How to Remove Stickers from Glass, Wood, Metal, Plastic & More

06/01/2022

How to Remove Stickers from Glass, Wood, Metal, Plastic & More

Got a sticker stuck on a surface you can’t get off? Whether you’ve got an outdated promotion window sticker, some branding you no longer love or had a little one stick an unwanted sticker on your wooden table, stickers, although we love them, can sometimes be a bit of a nightmare to remove, especially from difficult surfaces.

When peeling price tag stickers, manufacturer labels, or any given product sticker, we can be left with a sticky residue or a particularly stubborn sticker might leave behind half the sticker. Our choice of removable stickers help massively reduce the risk of residue being left behind, but if you’ve changed your mind on what you once wanted to be a ‘permanent’ sticker, don’t panic.

We’ve put together our guide on how to remove stickers from different surfaces, which will help you remove even the trickiest of stickers!

What Can You Use to Remove Stickers?

The answer to how you can remove stickers could be lying within your kitchen cupboards. Different surfaces may require different products and methods to remove stickers so you don’t damage the surface underneath, but these common household items are known for being good at removing stickers:

  • Hot soapy water
  • White Vinegar
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Nail varnish remover
  • Razor blades
  • WD-40
  • Hairdryer
  • Baking soda and coconut oil
  • Window cleaner

So, before you rush out and spend your money on expensive cleaning products, check your cupboards as the answer to removing stickers may be in your home already.

How to Remove Stickers from Glass and Car Windows

How to get stickers off glass I hear you ask? Maybe you’ve had a parking notice put on your windshield, need to remove an outdated promotional window sticker, want to get the dealer’s car window sticker off, or want to get a price tag off some new glassware or jar. Removing stickers from glass can be a particularly painful and tedious task. Luckily, there are a number of different products and methods that can be used to remove label glue from glass.

Using Rubbing Alcohol to Remove Stickers from Glass

Wet a cloth or rag with rubbing alcohol, apply and rub into the sticker so that the residue lifts off. For more stubborn stickers, you can apply an alcohol-soaked rag or cloth onto the area and let it sit for 3-7 minutes before peeling away.

Using Window Cleaner to Remove Stickers from Glass

Simply spray window cleaner onto the sticker on the glass and use a blade to remove the sticker or residue. Be sure to go slowly here but spray and chip away as many times as you need to to get the sticker off. Although they don’t rip like paper labels do, removing vinyl stickers from glass may be a cleaner process, as they will remove in less broken up pieces if the correct method is used.

Using WD-40 to Remove Stickers from Glass

Does WD-40 remove stickers from glass? Yes, it does! Remove as much of the sticker and residue as you can before. Then, spray WD-40 onto the sticker area and let it soak for several minutes, before wiping any residue away with a damp cloth.

Removing Window Stickers from Glass

You don’t need to worry about how to remove window stickers from glass anymore, as Handy Labels have the answer. Our static cling window stickers are adhesive-free and cling to any smooth, flat glass surface. This means that they can be removed and re-applied to your windows as many times as needed, leaving no sticky residue behind.

How to Remove Car Stickers

Having a rebrand and need to take off a car sticker as though it was never there? Car decals, although incredibly durable, can also be removed. The challenge with removing stickers is to try to not damage the paintwork.

There are four steps to removing car stickers without damaging the paintwork, although this can’t always be avoided:

  1. Clean the sticker so there is no debris on or around it that could scratch the car paintwork when you begin to remove the sticker.

  2. Heat the sticker using a hairdryer. Hold the hairdryer 6-8 inches away from the sticker and move it around the area. This should loosen the adhesive and allow you to slowly peel away the sticker from the car.

  3. If the sticker is stubborn and refuses to peel off, you can use the edge of a credit card to help lift the sticker and its residue.

  4. Once the sticker is off, wipe down the area with warm soapy water or an adhesive remover to ensure all residue is removed from the car. Then, rinse off the car to ensure it's all clean.

How to Remove Stickers from Wood

From wooden furniture to floors, you need to be careful when removing stickers from wood. It can be difficult to remove stickers from wood without causing damage, but it’s possible. It’s best to test a small area first before trying to remove the sticker to make sure no damage is caused.

The first method involves using a hairdryer to heat up the sticker, making the adhesive easier to remove. Aim the hairdryer at the sticker and when it’s warm to the touch, gently scrape the sticker away using a spatula or credit card.

If this doesn’t work, another method to try is rubbing oil (like vegetable oil or coconut oil) onto the sticker and letting it soak in for a few hours. Once it’s soaked in, gently rub the sticker away using a cloth.

How to Remove Stickers from Plastic

Whether it’s a plastic toy or container, stickers can be tricky to remove from plastic without leaving a residue or causing damage. There are a few different methods you can try:

  1. The first method is to use a hair dryer to warm the sticker, making the adhesive easier to remove. Once the sticker is warm, slowly peel it away from the plastic. This method is similar to how you would remove a sticker from wood.

  2. If you don’t have a hairdryer or if the sticker is still stuck on, another method to try is to soak the plastic item in hot soapy water for a few hours. After soaking, gently scrub the sticker off using a cloth or sponge.

  3. Another method that can be effective for removing stickers from plastic is to use rubbing alcohol. Apply the rubbing alcohol to a cloth or sponge and gently rub the sticker until it comes off.

How to Remove Stickers from Metal

Stickers can often be found on metal surfaces, whether it’s a metal container, appliance, or even a car. Removing stickers from metal can be a straightforward process, but there are some things to consider.

One of the most effective methods for removing stickers from metal is to use a hairdryer. Warm the sticker with the hairdryer and then slowly peel it away. If there is any residue left behind, you can remove it using rubbing alcohol or an adhesive remover.

Another method to try is to soak the metal item in hot soapy water for a few hours. This should soften the adhesive and make it easier to scrub off.

Conclusion

Removing stickers can be a bit of a challenge, but with the right methods and products, it’s possible to remove them without causing damage to the underlying surface. Whether you’re trying to remove a sticker from glass, wood, metal, or plastic, there are a variety of methods you can try. Remember to always test a small area first to ensure no damage is caused.