away what’s left of the label. Wipe away any remaining oil using a clean, dry rag.

29

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)

Green Cleaning

More Posts from Green Cleaning

  • How to clean workout equipment

    Your Workout Gear Is Filthy! Here’s How to Clean It

  • 5 Homemade Drain Cleaners That Actually Work

  • How to Clean White Converse

  • How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil to Combat Household Pests

    How to Use Peppermint Essential Oil to Combat Household Pests

  • Keep Mold + Mildew Away With a Natural Shower Cleaner Spray

  • 5 Essential Oil Blends To Clean The Air


Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. ray says

    November 24, 2019 at 7:58 pm

    Hi steph…. for the final intergalactic label and glue remover, use citrus oil. Get the orange stuuf znd use it neat….. not on plastics though.
    Ray

    Reply

Primary Sidebar

Get updates + more!

Get the exclusive content you crave straight to your inbox.

Featured DIY

The Best Way To Clean Mirrors (No More Streaks!)

How to clean workout equipment

Your Workout Gear Is Filthy! Here’s How to Clean It

5 Homemade Drain Cleaners That Actually Work

How to Make an All-Natural Dusting Spray

4 Spring Scents for Essential Oil Air Fresheners

More

We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Hello Glow
  • Hello Veggie

Copyright © 2022 · Seasoned Pro

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.