How to Remove Adhesive Residue From Glass

It's so annoying to buy a vase, dish or goblet and remove the price sticker to discover the square of adhesive gunk that the sticker usually leaves behind. Worse, the stuff doesn't want to come off. Scrubbing it in the sink just makes it gum up in spots, and running it through the dishwasher makes it spread. The labels on glass jars and bottles create another problem. It would be really nice to be able to reuse some of those glass containers. It's good for the environment and the pocketbook, but getting the paper off bottles can be a bear. Microwaving them can sometimes loosen the paper enough to peel it away, but that still leaves bands of glue on the glass. Then, if the paper doesn't come off in one piece, you're left with a tattered mess.Want a sure way to safely remove adhesive, glue and some paints from glass or ceramic surfaces? Well, science to the rescue. Your garage and even your cabinets offer some solutions.

Things You'll Need

• Nail polish, lighter fluid or WD-40
• Cotton balls, cotton cloth or paper towel

Instructions

1. Clean the glass with soap and water. Dry your hands thoroughly and hold the glass object firmly. Remove as much paper clinging to the adhesive as possible.

2. Select a cleaning compound to use on the glass. There are a number of cleaners available that will work on most adhesives. They include nail polish (acetone), lighter fluid and WD-40. You can sometimes also remove adhesive with warm soapy water and elbow grease.

3. Apply a small amount of cleaner to a paper towel, cotton ball or cotton cloth.

4. Wipe the area, saturating it. If using WD-40, you can spray the adhesive directly on the glass.

5. Wait a few seconds and wipe the area again with a clean section of cloth. If you are using WD-40, increase the wait time to a few minutes.

6. Repeat the procedure as many times as necessary to remove the adhesive.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have trouble gripping the glass in order to work with it, try using gloves or one of the plastic pads used to open jar lids. Be careful to keep rubber gloves away from the cleaning agent you are using. Some of this stuff can eat plastic and rubber too.

• If a spot is particularly hard to get off, try placing a little water inside the glass or bottle and microwaving it on high for 10 to 15 seconds to soften the adhesive. Wash the glass thoroughly first. Only do this with utility glass like food jars or bottles. Fine glass should never be microwaved.

• When using chemical compounds, always work in a well-ventilated space and dispose of materials such as dirty paper towels and cotton cloths responsibly. Read all manufacturers' instructions about the proper use and disposal of their products. Never spray aerosols near an open flame, food or pet bedding.

• Fragile glass objects should be handled with extreme care. Instead of bearing down hard when cleaning, use a soft touch and repeat applications as many times as needed.

• It's important to clean any chemical residue from the glass after the adhesive has been removed. Even though the liquid may have evaporated, there will be a chemical residue that should be removed with hot, soapy water.