How to Remove Stickers From Walls Without Damaging Paint
July 28, 2023 |
Guides/Tutorials
Placing stickers on walls is an easy and quick way to add life to a blank space. But removing them is not as simple – you can’t just peel the sticker off and leave the wall unscathed. Without patience and a proper strategy, you can end up leaving a sticky residue or, worse, tearing the wallpaper or chipping the paint.
How to Remove Stickers From Walls?
If you’re looking to remove stickers from your walls, we’ve got all the best solutions for you. 1. Gently Peel Stickers Away 2. Use Heat to Get Stickers off Walls 3. Wet & Wipe 4. Try an Adhesive Cleaner 5. Apply a Residue Remover
Gently Peel Stickers Away
If your custom stickers are small and basic, they likely don’t have a strong adhesive and are easy to peel off. But even so, make sure you do so gently so the wallpaper or paint doesn’t come with the sticker when you pull it away.
Start with a corner of the sticker and pick at it with your fingernail, making your way toward the center. If you encounter parts that are difficult to lift, go to another corner and start peeling from there. You can use a blunt object to help you remove the adhesive, but be careful not to scrape the wall.
Use Heat to Get Stickers off Walls
If simply peeling the sticker off is not an option, you can use heat to help soften the adhesive. Take a blow dryer and hold it 4 to 5 inches away from the sticker. Keep your dryer settings at low to medium heat — too much heat can cause your paint to bubble or peel.
You can use a clothes steamer instead of a blow dryer, but keep the steam settings low and hold the steamer further away from the sticker.
After a couple of minutes, the adhesive would have likely lost a bit of its stickiness, making it possible for you to peel the sticker off. Do so gently, using your fingernails to pick at the corners and make your way to the center. If you notice sticky residue left behind, rub the remains with your fingers.
Wet & Wipe
Applying moisture can definitely help remove a sticker’s adhesive. But it’s typically not the best option because liquid can damage a wall’s surface, causing it to peel, bubble, or flake.
If your wall is coated with gloss, it may be able to hold up well to moisture, allowing you to use this method to remove stickers. Before starting, though, try adding a bit of liquid to a small patch on your wall and see if it damages the covering.
If there’s no damage, then you can proceed. In a small bowl, mix hot water and dishwashing liquid. Use a sponge to take the mixture and dab it onto the sticker. Then start peeling the corners off gently.
You can also use a mixture of two parts water and one part liquid fabric softener. But only use small amounts and rinse the area well after to prevent the softener from leaving streaks on your wall.
Try an Adhesive Cleaner
Adhesive cleaners are effective at loosening a sticker’s adhesive without damaging the paint on your wall. If you opt for this method, you need a can of WD-40 and a soft sponge.
Spray WD-40 On The Sticker & Wait
Spay the WD-40 liquid directly onto the sticker, making sure you get the substance on the corners. Let it rest for 5 to 7 minutes to allow the liquid to loosen the adhesive.
Gently Scrub The Sticker
When the liquid has rested, take your sponge and scrub the sticker gently. You can also use your fingers to peel the corners. If you’re not able to completely remove it, spray some WD-40 again and let it rest. Repeat the process until you’re able to scrub or peel the sticker off cleanly.
Apply a Residue Remover
If you’ve managed to remove the sticker with any of the methods we mentioned above but are left with backing paper and adhesive residue, you can use a residue remover to clean up the area. A citrus-based adhesive remover works best.
Apply a small amount of the product on a cotton swab and gently rub it over the residue. Leave it for a few minutes, then wipe the liquid off with a dry paper towel. You can use your fingernails to pick at stubborn remains.
When the adhesive is fully off, wipe the area clean with a damp paper towel. Make sure you get the substance off your walls. Otherwise, it may leave behind a greasy residue.
Can Vinegar Remove Stickers?
Vinegar can be effective at dissolving a sticker’s adhesive. But it’s not safe to use for certain wall surfaces. Only use vinegar if your wall is made of non-porous material, like glazed tile, sealed paneling, or washable paint.
Does Olive Oil Remove Stickers?
Olive oil may be able to remove stickers and their adhesive residue, but it might also stain your walls. Before using this method, test a small amount of olive oil on an inconspicuous part of your wall. If it leaves no trace, then you can use it to remove stickers.