10 Brilliant Ways to Remove Sticker Residue from Plastic

Have you ever felt frustrated trying to peel the gunk from stubborn stickers, price tags, or labels off of household items? Glue residue from sticky labels is sometimes quite challenging to remove, especially without scratching the plastic surface underneath. In this article, discover how to remove sticker residue from plastic using familiar household products.

Adhesive residue attracts dirt and grime, leaving an unsightly and annoying stain behind. Although it might seem a bit tempting to use a rigid scraper or razor blade to get sticker residue off plastic, you risk damaging the object.

Instead, try one of these simple DIY methods to safely remove sticky tape residue from plastic using what you already have at home.

Which adhesive removal technique to try depends on the type of object you’re trying to remove adhesive residue from and what you have on hand in your cleaning closet. Read on to learn the perfect solution for conveniently removing sticky label residue from plastic surfaces.

1. Best Ways to Get Sticker Residue off Plastic
   • How to Remove Sticker Residue from Plastic with Soapy Water
   • Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic using Rubbing Alcohol
   • Get Sticky Residue off Plastic with Nail Polish Remover
   • How to Remove Sticker Residue from Plastic with Cooking Oil
   • Get Sticker Glue off Plastic with Vinegar
   • Make DIY Goo Gone for Getting Duct Tape Residue off Plastic
   • Use Mayonnaise or Peanut Butter to Get Adhesive off Plastic
   • Get Sticker Residue off Plastic with Eucalyptus Essential Oil
   • Remove Adhesive Residue using a Hair Dryer
   • Use a Pencil Eraser to Get Sticky Residue off Plastic

Best Ways to Get Sticker Residue off Plastic

Several chemical adhesive remover products remove sticker residue, such as Goof Off and Goo Gone.

However, they contain harsh solvents that may damage or discolor some types of plastic. Instead, try one of the following quick and easy strategies to get adhesive off plastic safely and naturally.

Before employing one of these techniques, try to remove as much of the sticker or label as possible with your fingernail or a plastic scraper that won’t leave scratches behind.

If you are dealing with especially stubborn stickers, it might be necessary to soak the item in warm water for a while.

Although it may seem like a troublesome task at first, removing adhesive residue is not as tough as it initially appears. There are a few supplies you need to remove sticky tape residue from plastic.

Depending on the sort of adhesive you are dealing with, and how long it has been there, you may find that quite a bit of residue remains behind after your initial attempts.

However, there are numerous approaches to get sticker glue off plastic no matter how unyielding it seems in the beginning.

How to Remove Sticker Residue from Plastic with Soapy Water

The most straightforward approach for getting sticky residue off plastic or to remove sticker residue from clothes is hot water and dish soap. Fill your kitchen sink or a large mixing bowl with hot water and add a generous amount of dishwashing liquid.

Submerge the object for at least 15 minutes. Use a damp cloth, paper towel, or soft-bristled brush to scrub away the softened sticker residue.

The hot water softens the glue and any remaining paper from the sticker. At the same time, the dish soap loosens the adhesive bond with the plastic surface.

Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic using Rubbing Alcohol

In addition to being a standard household disinfectant, rubbing alcohol also works well to get sticker residue off plastic and to take stickers off laptop if you are careful. For the best results, use isopropyl alcohol at a concentration of at least 70%.

Soak a cotton ball or paper towel in rubbing alcohol and set it on the affected area. Leave it in place to soak for at least five minutes to allow the alcohol to soften the glue. Wipe away any leftover gunk and rinse the object.

Get Sticky Residue off Plastic with Nail Polish Remover

Acetone, the active ingredient in most kinds of nail polish remover, is excellent for dissolving adhesive residue. However, keep in mind that acetone is not safe for all types of plastic.

Tougher grades of plastic like polypropylene can withstand strong solvents like acetone but it discolors and damages weaker plastics. The only plastics safe for acetone use have the recycling symbol with the number five on the label.

How to Remove Sticker Residue from Plastic with Cooking Oil

Applying a bit of cooking oil is a fantastic way to get sticker residue off plastic. It gently loosens the adhesive bond so the glue comes off easily without scratching the plastic surface.

