How to Get Sticky Residue Off Your Mirror

Kids’ stickers, price tags, and brand labels can all leave annoying sticky residue patches on your mirror (not to mention makeup residue). These sticky spots can quickly attract dust and dirt, leaving your mirror looking constantly dirty.

If you want to know how to get sticky residue off of mirrors in your bathroom or bedrooms, here are our professional tips on how to remove those sticky areas in a snap. And the best thing is—you’ll have many of these solutions on hand already.

Keeping mirrors and glass in your home free from sticky residue and dirt can be an ongoing chore. If it feels like too much work, you can always book a professional, affordable cleaner with Homeaglow.

12 best ways to get sticky residue off of mirrors

When you peel stickers off a mirror, you’ll usually be left with some sticky residue. If it’s a small sticker, you might be able to rub this away with your finger. But for larger residue spots or strong adhesive, you’ll need a different method.

Try one of our proven residue removal tips below.

1. Plastic or metal scraper

We recommend using a plastic scraper (e.g. a plastic knife or credit card), as metal can scratch the surface of your mirror if used incorrectly. But if you’re confident, you can also use a dull knife or razor blade for this method.

Angle your scraper at 30 degrees to the glass, and scrape towards the sticky residue until it has gone. Simple.

2. Liquid dish soap

You’ll most likely have liquid detergent on hand in your kitchen. Squirt a few drops into a bowl of hot water, then soak a sponge in it. Apply the sponge to the sticky residue spot until it softens. Use your fingers or a plastic scraper to remove the residue.

3. Hair dryer

Turn your hair dryer up to hot, and point it at the sticky spot on your mirror. This will begin to lift the adhesive. You can then remove it easily with your fingers, or a plastic scraper.

4. Baby oil

Baby oil is a great solution for sticky residue spots on your mirror. Simply apply a few drops to a cotton ball or clean cloth, and gently wipe the sticky spot until it has gone. 

Wipe the mirror down with a microfiber cloth or paper towel to remove the oil.

5. Cooking oil

Any kitchen oils such as canola, sunflower, or olive oil can help you remove sticky residue from mirrors. Follow the same steps as for the baby oil method above.

You can also make a paste from cooking oil and baking soda for some extra power. Add a few squirts of cooking oil to a small bowl, and mix in about a teaspoon of baking soda. 

Apply the paste to the sticky spot on your mirror and leave this on for 5 to 10 minutes. Remove the paste using a plastic scraper or a hot, soapy sponge, then buff with a clean cloth to polish and dry the mirror.

6. Commercial solutions

If you pop into your local hardware or homeware store, ask the staff if they have a solution for removing adhesive from glass. Goo Gone is a great choice, and most good hardware stores will carry this.

For most commercial solutions, all you need to do is apply the cleaner directly to the sticky patch, then scrape away the residue using a plastic scraper or a clean cloth.

7. Essential oils

Orange or lemon essential oils can be used directly on adhesive spots. Apply a few drops of oil to a clean cloth or cotton ball, and leave it on for a few minutes. Wipe the mirror with a clean towel or microfiber cloth to remove the remaining oil and residue.

8. Vodka or rubbing alcohol

Alcohol is a fast solution for sticky residue removal. Rubbing alcohol is also safe to use on mirrors if you have some in the cupboard.

Wet a clean cloth with the alcohol, and rub at the residue spot to remove it. If the adhesive patch is stubborn, repeat this process until it has gone. Finish by drying the mirror with a clean cloth to remove any remaining residue bits.

9. Vinegar

Soak a clean cloth or paper towel in some white vinegar, and press it down onto the sticky area of your mirror. Leave the cloth on the mirror for 5 minutes to help soften the residue. Wipe away the vinegar and residue patch using a clean cloth or a plastic scraper.

10. Eraser

If you have a rubber eraser handy, simply rub the adhesive mark away with it. This method is a simple and effective way to remove gummy residue from your mirror.

11. WD-40

All good hardware stores will carry the classic WD-40 spray. It’s handy to have around the home, as it has many uses including removing crayon from carpet.

Point the can at the sticker residue spot and spray lightly. Leave the WD-40 on the mirror for a few minutes, then remove it using a clean cloth or plastic scraper.

12. Peanut butter

We know this one’s a bit weird, but if you have peanut butter in the pantry, you can dab some onto your mirror to remove a sticky patch of adhesive. Let it sit on the residue for a few minutes, then clean it off with a soft cloth.

For more tips, take a look at our mini-guide to cleaning a mirror without windex.

Removing sticky residue from mirrors in your home

We hope you find these techniques helpful to get sticky residue off of mirrors in your home quickly.

Keeping your mirrors around the home clean can be a time-consuming task, but the Homeaglow team is always available to help out if you need it. Find and book your perfect cleaner online today.

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