Even though the adhesive material on most stickers is designed for easy removal so that they can be repositioned, temperature differences and time may set them, making them stubborn to remove.
One of the most annoying situations is when you are trying to remove a sticker from a glass surface. Usually, you end up with one of two situations: either the whole sticker won’t come off, or you manage to get the paper off and are then left with some sticky goo that just won’t budge.
Some important precautions when removing stickers from glass
If you are wondering how to get sticker residue off glass, including your auto glass, your first reaction may be to scrape the sticker away with a sharp object like a blade. Don’t!
Also, resist the temptation to use steel wool or the rough side of kitchen sponges because if you are not careful your glass surface will be left with fine scratch marks that dull the glass surface.
Harsh scraping is the worst way to remove stickers and you might just damage your glass window or table by scratching it permanently. With this method, you are most likely to just end up having peeled the paper off and you will be left with the glue, which is always the most difficult part to remove.
Most reliable method of removing stickers or price tags from glass
Some several reliable methods and products that can be used for removing stickers off glass surfaces. These involve using quite a few products, most of which you always have at home.
Hot soapy water
If the sticker is on a bottle or jar, you can soak it in a tub of hot soap and water for anything between 15 and 30 minutes. If the sticker is on a flat surface that can’t be soaked in a tub, you can sponge it with the warm and soapy water.
Soap and water help to dissolve the glue and the sticker can then be gently be lifted with a finger, the blunt side of a knife, or a razor scraper. Start at the edge and once you have a good grip, the sticker should peel off easily.
Reliable baking soda
Baking soda has many uses around the house and it is also non-toxic. It is also useful for cleaning price tags of glass surfaces. When using baking soda do make sure that children and pets are not around and wear gloves, because it can irritate the skin.
Baking soda with oil
Use any oil and mix it with some baking soda to form a paste. First, seal off surrounding areas with some masking tape to protect surfaces made from other materials and then apply the mixture to the glass area you want to clean.
Leave the paste on for about 15 minutes and on very stubborn sticker glue, you can even leave it on overnight.
You can now lightly sponge the mixture with the soft side of a kitchen sponge. Don’t use the abrasive side of the sponge or steel wool because it can damage the glass. Prefer a gentle cloth and once you have removed the sticker and glue, wipe the glass clean of any baking soda and oil.
Baking soda with water
Make a mix of hot water and soda water. Depending on the amount of water you are using in the bucket, you can mix anything between half a cup to a whole cup of soda water in. The water will foam up, creating a powerful glue dissolvent.
Soak the glass item you want to clean into it or put some of this solution onto the glass, again protecting other surrounding surfaces with masking tape. After about 30 minutes, or even overnight, the whole mess should wipe cleanly away. With another cloth, clean the surface of any baking soda residue.
Washing soda solution
Hot water and washing soda work well for removing stickers and can be used in the same proportions as water and baking soda. The foamy water created will need about 30 minutes to act on the stubborn price tag glue, but it can be left overnight too. Always wear gloves.
Heat it up
Use a blow-dryer to heat the surface you want to clean for about two minutes. Once the adhesive of the sticker has warmed up, you must act quickly to remove it with your finger or a blunt knife. If you don’t act fast, the cooling-off action will end up setting the adhesive even harder than it was before. You might find that this method will leave a residue of adhesive behind, but some warm soapy water should suffice to remove it.
Rubbing alcohol or acetone
Wear gloves and with a soft cloth that has been soaked with rubbing alcohol or an acetone-based nail polish remover, gently rub the sticker until it begins to lift. These chemicals will dissolve the glue after a few minutes. If you are using these chemicals on a window, prefer to do this when there is no direct sunlight.
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