StickerYou Blog

Before you grab your trusty multi-purpose cleaning solution and cloth and start scrubbing the adhesive residue on your carpet, you first have to understand the adhesive’s chemical makeup. This is so you can use the correct cleaning solutions and products to remove it.

Most adhesives are petroleum-based, and to remove them, you need to use a similar chemical. Some common petroleum-based products include rubbing alcohol, lighter fluid, De-Solv-It solution, or Goof Off. You can choose any of these, but always test the solution on a small, inconspicuous area of the carpet first to make sure it doesn’t damage it.

Once you’ve chosen a product to use, follow these steps to get rid of the personal sticker residue:

1. Grab a plastic scraper or credit card and scrape off as much of the adhesive as you can.
2. Once you’ve removed the loose adhesive, apply a small amount of your chosen cleaner directly onto the adhesive stain. If the area you need to clean is large, work in small sections. Be careful not to soak the carpet with the cleaning solution. Otherwise, you risk dissolving the glue that holds the carpet and its backing together and causing more damage.
3. Put on some rubber gloves and use your fingers to rub the cleaner into the fibers.
4. Rub the area again, this time using a soft cloth. Do this until the adhesive residue is no longer visible.
5. Create a mixture of mild soap and water and pour a small amount onto the area to clean the solution off.
6. Wipe the area with a moist, soft cloth until the solution is gone.
7. When you’re done, leave the carpet to dry. Check underneath the carpet to make sure the padding is dry, too.
8. When the carpet is fully dry, vacuum the stained area to restore the fibers’ texture.

And there you have it! Your carpet should now be free of adhesive stains and look as good as new. If, after a couple of days, you notice the adhesive stain reappearing, you can repeat the steps above to clean it once again until the residue is fully removed.

If sticker residue isn’t your problem but gum instead, follow these steps to get your carpet off of this sticky situation:

1. Grab some ice from your freezer and put it in a plastic bag.
2. Hold the bag over the gum. The ice will help make it harder and easier to remove.
3. Use a scraping tool to remove the gum from the carpet.
4. Vacuum the affected area to remove gum particles.
5. Pat the area with a sponge soaked with warm, soapy water.
6. Soak up the liquid with a clean rag or towel. Pat the area until it’s dry.