How to remove adhesive from a sticker
All kinds of stickers and thermal stickers are an indispensable attribute of modern trade. They are most often marked with information about the product, its qualities and composition, as well as a barcode for reading when selling.
Such elements can also be in the form of accessories for decorating a wide variety of items - from children's beds to home walls or windows.
One thing unites them all - over time, it becomes necessary to get rid of such stickers. And in order to get the most effective result and not harm the surface to be cleaned, it is enough to adhere to the rules given below. And then it will be very easy to peel off any sticker without traces.
Can the adhesive be removed from the sticker
The adhesive base of any sticker is acrylic, therefore, to completely remove it, you must use suitable materials. It is also important to take into account the features of the surfaces to be cleaned so as not to damage them during the work.
Depending on the degree of soiling and the time elapsed since the sticker was applied, cleaning work can take a few minutes or long hours.
Adhering to all the recommendations given in this material, you can not only clean any surface from the sticker to its original appearance, but also guarantee protection from damage.
How to properly remove an adhesive stain
In this matter, it is necessary, first of all, to build on the nature of the surface to be cleaned. There are some nuances when cleaning:
- Fabrics.
- Metal.
- Glass.
- Paper.
Further, both folk remedies and the most effective methods using chemical and mechanical means are considered.
Each material has its own characteristics, but if you carefully follow the advice we offer, you can achieve an excellent result in all respects.
From clothes
As a rule, the paper base from the surface of the garment can be removed quite easily, but it will take a little work to clean the glue.
Most often used for cleaning fabrics:
- Iron.
- Hair dryer.
- Alcohol.
To remove the adhesive backing with an iron, a thin backing cloth is required. We put it on the place to be treated and run it with a hot iron on top.
Note! It is recommended to increase the temperature of the sole gradually, starting with the lowest temperature, in order to prevent the penetration of the glue into the fabric.
In the case of a hairdryer, heat treatment is also applied, but in a slightly different way. First, the surface with the remnants of glue is heated until the moment when it will be visually visible how the acrylic layer rolls up. And then the remnants are removed with a dry cloth.
This method can be used with natural materials such as cotton or linen. For synthetic fibers, silk and chiffon, heating is not used because of the risk of damaging the material.
Removing a stain with alcohol must be combined with an additional wash, since in most cases only visible dirt is completely removed. Remains of glue can remain inside the fabric even when using a hair dryer or iron.
Furniture
Cleaning of furniture in most cases is done separately for each material that makes up this piece of furniture.
For example, a glue spot can grip both upholstery and some decorative elements made of wood, plastic, or glass. In this case, first we process the surface that is the hardest to clean, in most cases, it is fabric. And only then we move on to working with other surfaces.
How to clean wood, glass surface and plastic from stickers without consequences is described below.
Plastic
Plastic is widespread almost everywhere, so sooner or later the question of how to wash the glue from the sticker arises in almost every person. The easiest way to clean the plastic layer is with alcohol-based liquids. However, before using any solution, it is recommended to first test it in an inconspicuous place on the material. This will ensure that the selected solvent will not damage the surface.
Note! Many solvents are corrosive to plastics and are not recommended.
Another way is to apply oil to the surface of the decal to be removed. This method will work if there is a layer of paper left for the oil to absorb. After waiting a while, the unwanted sticker can be removed quite easily.
When cleaning plastic, do not use aggressive materials - sandpaper, metal brushes and knives, spatulas. They can leave scratches on the surface, which are impossible to get rid of in a domestic environment.
Glass
Glass is one of the easiest materials to remove all kinds of stickers and stickers. All due to the high rigidity of the material, which provides resistance to even the most aggressive impact.
Therefore, even metal knives and spatulas can be used when cleaning a window or dishware case. The main thing is not to overdo it and not push the very surface of the glass.
We have alcohol or solvent on hand - great, we use them. Found an old adhesive cleaning powder and it'll do. There is nothing but a knife - and in this case, the issue of removing the sticker can be solved.
Metal
Metal is as durable as glass. However, when working with it, you should not use materials that can damage the surface, primarily oxidize it, or change color upon contact with metal.
Therefore, the best solution would be to use oil or alcohol solutions.You can also use the mechanical method using spatulas and knives, not forgetting about safety precautions when carrying out such work.
Paper
Removing the sticker from the surface of the paper is one of the most difficult tasks. But with the right approach, here you can solve the problem with an excellent result.
The first option that immediately comes to mind is to erase with an eraser. Here you need to be careful, because you need to keep the surface of the material intact. The eraser should first be checked for safety when used on, for example, a book, and if the paper is not adversely affected, follow through.
