Plastic items are used in all areas of our lives. These include toys, dishes, and household appliances, for example, scoops, basins... And very often housewives have to deal with price tags and labels that do not want to deviate from the novelty. No need to be patient! It’s enough to find out useful recommendations on how to remove glue from stickers from plastic, and you can safely create a neat appearance. Below you will find simple and effective tips on this issue.
There are many ways to get rid of glue. But they may not be needed. Try simply prying the sticker with a knife, blade or fingernail and remove the label. You can spray the capricious sticker with steam. Often the labels come off without a trace. If not, use cleanliness recipes.
Method 1 - mechanical
The easiest way to remove a label is to rub it with your fingers. If the sticker came off easily and there was a trace of glue left on the plastic, then you will have to try this option. By rubbing the glue with your fingers, you can roll it into pellets, thereby getting rid of it.
Advice! Do not rub the sticky surface with your nails, as this can easily damage the manicure. This method is only suitable if the label peels off easily from the base.
Method 2 - essential oil
With the help of essential oils, you can carry out not only cosmetic procedures, but also fight the sticky price tag. To do this, apply a little oil to the remaining glue and rub the surface with a rag, trying to get rid of the mark. Then the problem area should be wiped with a paper napkin. A similar procedure can be repeated if the results were not achieved the first time. At the final stage, the plastic should be wiped with glass cleaner.
How can I remove the residue and clean the plastic?
In addition to home remedies, special remedies can help. They come in a compact package that allows you to keep the sticker remover handy and are effective.
Since plastic is a demanding material when it comes to cleaning conditions, before purchasing a new product, it is recommended to study the instructions and find out whether the product can be used on plastic .
HG
The product is available in liquid form. Packaging volume – 0.3 l, cost about 500 rubles. Contains up to 15% nonionic surfactants.
Application procedure:
- Apply to glue or sticker.
- Leave for 5 minutes.
- Rub with a brush.
- If cleaning does not help once, repeat again.
Advantages of use:
- efficiency;
- Ease of use.
Flaw:
- persistent unpleasant odor;
- price.
Glutoclean
The product, made in Germany, is designed to remove stickers from various surfaces, including plastic. The price of 500 ml is about 600 rubles. The composition contains non-ionic surfactants (5%).
Application:
- Dampen a cloth with Glutoclean.
- Moisten the remaining sticker marks.
- Leave for 1-2 minutes.
- Rub with a brush.
- Rinse.
- Wipe off.
Advantages of use:
- careful attitude towards the surface being cleaned;
- high efficiency;
- ease of use.
Minuses:
- not low cost;
- Packaging is not convenient in all cases;
- repeated exposure may be necessary.
KUDO
The product is produced in Russia, has a 0.4 liter aerosol package, suitable for use on glass, plastic, ceramics and other surfaces.
The drug has a thick form that is well distributed over the surface. On average, one bottle should be enough to treat 2 m². The cost of a bottle is about 350 rubles.
The product has many advantages:
- good removal of traces of glue, including old ones;
- ease of use;
- economical consumption;
- affordable price.
Method 4 - hair dryer
A fairly quick option to fix the problem is to use a hair dryer.
This method involves the following steps:
- The sticker must be held under a hot air stream for 45 seconds;
- then you should try to tear off the label again;
- if you couldn’t get rid of the paper, then you need to hold the hair dryer over the plastic for another 30-40 seconds;
- If the sticker also fails to be removed the second time, you should resort to another option.
Advice! Be careful! A hair dryer can melt plastic.
Secrets to removing glue stains
It is necessary not to fight, but to “agree.” After all, you cannot buy a product in a store without a label. Even if it is not there, sellers will have to find a certificate of conformity and stick the appropriate tag: these are the rules of the game in the modern world. If so, arm yourself with patience and understanding and begin removal.
You bought a product, tore off the label, but the trace remains. Proceed with removal immediately while it is fresh, otherwise the sticky mass will attract dust, lint and turn into an explosive mixture, which will take more time.
The adhesive mass is afraid of heat, so just heat this place with a hairdryer. The hot mode will be unnecessary; the medium mode will suffice, otherwise you may inadvertently ruin the thing. Surely you have a hair dryer for drying your hair, you don’t have to have a construction hair dryer.
If you want to use heavy artillery right away, because you think that heating is like a poultice for the dead, then buy a chemical. Of course, be careful first, they can be aggressive:
- I still remember the hole on my apron caused by a drop of hydrochloric acid in chemistry class when we studied the topic of acids.
- Soak a cotton pad in the solution and rub the base of the fabric somewhere inconspicuous.
