We all know WD-40 works for making things move when they’re seized, but it also works better than anything for getting rid of all traces of adhesive left behind after peeling off stubborn stickers from things you buy.
It works on nearly all surfaces* – even coated paper! (just be sure not to leave it to soak into the paper.)
Instead of peeling slowly for ages with your fingernail or doing that peel-stick-peel-stick thing for half an hour, soak a paper towel in WD-40 and dab it on the offending sticker remains, wait a few minutes, then wipe off. (*if on coated paper, don’t let it soak, just gently rub it.) Clean the item afterwards to remove the oil left behind.
*it’s best to test a small area first if the object is painted or porous, and be careful with items meant to be food safe, because WD-40 is obviously not food safe.
This is something I wish more people knew, because soooo many manufacturers and retailers put stickers in the worst places and with near-permanent adhesive. I hope this helps you!
If you don’t have any, or want a food safe alternative, soak the remaining sticker in cooking oil.
Isopropyl alcohol also works.
Oh, I didn’t know about cooking oil, that’s awesome.
Alcohol works, but it will destroy many finishes (painted or stained furniture, coated paper, some coated metals, some plastics and rubbers, etc), whereas WD-40 is safe for most finishes.
Sounds like cooking oil may be as well – gonna have to try that, thanks!
Cooking oil helps with scrubbing it off so that it doesn’t continue to stick. Good for scraping off the residue.
Let is know once you test it, thanks
I’ve tested it on nearly everything over the years. It works on everything so far. I didn’t have any a bit ago and used alcohol instead, and it ruined the rubber surface. That’s why I posted this. I should have been less impatient and waited till I had some. Posted so others can learn before they ruin something like I just did.
The cooking oil?
I’m sorry, I answered your question from my inbox instead of in context in this thread, so I lost context.
I haven’t tried cooking oil, just WD-40. I’ll try cooking oil as you suggested.
I have some vegetable oil I fried chicken in to make chicken parmesan and since I was lazy the marinara came in a glass bottle that I peeled the label off to keep/reuse. The glue survived the dishwasher yesterday, so I’ll go lay that side in the used vegetable oil and report back in a few hours when I try to get it off.
#excitingfridaynights
Edit update: said glue/jar/oil
Will report back in a bit
Update next day: I forgot about it and left it overnight shitting in the vegetable oil in a frying pan. I went to clean it up this afternoon, and couldn’t find the glue. It dissolved into the oil, so water/soap to get the vegetable oil off… and it’s clean. (Won’t be reusing that oil)
Update: I forgot about it and left it overnight shitting in the vegetable oil in a frying pan. I went to clean it up this afternoon, and couldn’t find the glue. It dissolved into the oil, so water/soap to get the vegetable oil off… and it’s clean. (Won’t be reusing that oil)
forgot about it and left it overnight shitting
You are one hardcore dude…
… sorry, it got a chuckle out of me
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Hand sanitizer frequently works too.
That’s got 70% isopropyl in it. Sometimes perfumes too.
WD-40 is a jack of all trades but master of none. There’s probably a better product, no matter what you’re trying to do, but everyone has a can of WD-40 lying around.
Thanks, this exactly. Each material has its own ideal product or method, but a light rub with WD-40 works on nearly anything (but not what you’re thinking – it’s never lube. It’s poisonous.).
It actually has interesting chemical properties.
YSK: it’s better to be cleaning with chemicals/liquids you won’t have to then clean up with other chemicals/liquids.
Stuff like Alcohol or Naptha which evaporate and don’t leave yet another residue to remove.
Same reason I don’t use goo-gone either.
normal vegetable oil has the same effect on sticker residue, like on jars and such.
Recently I discovered I could use a hair dryer from the thrift store that has a diffuser. I have been gently softening the adhesive and peeling them off, and I have been finding that in most cases, it no longer leaves any adhesive behind!
It’s also great for taking crayon drawings off walls.
Have children to learn hacks ;)
More sticky children hacks, please. :)
I found out bike chain oil works wonders for this as well. I also found out that bike chain oil will make you mildly high at the same time.
That’s not really a bonus. WD-40 will likely also get you high in close quarters – it’s probably more expensive than weed, though, and likely kills more of your brain than is worth it.
I recommend a high THC, mushrooms, or LSD instead. Combustible inhalants are a worse high that will probably give you a headache and then cancer. No bueno.
Oh it wasnt on purpose. Im not advocating it.
Thank you! I actually needed this for some things at work. Godspeed, kind internet stranger.
I would not recommend it though, especially on items made of plastic, finished wood, or rubber. Heat and a scraping tool are better, and barring that, a more mild or more polar solvent. WD-40 is not intended to be a solvent, and isn’t formulated for cleaning household items. It will damage or discolor a lot of materials, and it is really not worth it.
but goo b gone smells so good
Yes, this works with most stickers, but there are some tough bastards that even resist that.
My go to for cleaning sticker residue off glass is wd-40 and a fresh razor blade. Works like a charm and is scratch free.
i use orange oil if i want it to smell nice, goo gone if i don’t care. both work great, the trick is saturating it with oil. mineral oil will work in a pinch too.
It’s also flammable btw.
the goo be gone liquid too,.