Another good recipe for removing a sticker is scotch tape. Having wound it around the finger with the sticky side outward, we glue it to the sticker, and then with a sharp movement we try to separate it from the surface of the paper. This method should also be pre-checked for reliability on a small area of the sticker.
A small scraper can be used to remove the sticker and any glue residue. It is recommended to pre-wet its surface before this. For glossy surfaces, it is possible to use alcohols or oils, because their traces are then easy to remove.
Folk remedies for removing glue
In addition to the commonly used chemical compounds, there are quite effective folk remedies for removing glue from stickers. Let's talk about the most popular of them further.
Baking soda
Baking soda will do a great job of removing stuck stickers if you don't have any cleaning powder on hand. We wet the surface well, apply soda and begin to remove dirt. Of course, this method is only suitable for materials such as glass or metal, because for plastic, paper and fabric, exposure to soda particles can have a negative effect on the integrity of the surface.
Vinegar
Vinegar is often used as an alternative to alcohol or solvent for removing grease. This solution does not harm the plastic surface, so it can be safely used to clean it.
The best result can be achieved if it is possible to pre-soak the sticker for a while.
Note! When working with vinegar, it is necessary to comply with safety requirements - do not let the solution get into the eyes, work in a ventilated area.
Lemon acid
Citric acid can be used either from fresh lemons or as a powder dissolved in water. It is recommended to pre-soak the place of the sticker and after dissolving the adhesive layer, it will be quite easy to remove the sticker.
There are times when it is impossible to remove the stain the first time, in this case, you can repeat the above procedure without fear.
Vegetable oil
The oil will help even with stubborn stains, especially if you use pre-soak. Just 10 minutes is enough for the liquid to be absorbed into the remnants of the sticker. Then, with a plastic scraper, remove the remnants of the sticker from the surface of the material to be cleaned.
It may happen that the first time not all of the adhesive layer leaves the surface to be cleaned. In this case, the procedure can be repeated. If the glue cannot be cleaned the second time, you can combine oil cleaning with more aggressive agents, for example, vinegar or alcohol.
Alcohol
It resembles solvents in its properties. However, it acts on the surface more carefully.When using this liquid, it is worth remembering that alcohol has a high volatility, so it makes no sense to leave a sticker for soaking.
We apply alcohol to the surface for just a few seconds, and proceed to remove the sticker. After the operation done, you do not even have to clean the place of the sticker additionally - after the alcohol evaporates, it does not leave any traces behind.
Wet wipes
Everyday wet wipes are also a great way to remove glue and sticker residues. Moreover, they can be bought at almost every step.
To remove the sticker, you must actively rub the surface with a napkin, applying slight pressure. When the top layer begins to peel off, the applied force should be increased.
Once the paper is completely removed, continue to remove the remaining glue. It is not always possible to clean it with a napkin, so it is advisable to use more aggressive liquids in addition.
Acetone
It has high availability, this tool can be purchased at any hardware or hardware store. It has sufficiently high cleaning properties, however, it is not recommended for use for plastic surfaces, as it can harm the surface.
It makes sense to pre-treat the surface of the sticker and let it soak for 5-10 minutes. Then, acting on the sticker with a scraper, remove its remnants.
After using acetone, it is recommended to remove its residues with soapy water.
Note! The vapors of this substance are toxic, therefore, cleaning with its use is carried out only in well-ventilated areas.
Kerosene
Kerosene is a flammable liquid, therefore, in order not to have problems when using it, you must take precautions.
It is recommended to let the kerosene soak into the surface so that even stubborn and stubborn stains can be cleaned.
Additionally, depending on the surface to be cleaned, you can use scrapers or dishwashing sponges.
Special means
Special products include ready-made professional fluids that have a strictly defined composition and scope.
Such products have a very aggressive composition, therefore, for each specific case, it is necessary to carefully study the instructions for use so as not to damage the surface to be cleaned.
Such compositions can be in the form of liquid or spray cans, they are functionally the same for their purpose, differ only in ease of use for each specific case.
Mechanical cleaning by hand
Manual cleaning is most often used either due to the lack of special detergents and compositions, or when it is impossible to use chemical cleaners.
For manual removal of stickers, you can use any of the available tools at hand - napkins, sponges for dishes. With such cleaning, you should carefully control the degree of impact on the surface to be cleaned, avoiding excessive zeal, in which case it will be possible to achieve the best result.
Regardless of whether you use any specific means to remove stickers and glue residues, or manual cleaning is performed, following the advice offered in this material, you can achieve the main thing - to permanently peel off the sticker without traces.
Video: how to remove a sticky mark from a sticker