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StickerYou Blog
How to Remove Sticker Residue from All Surfaces
June 12, 2025
Stickers are the ultimate way to personalize your stuff - from laptops to lockers, custom stickers can help your personality shine. StickerYou offers premium removable adhesives that don’t leave any messy residue behind, so you can stick freely wherever inspiration strikes. But - not all stickers are created equal, and sometimes you can be left with a mess when using stickers from other brands.
Luckily, sticker and label residue can be easily removed using common household items!
Most Useful Household Items to Remove Sticker and Label Goo
Depending on the surface you plan on cleaning, many household options can help free you from sticky messes!
How to Remove Sticker Residue from Walls?
Bought the wrong custom wall decal and got stuck with messy residue? Get an iron with a steam function and get it hot and steamy. Place it close to the wall (don’t actually press it to the wall!), press the steam button, and hold it there for about five minutes. Once you’ve steamed the adhesive, take a paper towel and wipe off the wall with gentle, circular moves. This should do the trick!
Don’t have an iron? Baby oil is a great alternative for cleaning walls. Pour some baby oil into a sponge, then rub it on the wall residue. Let the oil sit for about 20 minutes, and use paper towels to rub the adhesive off.
How to Remove Sticker and Label Residue from Windows?
First off, never try to scratch off stickers from windows! That may get the stickers off, but you'll probably end up with window scratches. Instead, use this simple recipe: Fill ¾ of a spray bottle with water, fill the rest with vinegar, and shake well. Spray the concoction over the residue surface, rub it in, and wipe it off. According to the Kitchn, this is the best method for removing sticker residue. Need more power? Use a plastic scraper after softening the residue with the above solution.
Next time, order our removable custom window decals for a mess-free solution!
How to Remove Sticker and Label Residue from Glass?
Getting old labels off bottles or jars can be a pain. But with this trick, those labels paper labels will scrub off clean! How to do it: First, soak the label in hot water to loosen the top layer of the paper label and peel it away. Then, spread cooking oil (like olive oil) over the label using a paper towel or a sponge. Let sit for a minute, then wipe away with a clean paper towel and wash with soapy water.
Did you know StickerYou can help you make your own custom labels for homemade jams, spices and more?
Image credit: OnlineLabels.com
How to Remove Adhesive Sticker Residue from Clothes?
Have you used a name tag that left a sticky residue on your clothes? Try acetone-based nail polish remover. (Proceed cautiously, as clothes are much easier to ruin than hard surfaces like walls or glass, so test an inconspicuous area first!)
Pour a bit of acetone-based nail polish remover on the sticky area, then turn it face down and place it on a towel or washcloth. Add another drop of nail polish remover on the other side, and use another towel to rub the spot on both sides. It may take a few tries, but it will rub the sticker residue out.
How to Remove Sticker Residue from Plastic or Metal?
Did you know that pencil erasers are great for removing those annoying small parts left behind by stickers and custom-made labels? Simply rub the eraser on the leftover residue, and it should come right off!
For bigger surfaces, you can use cooking oil. Simply rub any type of cooking oil on the residue, let it soak overnight, and the sticker should be ready to come right off. Still left with a mess? Apply the oil again and use a plastic scraper to gently scrape the adhesive off. Other household items that work great on plastic are lacquer thinners, degreasers, nail polish remover, and even vodka! They help break down the glue so you can wipe the mess right off!
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