Coconut oil was the clear winner for removing sticky adhesive. As you can see in the photo the coconut oil not only dissolved the adhesive but allowed the leftover label to come off in a chunk instead of having to scrape over and over.
Coconut oil was the clear winner for removing sticky adhesive. As you can see in the photo the coconut oil not only dissolved the adhesive but allowed the leftover label to come off in a chunk instead of having to scrape over and over.
Oil, acetone, and rubbing alcohol can all work for sticker residue. My favorite is Goo Gone, though. Works for everything sticky, including grease, gum, candle wax, crayon, markers... I always keep some on hand.
LPT: Cooking oil will remove adhesive residue without damaging the surface For some residues you have to let it soak in, but a little vegetable or olive oil will dissolve the adhesive in a few hours and can be scrubbed away with a rag.
Some stubborn adhesives melt or soften and become much easier to remove when heated. Heat the adhesive using a heat gun. If you do not have access to a heat gun, a hair dryer may work in a pinch. Once the surface is hot, try to gently scrape the adhesive away using a putty knife.
3M adhesive remover is amazing stuff. It beats Goo Gone by a wide margin, I recently used it to remove PETG residue from my 3D printer bed and that stuff is gnarly. 3M 38983 General Purpose Adhesive Remover - 12 oz. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004EBNTYK/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_cU...
WD-40 is a multi-use lubricant spray that can also be used for sticker residue removal. To apply, simply spray it over the affected area and leave for several minutes. The glue should then just wipe away!
Sticker Removal Method: Coconut Oil and Baking Soda
The method: Start by removing as much of the sticker as you can before mixing up a paste of coconut oil and baking soda. To create the paste, mix 2 parts baking soda with 1 part coconut oil. Spread generously over the sticker, and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
Baby oil, cooking oil or even lubricants like Vaseline can effectively loosen old stickers. Apply a small amount to the leftover adhesive and gently rub the spot.
Oil-based solutions are a natural and effective method to dissolve sticky labels without harming delicate surfaces. Common household oils like cooking oil, baby oil, or even peanut butter contain compounds that naturally break down the bonds in adhesives, making them excellent choices for removing sticky label residue.
White Vinegar
It's even capable of removing sticker residue from surfaces, especially glass and metal. Vinegar's acidity is to thank, as it helps break down the adhesive and lets it be wiped away.
Soak the glue residue in rubbing alcohol, acetone, or vinegar. Leave it soaked for a few minutes then try scraping it off again. If the glue still proves too stubborn, try heating it up with a hair dryer. This should help loosen up the glue.
Vegetable or canola oil can work wonders, as can peanut butter or mayonnaise. Spread it on, let it soak into the residue for about an hour, then wipe it away. For a tougher clean, try rubbing alcohol or vodka. Let it fully permeate the unwanted residue, then rub away completely with a cloth.
Orange oil, like that found in room deodorizer or Murphy Oil Soap, can work on adhesive as well, although you should be careful not to scrub too much with these as they can eventually work their way into the paint.
If any residue remains, apply a small amount of cooking oil or baby oil. Let it sit for a few minutes to soften the adhesive. Wipe away the residue with a soft cloth.
The application is pretty simple: squeeze a few drops of vegetable oil over the jar after removing the label, rub the oil into the adhesive, and let it sit a couple of minutes. Then take a scrubber sponge with soap and scrub it lightly. Came right off.
I discovered this while trying to clean off some stubborn label adhesive from some spice jars I wanted to reuse! It's super simple: two parts baking soda, one part vegetable oil. Worked like a charm! This could be a great way to salvage a lot of reusable items.
Olive oil works well on these sticky encounters because it serves as a softener, loosening the stubborn glue from the sticker that doesn't want to be displaced.
WD-40 is a lubricant dissolved in a solvent. While it can break down grease and oil to a certain degree, it also adds back some. This might be desirable if you are cleaning a hinge, conveyor, or corrosive-prone part, but not if you need it truly clean.
Hydrogen peroxide is especially good on super glue, and it's a safe way to clean up most glue spills on metal. Soak a cotton ball with the hydrogen peroxide and press it onto the glue until it softens. Use fresh cotton balls as needed to blot up any glue residue.
I was in Dollar Tree yesterday and happened to see big bottles of Goo Gone. They're in the cleaning section if anyone is in need of some.