The genie will not appear, so this is not Aladdin’s lamp, but you will understand whether it is worth applying the solution to the stain. If there are no complications, work with the dirty area and then wash the area with soapy water.
Method 5 - Cleaning Products
Using special citrus-based cleaners (which includes citric acid) you can remove the problematic mark. Quite often, many people use “Mr. Muscle”. When using this option, spray a small amount of the product onto the problem area. After this, you need to give the chemical time to absorb into the stain. Then the surface is wiped with a rag or napkin, and the area is rinsed with clean water.
Cleaning glue from glass
You can use pesticides and try heat treatment. Melamine sponges will scratch the glass, it is better to read and select the one you need:
- Spray with oil;
- Heat with a hairdryer, pour boiling water over it;
- Soak with soap, baking soda and water.
- Take vinegar or gasoline.
Now scrape off this soaked mass. Cutting and piercing objects will scratch the glass, look for something gentle. The softened mass must not be removed with a sharp object. It is better to take a soft spatula, an old bank card, etc.
Method 6 - medical alcohol
It won't be difficult to get rid of the glue using regular medical alcohol. Products that contain alcohol are also ideal for solving this problem. It makes sense to pay attention to deodorant, vodka, perfume, cologne. First of all, you need to apply a small amount of product to the sponge. Then wipe the problem area. At the final stage, wipe the surface again with a paper towel.
Advice! All products (be it medical alcohol, essential oils, etc.) must be tested before use. To do this, you need to apply a small amount of the solvent used to an inconspicuous area and monitor the reaction of the plastic. In some cases, the surface may become deformed or lose color under the influence of a strong agent.
Stickers on cars and household appliances
Removing a label from a car is quite simple; for this you will need:
- household hair dryer;
- car cleaner;
- construction hairdryer (installed at gas stations and service stations).
Read more ► How to wash the outside of a window without streaks if it doesn’t open and you can’t reach it
When exposed to hot air, the paper peels off easily, and its sticky layer is removed with a plastic scraper . Do not use a metal sponge - it will scratch the car's paint.
Under the influence of hot air, the paper peels off easily, and its sticky layer is removed with a plastic scraper
To clean equipment use:
- oil: corn, olive, sunflower;
- cleaners;
- hairdryer
After completing the procedure, wash the devices with soapy water or dish soap. Cleaning methods that are used for plastic are also suitable for household appliances.
Method 7 - table vinegar
Using table vinegar will solve the problem. You should get rid of the sticker in this order:
- Apply a small amount of vinegar to the sponge and treat the surface;
- leave the label on for 20 minutes so that the product has time to be absorbed;
- using a razor blade, scrape off the remaining label;
- After this, it is necessary to remove any remaining glue from the plastic by wiping the surface with a damp cloth.
Method 8 - disinfectant wipe + salt
Another effective method for dealing with sticky bases is this option. First, pour a small amount of fine kitchen salt onto the problem area. This manipulation will prevent the glue from curling. Then use a disinfectant wipe to wipe the surface. It is recommended to use as many wipes as needed. At the final stage, the remaining glue is removed with a damp cloth.
Method 9 - vegetable oil
Vegetable oil will help remove the glue. You can use olive, rapeseed or refined sunflower oil. Apply a small amount of oil to a rag and then treat the sticker. It is recommended to leave the label for 12 hours, allowing the oil to absorb into the sticky base. After this, use a razor blade to try to remove the sticker. If the result was not achieved the first time, then this manipulation must be repeated.
Peanut butter also provides the desired effect. When using peanut butter, you need to spread a small amount of the component onto the adhesive base and allow it to be absorbed. After this, use warm water and soap to wash off any remaining glue.
Lemon or lemon juice to remove tape marks and price tags
Everyone knows that lemon is sour. The citric acid contained in it is an excellent solvent and degreases surfaces. Freshly squeezed lemon juice can be used to remove glue from furniture; it will not harm polishing or varnish if you do not leave it for a long time. It is also suitable for cleaning clothes from sticky traces; after soaking a section of fabric in lemon juice, the item should be immediately washed or rinsed in plenty of water. Suitable for cleaning almost all surfaces: plastic, metal, glass, ceramic. If you don’t have fresh fruit on hand, you can use a paste of citric acid powder and warm water.
Now you know everything about removing sticky residue. Stickers with barcodes will not overshadow the joy of buying and using a new item.
Method 10 - nail polish remover
This product will allow you to effectively get rid of glue. Before using nail polish remover, it is very important to familiarize yourself with its composition. You should check that the composition does not contain acetone. The product must be applied to the label for 5 minutes, allowing it to be absorbed. Then remove any remaining glue using circular movements.