Oil may stain some types of absorbent plastics. It is beneficial to patch test an inconspicuous area of the object first. Use a bit of olive oil, canola oil, or any other kind of oil you have on hand. Baby oil also works well.

Pour a dab of the oil onto a cotton ball or paper towel and place it on the sticker glue residue. Allow it to absorb for at least 15 minutes, then use a clean cloth or plastic scraper to rub away the rest of the gunk. Afterward, wash the object with soapy water to eliminate any remaining oil.

Get Sticker Glue off Plastic with Vinegar

The acetic acid in vinegar efficiently breaks down the glue from stubborn stickers and tape residue. It is harmless to use on most kinds of plastic.

This method is ideal for dishes and plastic containers used for food storage since there is nothing toxic that will soak into the plastic. Avoid using vinegar to clean rubber, as the acid may damage it.

Here is an incredibly easy way to remove even the most stubborn adhesive residue from plastic.

Dissolve those annoying sticky labels without using harsh chemicals that irritate your skin and absorb into the plastic. This recipe is a brilliant disinfectant solution to clean linoleum floors, too.

For this way to get stickers off plastic, fill your kitchen sink or a large mixing bowl with hot water. Pour in the vinegar and dishwashing liquid, and stir it up until it forms a foamy lather. Place the object in the water with the entire sticker submerged.

Allow it to soak for 15 or 20 minutes so the adhesive fully dissolves. Keep the sticky spot underwater and use a damp cloth or old toothbrush to scrub away the loosened glue residue.

Make DIY Goo Gone for Getting Duct Tape Residue off Plastic

Duct tape residue is extra challenging to remove from plastic. For a naturally effective solution, combine baking soda, lemon essential oil, and vegetable oil to remove sticky tape residue from plastic. This combination also works well for removing wall decals.

Goo Gone is a powerful adhesive remover, but it contains harsh chemicals that you may not want to use on certain plastic objects, especially kitchen items. Instead, try this simple recipe for non-toxic homemade Goo Gone.

Stir the ingredients inside a small container with a lid. Once a dense paste forms, spread a thick layer of the mixture over the sticker residue and let it soak for at least five minutes.

Scrub the loosened adhesive away with a clean microfiber cloth or paper towel or lightly scrub with an old toothbrush to remove stubborn stickers and tape residue. Once you’ve gotten rid of all of the gunk, wash the object with dish soap to remove any leftover oil.

Use Mayonnaise or Peanut Butter to Get Adhesive off Plastic

Just like cooking oil works to dissolve adhesive residue, it’s also possible to use oily foods like mayonnaise or peanut butter to get sticky residue off plastic or to get sticker adhesive residue off metal surfaces. Smear a generous layer over the affected area and let it soak in for about an hour.

Wipe the sticker residue and mayonnaise or peanut butter away with a damp cloth or paper towel or wash the object with warm water and dish soap.

Get Sticker Residue off Plastic with Eucalyptus Essential Oil

Eucalyptus essential oil is a powerful and effective natural solvent. To get sticker glue off plastic, soak a cotton ball or paper towel in undiluted eucalyptus oil and place it on the adhesive residue for at least ten minutes.

Once the gunk loosens, wipe it away with a damp microfiber cloth or paper towel. Repeat the process several times over if necessary until all of the sticky residue is gone.

Remove Adhesive Residue using a Hair Dryer

Sometimes a little bit of heat is all it takes to loosen up hardened sticker residue and make it easy to remove. Place your hair dryer on the highest heat setting and aim it directly at the sticky labels for 20-30 seconds.

While the adhesive is still nice and warm, peel the sticker away with your fingernails or a plastic scraper, taking care to avoid scratching the plastic accidentally. If it begins to tear or refuses to come loose, reheat it again with the hair dryer.

Use a Pencil Eraser to Get Sticky Residue off Plastic

Using a pencil eraser to get sticker residue off plastic is remarkably effective. The rubber efficiently grips the glue residue and draws it away without scratching or damaging the plastic. Avoid pressing down too hard while rubbing so you don’t break the object.

Sometimes it seems like everything comes with sticky labels attached, and they’re often a pain to remove. Plastic is easily scratched and damaged, so choosing an adhesive removal strategy that won’t leave the object worse off than before is crucial.

Luckily, there are plenty of practical DIY options to get sticker residue off plastic.

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