How to Remove Bumper Stickers From Plastic

Try this when you need to remove bumper stickers or decorative stickers from plastic notebooks, containers and cups.

When you need to remove bumper stickers from plastic surfaces, it's not necessary to buy strong, fumed solvents or expensive cleaning products. Most bumper-sticker residue can be successfully removed with a few inexpensive, nontoxic household items and a little elbow grease.

Things You'll Need

• Dish detergent
• Rags
• Blow dryer
• Peanut butter
• Baby oil
• Rubbing alcohol

Instructions

1. Clean the bumper sticker and the surrounding plastic surface with mild dish detergent and rinse the area thoroughly.

2. Using a blow dryer, soften the adhesive by aiming warm air at the bumper sticker for 30 to 40 seconds. Grasp a loosened sticker corner and begin gently pulling it from the plastic. If the sticker is old, it may be difficult to remove. You may need to repeat the blow-dryer treatment more than once.

3. Remove the remaining glue residue or stubborn sticker pieces by saturating the sticker remains in baby oil, peanut butter or rubbing alcohol. Allow the oil or peanut butter to remain on the plastic for 5 to 10 minutes, then wipe the surface clean with a rag.

4. Scrape sticky remnants with a razor blade or paint scraper, being careful not to damage the plastic. If necessary, apply another layer of oil, peanut butter or alcohol to further loosen gummy excess.

5. Wipe the plastic with a clean rag and mild dish detergent after you've completed the sticker removal. It's important to remove leftover oils or alcohol from the plastic to maintain its finish. Rinse the area thoroughly after cleaning and allow it to air-dry.

Tips & Warnings

• Do not apply blow-dryer heat for more than 30 to 40 seconds, as you could damage or warp the plastic surface. If the plastic appears to bubble in the presence of heat, turn the dryer off immediately.