How to Remove Stickers from Plastic

Removing stickers from plastic may sound easier than it actually is. You can try to peel the sticker off, but it may still be partially attached or have adhesive residue. This is because leading manufacturers use high strength glue to hold the sticker on the plastic. Whether you want to remove the sticker or want to clean up any remaining glue, there are ways, from peanut butter to rubbing alcohol, that can help.

Table of Contents

Use oil to remove

Soak the sticker in cooking oil. Submerge plastic items in a bowl of cooking oil for about 12-24 hours. Rapeseed, vegetable and other oils will seep into the sticker and loosen the glue. This will make it easier to peel off. You can try this method again if it doesn’t work the first time and then gently peel off the sticker with a razor. ^{[1] X Research Source}

If you can’t dip the item in oil, use a cooking oil spray.

Michelle Driscpl, MPH

Founder of Mulberry Maids

Michelle Driscpl is the owner of Mulberry Maids in Cporado. Driscpl received his Master’s degree in Public Health from the Cporado School of Public Health in 2016.

Michelle Driscpl, MPH
Founder of Mulberry Maids

“You can easily remove stickers from hard plastic by using a variety of products, such as rubbing alcohol, degreaser, peanut butter or a mixture of baking soda and olive oil,” says Michelle Driscpl. . Apply the product to the plastic, let it sit for a few minutes and then use a rag to clean the label.”

Spread peanut butter over the remaining sticker. The oil in the peanut butter will break the stickiness. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the sticker—any kind of peanut butter will do. Leave for a few minutes before wiping with a sponge and warm soapy water. ^{[2] X Research Source}

Use mayonnaise. The oil in the mayonnaise will loosen any remaining glue from the sticker. Any type of mayonnaise will work to loosen the glue. Apply some mayonnaise on the remaining glue. Leave for 15 minutes. Then, wipe it off with a dry cloth. ^{[3] X Research Sources}

You may have to repeat this process if the residue is too thick or doesn’t come off the first time.

Chemical removal

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Rub the sticker with paint thinner. This is a strong solution, so you only need to soak the sticker for 5 to 10 minutes. Once the sticker has absorbed, scrape it off with a flat, wide object to remove the adhesive. Some specialized products, such as Goo Gone, have similar functions. ^{[4] X Research Sources}

Wipe the adhesive with rubbing alcohol. Use a can of isopropyl alcohol—preferably a 90% solution. Pour a small amount into the old towel and start wiping away the glue. The glue will start to come off after a minute or so of scrubbing. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

Spray degreaser on the sticker. You can use a degreaser like WD-40 to clean the sticker. Test WD-40 on a piece of plastic first to make sure it doesn’t damage the sticker if you plan to keep it. Then, spray the degreaser onto a clean cloth or spray it directly onto the sticker or remaining glue. Use the towel to rub in circles until the sticker comes off. ^{[6] X Research Sources}

Soak the sticker in nail polish remover. Soak the sticker in the nail polish remover bowl. If you don’t have enough nail polish remover, you can pour it on a cloth and wipe off the sticker. The sticker will be easily removed if you wait a few minutes for the bleach to react. ^{[7] X Research Sources}

Remove any remaining glue

Use baking soda and warm water to remove the glue. Mix flour with baking powder and a little water. Then use the paste and cloth to wipe off the glue. If it doesn’t come off, wipe the paste off the adhesive and let it sit for a few minutes. ^{[8] X Research Sources}

Use fine salt and wet wipes. Sprinkle some fine salt to harden the glue. Then, wipe the sticker with a wet disinfecting cloth until it begins to peel off. You may need to use multiple wet wipes. ^{[9] X Research Source}

Rub the eraser on the residue. Ordinary erasers used to erase pencils can be used. Rub the eraser vigorously over the residue until it starts to come off. Continue until most or all of the rest is removed. If there is still some left over, you can use the blade to remove it. ^{[10] X Research Source}

Use the blade. It is better to use a plastic blade to remove the remaining glue. You can find specialized blades for removing stickers on Amazon or similar sites. Look for stamp and sticker remover. Place the tip of the knife under the residue. Then move the blade back and forth until the rest begins to peel off. Continue using the blade until most or all of the residue is completely removed. ^{[11] X Research Source}

Advice

Be sure to wear gloves when handling chemical solutions.
Instead of peanut butter, you can use margarine or hand cream. They will be effective in dissolving the glue stuck to the glass.
Soak plastic items in a mixture of hot water and dishwashing liquid. Use a clean scrub brush to remove any leftover glue from your sticker removal method, such as WD-40.

Warning

Be careful when using nail polish remover. Some brands contain acetone, which can melt plastic.
Test the degreaser in a hidden location of the plastic. Degreasers can melt some plastics.

Steps

Use oil to remove

Chemical removal

Remove any remaining glue

Advice

Warning

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