And once a sticker is stuck, it (and itssticker residue) can prove pretty tricky to remove.
Here’s how to remove stickers in 10 easy ways.
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The Spruce / Sanja Kostic
Its acidity breaks down the adhesive of the sticker, allowing you to simply pull it off.
Here’s how to use this trick:
Dip a cotton ball in white vinegar.
Set it on top of the sticker and let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
Take off the cotton ball, then pull the sticker off the surface.
Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol has a variety of uses, including on stickers.
It acts as a solvent, dissolving both the sticker and its residue.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
It can be applied similarly to white vinegar.
Dip a paper towel or cotton ball into rubbing alcohol and place it on top of the stubborn sticker.
Let it sit for five to 15 minutes, then lift it away.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
The sticker should now be easily rubbed away with a clean cloth.
Acetone
Acetone (aka, nail polish remover) is another sticker-remover favorite.
However, acetone can dull certain glossy surfaces, so test it out in a hidden spot first.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
After testing, dip one end of a sponge or washcloth in acetone.
Rub the sponge all over the sticker until it starts to lift away.
Clean up any left-behind acetone with a little dish soap and water.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
Canola or vegetable oil can also be used in place of olive oil.
To use olive oil to remove stickers, pour a small amount onto a clean cloth.
Here’s how it works.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
Rub peanut butter all over the surface of the sticker.
Let it sit for 30 minutes.
Use a plastic spatula or scraper to scrape up both the peanut butter and the sticker.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
To use Goo-Gone, spray or apply it on top of the sticker.
Let it sit for five to 10 minutes, then wipe it away.
The sticker should come off at this point.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
Finish by cleaning the surface with hot soapy water.
WD-40
WD-40 is a quick and easy way to get rid of stickers and their residue.
Mayo
The oil and acidity of mayonnaise work in tandem to make it an excellent sticker remover.
The Spruce / Carson Downing
Start by spreading a (thin!)
layer of mayonnaise on top of the sticker.
Let it sit for 10 to 20 minutes.
The Spruce / Ana Cadena
Once this time has passed, wipe everything away with a damp washcloth.
Simply rub it all over the residue until the adhesive bunches up and falls or rolls away.
This trick works on all kinds of surfaces.
Here’s how to try this one out for yourself.
Point your hairdryer at the sticker for two to five minutes.
double-check it’s on “high.”
Once the sticker starts to warp or shrink, pull it off of whatever surface it was stuck onto.