How to Remove a Sticker from Plastic

If you’ve ever bought something from the store and spent way too much time trying to peel the price tag from its surface, then you realize that the struggle is real. You use your fingernails to scrape and scrub and end up with a chipped nail and a plastic surface with ugly sticky residue. Here is how to remove a sticker from plastic using simple solutions.

There are stickers on just about everything these days, from price tags on merchandise to sticky labels on plastic. Not only are they challenging to remove, but retailers seem to get sick satisfaction with sticking them in the hardest to remove areas.

Unfortunately, what seems like an easy task of pulling off a sticker, often results in torn paper, leftover adhesive residue, and gunk. The more you work at removing stickers, the messier the spot becomes. Who would have thought that pulling a small sticker off a smooth surface would be such a chore?

Easy Ways to Get Sticker off Plastic

There are many reasons for stickers on plastic, from a child’s creative expression to price tags. There are also right and wrong ways to remove them. We show you the correct ways to get rid of stubborn stickers and remove sticky residue from plastic without harming the surface.

Get Sticker off Plastic with Goo Gone

You’ve probably noticed Goo Gone at one time or another while strolling through your local hardware store. This product is useful for removing many sticky substances and the easiest way to get sticker off plastic.

Spray the Goo Gone on the sticker and let it sit for a minute. Use the sharp edge of a putty knife to scrape the sticker away gently. Clean the area with some soapy water and a sponge, and dry it with a towel.

What removes super glue from plastic? You may have luck with Goo Gone here, too.

Getting Sticker Glue off Plastic with Oil

Cooking oil is a safe liquid for getting sticker glue off plastic and to get a label off glass, and just about any type works, from canola to vegetable oil. It loosens the sticker paper and softens the adhesive for quick removal. You may find that this is also an excellent DIY Gorilla Glue remover for plastic surfaces, as well.

Apply a small bit of baby oil or cooking oil, such as olive oil or coconut oil, to a paper towel and lay it over the affected area. If you do not have these oil types, consider using mayonnaise or peanut butter that contains oil.

After a couple of minutes, use the sharp edge of an old credit card to peel the sticker away from the plastic. Wash the surface thoroughly with soapy water and a sponge and dry it with more paper toweling.

Try this way to remove stickers from your laptop, too. Be careful not to drip any oil onto the screen or keyboard.

How to Remove a Sticker from Plastic with Nail Polish Remover

Many nail polish removers contain acetone, which is a solvent that dissolves adhesive. A simple application of this liquid makes the job of removing sticker residue on glass or plastic easier.

Press a cotton ball over the opening of a bottle of fingernail polish remover and flip it over to saturate the cotton. Place the soaked ball on the sticker and hold it in place for a couple of minutes.

Press the edge of a razor blade between the sticker and the plastic surface and use gentle force to push the adhesive away. Soak a fresh cotton ball with acetone and use it to remove sticker residue.

The acetone in nail polish remover also works as a DIY record cleaning solution for vinyl. Store bought nail polish remover is gentle enough to polish vinyl records without damaging the surface.

Removing Stickers from Plastic with Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a liquid that dissolves adhesive bonds. Using this liquid in combination with a scraper will remove labels from plastic as well as remove stickers from metal, leaving the surface sticky-free.

To get a sticker off plastic surfaces, apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball and rub it over the adhesive in a circular motion for a few minutes to break down the glue.

If you don’t have rubbing alcohol available, try using hand sanitizer that contains alcohol. Hold an old credit card at an angle and press it into the edge of the sticker with just enough force to peel it away from the plastic surface.

If there is still residue remaining, clean the area with another cotton ball and rubbing alcohol, and then rinse the area with a damp cloth.

How to Erase Stickers off Plastic

Removing a label from plastic is tricky, and getting sticker glue off plastic is even harder. If a failed attempt to remove a sticker from plastic leaves the surface with gunk residue, try using an eraser and a little bit of heat.

Plug in a hair dryer and aim the heat at the sticker for about 45 seconds. Use the edge of a blade to work the sticker off the plastic and reapply the heat if necessary. After you remove the label, use a pencil eraser to rub away the leftover adhesive gently.

Using Vinegar and Baking Soda to Remove Stickers from Plastic

For stickers that are old and stubborn, try using white vinegar and baking soda to remove them. Combining the two ingredients helps break down the bond and gently scour away the sticker, and it’s also an excellent DIY vinyl cleaner.

Combine equal portions of vinegar and water in a bottle and add some baking soda. Screw the sprayer in place and shake the bottle well. Spray the cleaner over the sticker to saturate it and let it sit for a couple of minutes.

Press the flat edge of a putty knife on the plastic and push it gently beneath the sticker. Use some force while you slide the adhesive away from the surface.

After you remove the sticker, inspect the area for sticky residue. If the spot is still tacky, spray some more cleaner on it and wipe it with a clean cloth.

This solution also works quite well to remove hard water stains from plastic, as well.

Cleaning Away Sticker Residue with Soap and Water

If you’re hesitant to use alcohol, acetone, or other cleaners to remove stickers from plastic, a basic solution of hot water and soap is often all that is required to get the job done.

Squeeze a drop or two of liquid soap directly on the sticker, use a wet washcloth to scrub the spot using a circular motion, and lay the towel over the area for several minutes to soften the bond.

Remove the washcloth and use a razor blade to pull the sticker away from the plastic, making sure to use gentle pressure to avoid scratching the surface.

Once the sticker is off, clean the plastic with the soapy cloth to remove sticky residue and then rinse it clean with fresh water.

Purchasing something from the store to discover sticky labels do not cover its surface is a pleasant surprise, but it doesn’t always work that way. Fortunately, there are simple techniques for getting stickers off plastic and removing adhesive residue.

Knowing how to remove a sticker from plastic the right way is the difference between a smooth, clean surface and one smeared with sticky deposits, so why not share our sticker removal tips and methods with your circle of friends on Pinterest and Facebook?