9 Best Ways To Get Sticker Residue Off Glass

The best and most comprehensive guide to removing sticker residue from glass. Learn 9 ways the pro cleaners get sticker residue off glass.

Whether you’re trying to peel a label off a jar, scrape a big price tag off a new mirror, or take an old “Honk if you love cats!” sticker off your car’s back window, the chances are you’re going to be left with a patch of annoying, gummy residue where the sticker used to be.

This residue can quickly attract dirt and dust, so it’s important that you take the extra steps needed to remove it. Read on for our best tips on how to get sticker residue off glass without scratching it.

If getting your glassware or windows sparkling clean feels like a chore, you can always book a professional, affordable cleaner to take care of everything through Homeaglow.

Before you start

Getting sticker residue off glass isn’t hard, but you need to ensure you don’t scratch the surface of the glass in the process, especially if you’re cleaning a mirror. It’s tempting to use a knife or metal razor blade to scrape off any remaining sticker glue, but these can permanently damage glass if you’re not careful.

Before you use any of the below methods to remove sticker residue, start by trying to get excess residue off the glass using your fingers. Simply rub your finger along the sticky patch, which will roll the adhesive residue into clumps that you can pick off.

Depending on the type of sticker adhesive, this might be the only step you need to take. But in most cases, you’ll need to do a proper clean of the glass. 

How to get sticker residue off glass quickly

These are our favorite techniques for getting sticker residue off glass with no fuss and no scratches. You'll already have most of the ingredients for the DIY solutions in your home.

1. Liquid dish soap

A few squirts of liquid dish soap can help you clean everything from countertops to carpet, and it’s a whizz at removing gummy residue from glass too.

Simply fill a large bowl (or your kitchen sink, depending on what you’re cleaning) with hot water and add a few squirts of dish soap. Drop bottles, jars, or other small items into the hot water and leave them to soak for around 30 minutes.

If you have larger items to clean, put some rubber gloves on, and use a sponge or cloth dipped in the hot soapy water to work at the sticker residue. 

The heat and soap will make short work of lifting away the glue. Then all you need to do is rinse the freshly cleaned glass and dry it with a soft cloth.

2. Plastic scraper

We cautioned against using a metal blade above, but using a plastic scraper can help you remove sticky residue off a flat glass surface quickly. If you don’t have one of these scrapers on hand, you can also try using the edge of a credit card or gift card, or a plastic knife.

3. Hair dryer

Glass withstands heat well, but it’s a death sentence for sticker residue. If you have a hair dryer, it can make short work of removing stubborn glue. 

Begin by setting your hairdryer to medium heat and pointing it at the residue patch. The adhesive will begin to warm up and eventually dissolve, making it easy to scrape away with your fingers, or with a plastic scraper as mentioned above.

4. WD-40

This lubricating spray has many uses around the home, including getting gum and crayon out of carpet. If you’ve got some trusty WD-40 in the cupboard, you can use this safely on any glass to remove a gummy glue patch. 

Simply squirt some WD-40 onto the sticker residue and leave it to sit for 5 minutes. Then use a cloth to wipe away the spray and, like magic, the sticker residue will lift away easily.

5. Oil and baking soda

Baking soda is a natural, gentle cleaner that’s also mildly abrasive. This makes it a great choice for cleaning sticker residue off any type of glass. 

Mix a tablespoon of baking soda in a bowl with a few drops of cooking oil (or baby oil) to form a stiff paste. Dip a cloth into the bowl and gently rub the paste on the patch of residue. 

Leave this paste on the glass for 5-10 minutes so it can work its way into the adhesive. Remove the paste with a cloth or paper towel, and wipe away any remaining sticker residue with a warm, soapy cloth.

6. White vinegar

If you’ve got white vinegar at home, simply tip some onto a paper towel, sponge, or cloth and press it down over the sticker residue. Leave the vinegary cloth on the glass for 5 minutes so it can start to break down the adhesive. Then use a plastic scraper or cloth to wipe away the glue.

7. Rubbing alcohol

Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) can remove sticker residue in a flash. If you don’t have any on hand, you can also use vodka. 

Wet a cloth or paper towel with the alcohol and rub it directly onto the sticky patch on the glass. This should quickly remove the residue and you can clean and polish the glass as normal.

If you’re dealing with a particularly stubborn adhesive, you might need to leave the alcohol-soaked cloth on top of the glass for a couple of minutes to help break down the residue. 

8. Acetone 

Nail polish remover with acetone makes short work of melting your nail polish, and it does the same to sticker residue.

Take a cloth or cotton ball dipped in acetone and press it down onto the patch of adhesive. Leave it on the glass for 1-2 minutes and then wipe the area clean with a fresh cloth.

9. Commercial adhesive remover

Good homeware and hardware stores should carry commercial products that are designed to remove sticker residue effectively. A popular choice is Goo Gone which is relatively inexpensive and handy to have in your home. 

Citrus-based cleaners can also help you remove sticker residue from windows, bottles, and jars easily. Just spray the cleaning solution onto the gummy spot, leave for a couple of minutes, and then wipe it away with a cloth.

Don’t let sticker residue on glass get the better of you

Ready to get that glass sparkling clean? Grab a cloth and choose one of our trusted methods above to get rid of those stubborn sticky spots for good.

Or you can let the professionals do it. We know that getting sticker residue off glass can be time-consuming, but cleaners on Homeaglow are always available to help out when needed. Find and book your perfect cleaner online today.

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