There are different ways you can get stickers on your clothes. It could be a name tag sticker from a meeting, or sticker used to indicate sizes, or a sticker from an accomplishment at school on your child’s shirt. However, the challenge isn’t in getting a sticker but in getting the sticker residue off your clothes.
10 Ways to Get Sticker Residue Off Clothes
There are easy ways to get sticker residue off clothes, however, before any can be implemented, you have to use a butter knife to scrape off the sticker glue as much as you can. Here are the different ways you to get sticker residue off clothes below:
1. Use A Stain Remover
Stain removers work best for any kind of stain or residue, irrespective of how stubborn they may be. Here is a step by step guide on how to use stain removers to remove sticker residue on clothes below:
Step 1: Use a bread knife to scrape the sticker residue away from your clothes. Apply the stain remover to the stain and rub it in.
Step 2: Allow it to set in for about ten minutes before washing and drying the clothes.
2. Use Hand Sanitizer
Hand sanitisers with high content of alcohol in them are pretty effective in removing sticker residue. To use hand sanitisers to remove sticker residue on clothes, follow these simple steps: Apply the hand sanitiser directly to the residue and rub gently with a damp rag or tissue. Apply several times until you’re sure the sticker residue is completely off. Wash and dry cloth.
3. Laundry Detergent
Using laundry detergent is one easy way to get rid of sticker residue on clothes, however, it is recommended to make use of gloves when washing to avoid irritations on your skin. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to go about it:
Step 1: Lay your clothes on a flat surface with the sticker residue facing upwards and use a butter knife to scrape the residue off.
Step 2: Put on your gloves and pour the laundry detergent on the adhesive residue then use your fingers to rub in the detergent.
Step 3: Leave it to sit for 10-15 minutes and, wash your clothes as you would normally — either by hand or by machine.
Note: Check the clothes to be sure that the sticker residue is completely gone before drying.
4. Distilled Vinegar
Vinegar is a household ingredient that is excellent for taking care of stains on clothes because of its acidic nature. To use vinegar to take out sticker residue from clothes, follow these simple steps below:
Step 1: Wet a clean rag with distilled vinegar and gently dab on the sticker residue. Do this until the residue is covered in vinegar.
Step 2: Use an old toothbrush to scrub the residue in a circular motion until all the sticker residue is gone.
Step 3: Add some drops of dish soap to the stained area and a drop of warm water. Then wash your clothes and ensure that all sticker residue is gone before drying.
Note: Repeat the process until no sticker residue remains before drying.
5. Rubbing Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol, also known as isopropyl alcohol is quite effective in stain remover. This method of removing sticker residue on clothes will work on stickers that have been left on a garment for too long. Here is a simple guideline on how to use it below:
Step 1: Wet a clean rag with rubbing alcohol and gently dab on the sticker residue. Do this until the residue is covered in vinegar.
Step 2: Use an old toothbrush to scrub the residue in a circular motion until all the sticker residue is gone.
Step 3: Add some drops of dish soap to the stained area and a drop of warm water. Then wash your clothes and ensure that all sticker residue is gone before drying.
6. Nail Polish Remover
You can use acetone to remove sticker residue however, you have to be extremely careful when using it because nail polish remover is designed to remove colour. Here is a step by step guide on how to use acetone to remove caulk from clothes below:
Step 1: Turn your clothes inside out and put a towel inside them. Make sure the sticker residue is sitting directly on the towel.
Step 2: Put drops of nail polish remover on the sticker residue and use a clean cloth to gently rub the area and work the nail polish remover into the sticker residue.
Step 3: Wash the clothes with your regular laundry detergent. Repeat the process until all traces of residue have disappeared.
7. Peanut Butter
Now, this technique has got to be one of the strangest for removing sticker residue from clothes.
Peanut butter, though a tasty snack but contains oils that have a hidden talent that allows them to cut through adhesives. Here is a step-by-step guide to use below:
Step 1: Place your clothes on a flat surface with the residue facing up. Then use a butter knife to spread the peanut butter all over the stain.
Step 2: Keep spreading the peanut butter over the top of the sticker residual until you have a thin layer. Leave it on for about five minutes.
Step 3: Use a butter knife to gently scrape off the peanut butter and the sticker residue will come off as you scrape.
Step 4: Wash the clothes with your regular laundry detergent. Repeat the process until all traces of residue have disappeared.
8. Use Your Iron
Usually, when you have a stain on your fabric, you want to avoid any heat until you’ve got the stain out. However, sticker residue is a different kind of stain, so there is an exception to this. Here is how to use an iron to get rid of sticker residue on clothes below:
Step 1: Lay your clothes on your ironing board with the sticker residue facing upwards. Set your iron to its highest setting.
Step 2: Hold the hot iron over the sticker residue for about three minutes to allow the heat to warm the area. The warmth from the iron will melt the adhesive.
Step 3: Use a butter knife to scrape the residue off the cloth. Add 2 drops of dish soap to a bowl of warm water and stir it.
Step 4: Dip your cloth in the mixture and wash. Rinse the cloth under running water— cold or lukewarm.
9. Masking Tape
A masking tape is perfect for pulling out the debris from stickers away from the fabric but, you might need to use this method with one of the others on this list. Here is how to go about it below:
Step 1: Tear off a strip of masking tape, big enough to make a loop around your fingers from its roll.
Step 2: Place your garment on a flat surface with the sticker residue facing upwards. Press the masking tape firmly on the residue with the masking tape. Press firmly with your fingers and then lift the masking tape.
Step 3: Repeat this process, changing the masking tape while at it. Then use vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or a commercial product like Goo Gone to dab on the residue.
Step 4: Wash your clothes as you would normally, using your usual detergent. Do not dry until you’re sure that the residue is completely off.
10. WD40
WD40 is a degreaser and oil remover however, it can remove sticker adhesive and is safe to use on most fabrics.
However, it is not advisable to leave WD40 on your clothes for too long can result in stains arising from the WD40 itself.
Step 1: Put your garment on a flat surface with the sticker residue on the top. Place a clean rag or cardboard sitting directly underneath the sticky spot to stop any residue from being pushed through the garment to the back.
Step 2: Spray WD40 onto the sticker residue and leave it to soak for about 3 minutes. Then, pour some baking soda on top of the WD40 to soak up the liquid.
Step 3: Scrape off the baking soda with your butter knife. Wash your cloth with a laundry detergent and leave it to dry.
How to Get Sticky Residue Off Clothes After Washing and Drying
Sometimes, you may make a mistake and dry your clothes when the residue is not completely off. It is not impossible to get the stain off, but you may need a lot of patience. Especially if the item was dried in a dryer. Here is how to go about it below:
Step 1: Heat up a bowl of distilled white vinegar in your microwave for about 45 seconds. Then use a sponge to dab the heated vinegar onto the sticker residue.
Step 2: Keep adding the vinegar until the sticker adhesive rolls up and lifts off the fabric. Then scrape it away with your butter knife.