Advice! If you use nail polish remover without first familiarizing yourself with the composition, you can easily damage the product. Some brands contain acetone, which can melt plastic. It will be easy to protect your item from damage by following this recommendation.
Features of scrubbing from different surfaces
When choosing a specific method for removing marks from a sticker, it is important to take into account its size and the material on which the treatment will be carried out. The wrong choice of cleaning agent can lead to deterioration in the appearance of the item and deformation of the coating.
From plastic
There are different types of plastic that differ not only in appearance, but also in physical properties - density, hardness, resistance to external influences. The best options for removing sticker residue from plastic:
- cleaning with soda and soap solution;
- heating the adhesive trace with a hairdryer;
- use of gasoline or alcohol.
When using any chemicals, it is recommended to first test the reaction on an inconspicuous place on the object.
From glass
Fragile glass cannot be damaged even by high temperatures or household chemicals, but large abrasives can cause scratches on its surface. Therefore, the following methods are suitable:
- use of oil or fat;
- heating with a hairdryer;
- treatment with any chemical composition: vinegar, alcohol, acetone or gasoline.
The softened adhesive mass must be removed from the glass as carefully as possible so as not to leave scratches on its surface. For this purpose it is best to use thick fabric.
From ceramics
Most often, ceramics are used for dishes and other items that come into contact with food. Therefore, you should not use strong chemicals. Cleaning adhesive on ceramic surfaces is no different from cleaning glass. But alternative methods can be used:
- Rub the stain with a slice of lemon, remove any remaining glue with a damp sponge and rinse the product with water.
- For old stains, nail polish remover is suitable. To do this, you need to moisten a cotton pad in it and rub the traces of the sticker with pressure. Remove the residue with a sponge and rinse the ceramic item with plenty of water.
After cleaning, it is advisable to wash the ceramic product under running hot water using any detergent.
From the tree
The most effective and simplest way to remove adhesive from wood is high temperature treatment. To do this, you can use a hairdryer, as well as go over the dirt with a heated iron, after placing a sheet of paper or cloth. After exposure to heat, the remaining glue remains to be removed with a scraper or spatula.
Use caution when using hot air on varnished wood products. Too high a temperature may damage the surface.
From metal
Metal surfaces can be cleaned well using almost any of the above methods. Can be used:
- soap solution;
- hot air;
- solvents and vinegar;
- oil-containing products.
If the metal surface is glossy, you should not use soda or a melamine sponge - the abrasive in their composition can lead to small scratches. And if there is fresh paintwork, it is not recommended to use vinegar and kerosene - they can lead to paint deformation.
After removing the sticker, an adhesive base almost always remains, which attracts dust and dirt. There are many simple ways to deal with such contamination; when choosing a specific method, it is important to consider the type of material and its coating.
Method 11 - masking tape
It is also easy to remove the glue using regular masking tape. To do this, just stick adhesive tape on the sticky mark. Then you need to fix the tape in your hand and tear it off in one sharp movement. If after the first attempt there is still a small amount of glue left on the plastic, then the procedure must be repeated.
Useful tips
By following a few simple tips, it will not be difficult to extend the life of a new item and save time:
- When working with colored or delicate surfaces, you should be as careful as possible. In this case, use a regular eraser (soft side) to rub the problem area. It is not difficult to remove eraser marks using a cloth previously soaked in a soap solution.
- It will be easier to completely remove the entire price tag from the plastic if you pull the piece of paper in the right direction (usually determined experimentally). If you tear off the label from the opposite side, you will not be able to remove it completely.
- When removing price tag residue, it is more effective to use a toothbrush instead of a rag. This option will allow you to quickly deal with the problem, however, it is not suitable for delicate surfaces.
Using ordinary means at hand, it will not be difficult to remove the remaining glue from the plastic. If the chosen method did not give the desired result, it makes sense to choose another option. When working with delicate plastic, you must be as careful as possible, as you can very easily damage the base. When using any product, you should test its effect on an inconspicuous area of plastic. This precaution will help keep the new item safe.
We scrub the plastic with our own hands (step by step)
Plastic products have different properties. The disadvantage of most plastics is their low heat resistance and sensitivity to aggressive substances.
We must take this into account.
- Prepare a paste-like mixture from water, soda and drops of any washing gel. Apply to the surface, leave for a while and rub again.
- Point the hairdryer at the piece of paper and, turning on the minimum power, tear it off.
- Wipe off the sticky mass with solvent, kerosene, alcohol, vinegar.
If you plan to use chemicals, test them on an invisible part first.
If you plan to use aggressive substances for cleaning, a test treatment of an inconspicuous fragment must be carried out.
