Removal of Sticky Residues
When using solvents please be aware that they are often toxic and should be used in awell ventilated area. It is also a good idea to try the solvent out on a part of the item that will not be visible as you could damage the surface; nail polish remover can damage some plastics.
The following tips have been submitted by our readers and suggest many different sovents and methods. Solvents include WD40, Lighter Fluid and Nail Polish Remover (Acetone).
Alcohol in its various forms can also be effective, as can Good old Soap and Water. Mineral Spirits is very effective with some residues.
Which ever method you use we would wish you good luck and let us know how you get on -- A list of Materials and Solvents is to be found at the foot of the page - Materials and Solvents
Subject: Adhesive Removal on Jars. I was recycling old jars for Christmas gifts in a jar
and I needed to get the glue off. I tried most of
the remedies suggested here but the best and easiest
way to do it is to boil the jar for about 3 minutes,
then take it out with tongs and (still using
the tongs) scrub the glue off with an s.o.s. pad.
Afterwards just rinse off the
soap and dry it...good as new! -- Crystal Carruthers
Subject: Removing Sticky Price Tags. Use adhesive tape to remove sticky price tags. It's
moisture- and odour-free, and works even on glossy
paper. Simply rub or lightly scratch in the tape to
lift as much of the price tag as possible. Repeat till
the whole tag and sticky residue comes off. Learnt it
from shop assistants doing gift-wrapping. It works!
Cheers,
GI -- atheneum
Subject:
Remove Sticky Residues. To remove the sticky residues left by labels from nearly any surface, use a few drops of LIQUID LIGHTER FLUID on kitchen paper or duster and simply rub off. It works every time and won't cause damage to the surface like nail varnish remover may. --
Bev Burns 3/07/09
Subject: Removing Sticky Marks Hi,
I find that household spray-on polish removes most sticky marks left by
labels etc- especially good for taking them off the bottom of new
shoes. -- "Joanna Keith"
Subject: How to
Remove Labels hi
this is hema from california. to remove labels from plastic &
glass jars, just keep the jar in hot water for 30 - 40 min. take off
the label. it works very good on glass jars but on plastic jars its
hard to remove sticky residue. so try the idea of T Cattermole
the idea is applying oil on sticky residue & leave it for few
days & wash it with detergent & water. i also tried
& i saw the magic. -- (Kumar Pandya) hema pandya
Subject: tips on
stuff. To remove
any sticky residue left on after peeling, use "goo gone" which can be
purchased at Walmart. It works better than alcohol on sticky stuff. --
I've learned a lot of neat things while on this planet for 68 years.
Try them, what do you have to lose? --
(Irene M. Ward)
Subject: Sticky
Residue. Fingernail
polish remover works great to remove sticky residue - especially on
glass & metal surfaces. Do a test spot if using on plastic
though, it will melt most plastic. -- Dan & Evelyn Fleddermann,
Subject: Adhesive
Residues. Simple
alcohol will clean off adhesives. Sometimes you will need to apply and
let sit a few minutes, but it will work. Some people like to use nail
polish remover. Alcohol is its major ingredient. Save yourself some
money! Alcohol also removes ink from nonporous surfaces, i.e., kitchen
counters. ~~ E Melsem
Comments: Given a few days to work, cooking oil will combine
with the glue and soften it. After peeling off the label, the oily
residue responds to hot water and detergent. You can help the oil to
penetrate by peeling off or scratching the label's surface --
“Tony Cattermole”
Subject
Sticky Residue? Dear
Hints and Tips: Hope you can help me solve a baffling problem.
I have
a desk mat, one of the clear plastic "soft" variety--Artistic "Krystal
View" is the brand name. When new, it was beautiful. I put photographs
and important calendars under it since it is designed provide both
viewing and a cushioned surface. Unfortunately, it's impossible to
clean. I've tried liquid detergents such as Palmolive Dishwashing
Liquid, cleansers (Ajax) and window cleaner (Windex) all to no avail.
There is a sticky residue, perhaps from cellophane tape, on the surface
of the mat and I cannot remove it. Any suggestions? These mats are
expensive--around $25--so I'd like to return it to its clear
appearance.
Thanks
for your assistance! -- Melanie ~ Melanie O. Massengale Systems Manager/Technician
Answer: Peanut butter, Cooking
oil, WD40. All of the previous remove sticky residues. In this instance
avoid "Dry cleaning Solvents as they could damage the mat. -- Martina Direr
Subject:
Sticky label remover from glass I have found that if you put peanut
butter, preferably not chunky, on glass, bottles, or even mirrors, it
will remove the residue. Sometimes it takes more than one application.
Most people have peanut butter on hand.
