How to Remove Adhesive Residue

There are several ways to remove stickers from a surface.

Adhesive Removers
Adhesive removers come in three different forms: liquid, gel or wipes. Depending on the product, they can remove glue, tape, stickers, gum, crayons, grease, tree sap and more.

For sticker residue, spray the liquid form and use a cleaning cloth or a paper towel to remove it. With a gel adhesive remover, pour a small amount on the surface and let it sit for a few minutes. Then use a cleaning cloth to remove the sticker. For wipes, simply rub it across the surface to remove the sticker residue.

Rubbing Alcohol
Apply rubbing alcohol to a paper towel or a cleaning cloth. Then gently rub the sticker off. If the sticker still isn't coming off, let the alcohol sit for a few minutes.

Hand Sanitizer
Try using an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to remove sticker residue. Rub the hand sanitizer on the surface. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then remove it with a cleaning cloth.

Dish Soap
Put a few drops of dish soap on the surface. Dish soap can fight grease and works well to remove residue from stickers. Let it sit for a minute or two and then remove with a paper towel.

For glass or ceramic, you can place these items in a sink with warm water and some dish soap. Let them soak for a few minutes and rinse them off.

If you're painting and have left a few marks or spatters that need to be cleaned up. we have a few solutions.

Adhesive Remover
If you have drips, spatters or spills that have occurred while painting, clean them up with an adhesive remover specifically for latex paint. It can work on wet or dry surfaces, including tables, floors, paint brushes, tools and ladders. Simply spray the adhesive remover on the paint and wipe it off with a clean cloth.

Rubbing Alcohol
For dried latex paint, add some rubbing alcohol to a sponge and hold it over the spill or spatter for a few seconds. Then wipe it away.

Dish Soap
If the paint is still wet, simply use a few drops of dish soap on a wet cloth. Wipe it clean.

Removing tape residue is similar to treating sticker residue. Always test first in an inconspicuous area to ensure that the product you're using won't damage the surface.

Heat
Run a hair dryer on low heat over the area for a minute while scraping at the surface with a plastic scraper or razor blade. This treatment works well on glass or metal.

Adhesive Remover
Use an adhesive remover spray, gel or wipe and apply it to the surface. Typically, you'll spray or pour the adhesive on, wait a few minutes and then wipe it away with a clean cloth. Read the directions for your specific product.

Rubbing Alcohol
Add rubbing alcohol to a paper towel or sponge. Let it sit for a couple of minutes and then lightly rub at the residue with a clean cloth. This works well for plastic, metal or glass.

Soap and Water
Mix dish soap and water. Use a sponge to rub the mixture onto the tape residue. Then wipe it dry with a paper towel or cleaning cloth. This works wells for painted walls, ceramic and wood.

If you've just finished caulking your kitchen backsplash or shower door and have some spots that need to be cleaned up, we'll explain how in a few simple steps.

Heat
First, scrape away at the extra caulk with a putty knife. Use a blow dryer on a low setting for a couple of minutes. It'll help to soften the caulk residue. Then use a clean cloth and isopropyl alcohol or mineral spirits to wipe down the area.

Caulk Remover
There are formulations that are specifically used to remove caulk. They can work on latex, silicone and acrylic caulk and sealants. These removers work on wet or dry caulk. Depending on the caulk remover, they're suitable for wood flooring, trim, tiles, glass and fiberglass.

Spray the caulk remover on the surface. Leave it for a few minutes, following the manufacturer's instructions. Then use a plastic scraper to remove. Wipe the area down with a cleaning cloth.