How to Remove Sticker Residue from Fabric

You tossed your favorite article of clothing into the washer and dryer and forgot to remove that sticky name tag. Now you have a nice, clean shirt with a clumpy patch of sticker residue on the front. We’ll show you how to remove sticker residue from fabric to get your clothing looking brand new again.

There are many reasons to discover old stickers on clothes, particularly if you have children. These stickers often go unnoticed before laundry day, leaving a sticky shape of sticker glue on the fabric and a patch of broken bits of a faded and dried sticker.

Plucking at these tacky pieces with your fingers only results in frustration. Even if you can remove the top layer, there is still sticky residue to contend with to salvage your clothing. Fortunately, there are a few laundry hacks to remove this gunk, no matter the size sticker.

Removing Sticker Residue from Fabric

While removing the sticky residue from fabric seems like an impossible task, especially after washing and drying it, we have some quick and efficient ways to eliminate it.

Get Sticker Residue off Fabric with Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a common item in the home and is a useful tool to get sticker residue off fabric, as well as to remove sticker residue from a laptop case. This liquid is a solvent that dissolves the glue residue for easy removal.

To get sticker residue off fabric, pour some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball, and rub it into the old sticker.

Use your fingernails to pry away the loosened paper, and then use another alcohol-soaked cotton ball to rub away the adhesive residue. Wash in the washing machine with detergent and launder as usual.

This strategy is also ideal for getting dried polyurethane out of clothing or carpet or as a homemade car adhesive remover. Use care on car paint so you don’t damage it as well as taking off the sticker.

Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Fabric with Goo Gone

Goo Gone is a popular adhesive remover that works safely to remove sticky tape residue from fabric and remove grease stains. It comes in both a spray and bottle form and is simple to use.

To remove sticky tape residue from fabric, apply Goo Gone to the sticker residue and use an old credit card or putty knife to scrape away the sticker’s loosened bits.

Wipe the area with paper toweling to remove all of the sticky residue, and wash the fabric in the washing machine with laundry detergent.

How to Remove Sticker Residue from Fabric with White Vinegar

To get adhesive off fabric, try using white vinegar. It is a natural acidic liquid that works to break up sticky residue for convenient cleaning. Remove sticker residue from clothing so you don’t have to throw it away.

To get sticker glue off fabric or for removing slime from fabric, apply a small amount of white vinegar to a soft cloth, and wipe the stain to soak it lightly. Use a toothbrush for scrubbing away bits of old stickers until all of the pieces are gone.

Rinse the article under warm water and squeeze a couple of drops of dish soap onto the material. Gently scrub the stain with the soapy water to remove all excess and rinse the fabric under clean water.

Using Nail Polish Remover to Clean Away Sticker Residue

Fingernail polish remover contains acetone, a liquid that dissolves adhesives. It is an ideal choice for getting duct tape residue off fabric and removing stickers from clothes.

Spread a towel out on a clean surface and place the fabric, adhesive side down, on the towel. Pour a small amount of fingernail polish on the opposite side of the sticker stain.

Use a washcloth to rub the area gently while transferring the sticker residue off of the fabric. Flip the item over, check that the adhesive is gone, and then wash it in the washing machine using a normal wash cycle and laundry detergent.

Removing Sticker Residue with Peanut Butter

Making a homemade fabric spray can work for odors, but consider trying peanut butter to remove glue adhesive. Believe it or not, this famous sandwich condiment contains oils that break up a bond from masking tape, stickers, and other glue residue.

Lay the article on a flat surface and spread a layer of peanut butter on the adhesive. Use a butter knife to scrape the sticker and glue gently away from the material, and then launder the item in the washing machine with a small amount of detergent.

How to Remove Sticker Adhesive by Ironing

To remove sticker residue without taking your clothing to the dry cleaners, consider using heat. A clothing iron is an effective tool for removing stubborn stickers and loosening glue adhesive.

To get sticky residue off fabric, lay the item on an ironing board, and heat the clothes iron to the highest heat setting. Hold the iron over the fabric without touching the heat to the glue adhesive.

Set the iron aside and use a plastic card to pry away the sticky residue gently. Repeat the steps until all of the sticker is gone.

Get a washcloth wet with warm water and a couple of drops of dish soap. Scrub the stained area to clean away leftover gunk and rinse the material under clean water.

While fabric with an old, tattered sticker stuck to its surface seems like a lost cause, removing the adhesive residue is not impossible. All that’s required is a bottle of rubbing alcohol, fingernail polish remover, or another simple ingredient, and a little bit of effort.

We hope that knowing how to remove sticker residue from fabric prevents your favorite items of clothing from going to the trash, and we’d love it if you’d share our sticker residue removal tips with your circle of friends and family on Facebook and Pinterest.