Method 1: Pinch with your fingers
In some cases, you can try to use your fingers to "pinch" the remaining adhesive on the label into small balls.
1. Check how sticky the remaining adhesive on the label is. If it's really sticky, don't try this method as it will only make the situation worse.
2. If it is not very sticky, use your fingers to pinch the residue back and forth to form small balls of adhesive. Remove the balls and throw them away.
Don’t pick with your nails, otherwise they will break easily.
3. Check whether all remaining adhesive has been cleaned up. If not, continue to pinch, or continue to use one of the following methods to clean up.
Method 2: Use cooking oil or spray
Cooking oil or spray is mild and readily available in most homes.
1. Choose an oil. Most oils will work but olive or vegetable oil is best. Try it on a small, inconspicuous area first to see if it leaves a stain.
2. Pour or spray a little onto a paper towel or a clean rag. Cover the label area with a paper towel or rag and let sit for a few minutes.
3. Take off the rag. Use your fingers (not fingernails) or a plastic scraper (a plastic knife will also work) to scrape off any remaining adhesive.
4. Repeat the operation if necessary. If applicable, use a detergent such as soapy water or window cleaner for final cleaning.
Method 3: Use essential oils
Many essential oils can remove adhesive residue from labels on various substances, such as glass or ceramics.
1. Pay attention to what items you use essential oils on. In some cases, essential oils can permanently stain surfaces, such as unstained wood. In other cases, essential oils can react with the materials they come into contact with to form stains, such as on some metals. Try it in a small, inconspicuous area first. In general, essential oils work well on glass, ceramic and tile surfaces.
2. Use essential oils such as eucalyptus or tea tree oil. Many other oils will work but may not be safe to use and may be expensive and not cost-effective for removing adhesive residue from labels.
3. Dip a few drops of essential oil onto a clean cloth.
4. Use the oil-dipped area of ??the cloth to wipe away the remaining adhesive. Rub back and forth. Remove the wiped residue from the cloth and surface and throw it away.
5. Repeat until the surface is no longer sticky. If applicable, use a detergent such as soapy water or window cleaner for final cleaning.
Method 4: Use citrus-specific cleaner
1. Buy a bottle of citrus cleaner at the hardware store. But they all contain citric acid that can penetrate sticky substances.
2. If you don’t have this product readily available, a cut lemon will do, or if necessary, an orange.
Use as directed on package. Generally, it will be recommended that you spray some on the affected area, then wait a few minutes before wiping it off.
3. Read the instructions first to ensure which surface the product is suitable for. Some surfaces can be damaged by this cleaner.
Let dry. Polish if necessary.
Method 5: Use alcohol
1. Choose the appropriate alcohol. For example, rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol) or a strong, plain liquor like vodka. Avoid using any sweet or flavored alcohol as the sugar content will create more stickiness.
2. Spray or pat a little alcohol on a paper towel or soft clean rag.
3. Cover the wet area with a paper towel or rag over the adhesive area. Let the stain absorb the alcohol for a few minutes.
4. Remove the paper towel or rag. Use your fingers or a plastic scraper to remove any remaining adhesive soaked in alcohol. Any remaining adhesive should be easily removed (use a plastic knife if necessary).
5. Repeat this operation if necessary.
6. Dry. Polish if necessary.
Method 6: Use sealing tape
This method is useful for removing price tags that you tried to remove but ended up tearing in half. It can also help you remove any remaining adhesive residue and any remaining price tags.
1. Wrap a piece of sealing tape around your index finger and middle finger. Let it form a circle, sticky side out.
2. Paste the sticky part of the sealing tape on the remaining adhesive. Tear it off again. The sticky part of the sealing tape will stick to the adhesive on the surface and remove some of the adhesive. Repeat until clean.
3. If the tape becomes non-stick before you finish, you can use the other side or replace it with a new one.
Method 7: Use Vinegar
1. Wash off old collage or adhesive tape with vinegar:
Apply a layer of vinegar to the sticky area.
Let it soak in for a while.
Wash off.
2. Soak the labels or residual adhesive left on the glass or ceramics in vinegar. This is ideal on a budget - vinegar is an effective solution for removing price tags and anything else a kid might have stuck to your windows.
Soak the remaining adhesive with undiluted vinegar.
Scrape off the adhesive with a plastic knife or other similar tool.
Repeat if necessary.
Let dry. Polish if necessary.
Method 8: Use household kerosene (liquid paraffin)
1. Use a little household kerosene. Note that in the UK, Southeast Asia and South Africa kerosene generally refers to liquid paraffin.
2. Soak a soft cloth with kerosene.
3. Wipe the remaining adhesive with a soaked soft cloth.
4. Wipe until the remaining adhesive is wiped off.
Tip:
Other cleaners that can be used include WD-40, patented products, spray deodorant or perfume, (non-oily) nail polish remover, lighter fuel, etc. Just remember that the more ingredients a product contains, the more likely it is to leave marks on absorbent surfaces such as fibers, plastics and wood.
You can make a good scraper out of plastic cutlery, old credit or bank cards, or a special plastic paint scraper