-- Anon
Subject:
Sticky labels. I
use WD40 to remove sticky labels. Just spray a little WD40 on the label
and leave it for a few minutes. The label usually slides right off.-- "The McKenna's"
Old
decals can be removed from glass using a razor blade.-- Mike
Hanewinckel
Removing Sticky Labels from
Plastic: Whatever method you use, first test the
cleaning/removal material in an inconspicuous part of the surface the
label is stuck on the be sure it will not damage that surface. If the
label on the plastic has been wet, or the article has been stored where
it was hot or humid, it will be more difficult to remove. 1. Dampen a
small piece of cloth, or the end of a swab stick (cotton twisted on the
end of a wooden match or orange stick). Dip cotton end in dry cleaning
fluid. 2. Allow the fluid to remain on the label only long enough to
allow the label to be rubbed off. Wipe away excess fluid immediately,
and wash article in sudsy water and dry. (DO NOT ALLOW FLUID TO REMAIN
ON THE PLASTIC SURFACE VERY LONG, AS IT WILL DULL THE FINISH OF THE
PLASTIC.) This
article was written by Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with
reference from Mary Ellen Delsipee, and Isabel Jones, previous
Extension specialists. Quoted from the Michigan State University
Extension Home Maintenance and Repair page http://www.msue.msu.edu/imp/mod02/master02.html
Removing Adhesive: Rubber
cement thinner which you can buy at most art supply stores and some
office supply stores removes most adhesives used on labels. Scrape off
as much of the paper from the label as possible before applying the
thinner and rubbing with a cloth or paper towel. It works great on
glass, Formica and most non porous surfaces but will cloud many
plastics. Also, it is extremely flammable. Lighter fluid often will
also remove rubber based adhesives. Bob Lipson
Use white spirit (Mineral Spirits in the US) or lighter fluid to remove the
residue from sticky labels. - - Vanessa Echols
Subject:
Tip: Household - Cleaning -
removing sticky residues You can remove sticky residues and loads of
other hard-to-shift marks by simply "rubbing them out" with a rubber
(or even Blu-Tack), just as you would rub pencil marks off paper. -- Simon Davey:
26
Jun 2003
Subject: sticky residue/glue I
discovered the other day, finger nail polish remover, (most already
have it in the home). Removed old wall paper glue the tub insert with
one wipe, removed melted plastic bag off of curling iron, paint spatter
windows and tub insert. All was removed with just one wipe of remover
on a piece of toilet tissue. -- D Dugan
Residue from Sticky labels: Goo Gone
works great on removing adhesives left behind by stickers, store
stickers, gum, etc. It is found in Sears Hardware Stores and other
department stores. -- Good Luck, Patti Seizetheday
Removing Adhesive: I used vinegar to remove
adhesive from glass jars, and off of our sink. it worked pretty
well -- Jan Tani
Talcum powder can help to remove sticky residues -- Edward Sitwell
Sticky
Residue
I've found Avon Skin-so-soft works great for getting off sticky residue
left from labels or tape on glasses, plastic dishes, etc. and it smells
good too. Put it on a cotton ball and rub on residue, then wash with
soapy water. I've also used this to get it off windows and walls.
-- Rhonda Carpenter
28 Nov 2002
Subject:
Avon Skin so Soft. to
take sticky goo off of things. I use it for many things. Including the
dog and cat. I use it when cleaning old glass it helps take the old
grease off and leaves everything shining. Baking soda is a all around
cleaning solution. It is non abrasive. Cleans the outside of a
refrigerator very well and takes the yellow away if you have white. I
use it in the wash instead of softeners. It sweets the clothes and
softens them also. It is also good to take the bugs off the car.
Remember it is non abrasive. Always keep baking soda in the car as it
will put out a fire, yours or someone else's. Cheap also. We used
baking soda in our pool along with bleach for 14 years and never bought
another chemical. We had the best looking pool in the neighborhood.
Crystal clear. I also use it in my pond for the PH.
-- KD Bug 27 Nov 2002
Subject:
Re Sticky Residues Sticky
residue can be removed with methylated spirits, dabbed on with cotton
wool. Use sparingly at first, use more if necessary. Works for residue
left behind by Sellotape/Scotch tape/decals/stickers/sticking
plaster/price stickers. Works on wood, glass, metal and plastic. And
skin. It's flammable so take care. Gerard Sagar +44 (0) 20 8883 5052
+44 (0) 7711 036723
Subject:
REMOVING GUM Great
way to get GUM out , rub it with PEANUT butter! I think it is the OIL
in in, and though I have not tried it, I am sure oil would probably due
the same thing, except the peanut butter is GOOEY, and the oil runs! --
"Kathy Ulmer" 5 Sep 2002
Subject:
Sticky Decals on Glass Some
people sure go through a lot of trouble trying to remove the stickers,
try WD 40 or lighter fluid, it does come right off without the hot
water and soap. But of course you want to rinse the chem smell. ~~ D1 Kelly 22
Dec 2002
Subject: Use of Talc for Removing Sticky Stuff. Talc causes cancer. Try cornstarch in its place. Baby powder can now be found in cornstarch form. -- maryanne tom
6 Jan 2006
Subject: Sticky Residue. To remove any sticky residue from any surface, simply clean with eucalyptus oil using a lint free cloth. Cheers from sunny down under. -- Tina Gianakoudakis 29 Aug 2005
Full List of materials, Solvents and Methods:-
Rubbing Alcohol
Methylated Spirits
Isopropanol or IPA
Mineral Spirits (Also called White Spirits)
WD40
Charcoal Lighter Fluid
Ronson, Zippo or other lighter Fluid
Eucalyptus Oil (In Australia)
Goo Gone
Talcum Powder
Cooking Oil
Peanut Butter
Hair Dryer
Steam Cleaner
Hot or Boiling Water (Careful)
Some Creams and Cosmetics
Washing up liquid
Adhesive Tape
Vinegar
Ammonia
Acetone
Nail Varnish remover
Bestine (Art Stores)
Blu Tak
Rubber Eraser
Aerosol Furniture Polish
HnT
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