How to Remove Adhesive

Sticky residue left from price tags, bumper stickers, and even Band-Aids are a common and annoying household problem. There are several solutions to try that should remove every type of gummy residue.

Things You'll Need

• Ice cubes
• Peanut butter
• Mayonnaise
• WD-40
• Orange oil cleaner
• Mineral oil
• Petroleum jelly
• Furniture polish
• Toothpaste
• Q-tip
• Sponge
• Dawn dishwashing detergent
• Lighter fluid
• Kerosene
• Paint thinner
• Alcohol
• Vinegar
• Window cleaner
• Paper towel
• Hair spray
• Goo-Be-Gone
• Mr. Erase
• Art gum eraser

Instructions

1. Remove the gum stuck in your daughter's hair with ice cubes. Place one on either side of the glob and freeze until the gum breaks off leaving the hair unharmed. Apply peanut butter to the hair shafts and the residue slides off. Use mayonnaise or cooking oils as well.

2. Remove sticky price tags stuck to wood finished items with petroleum jelly. Use furniture polish or mineral oil to dissolve the gum from wood finish without marring. Sprits on orange oil cleaner because it chemically dissolves the goo in adhesive stickers. Don't allow the orange oil cleaner to puddle on the wood -- spray, wipe and repeat as necessary.

3. Remove band aid adhesive from skinned knees with toothpaste. Work it into a foam and massage it into the adhesive. Apply rubbing alcohol on a Q-tip followed by hand lotion to remove the sticky stuff and clean the grime from the knee.

4. Do not reach for the razor blade to remove shredded bumper stickers from your car. Spray with window cleaner to power off the adhesive. Kerosene or paint thinner as well as lighter fluids and are powerful anti adhesive agents. Do not use them on skin.

5. Apply remedies you use on your skin to remove adhesive caught in fabric fibers. Soak the fabric in vinegar, or use baking soda and water rubbed into a paste and apply to the adhesive stain. Lay stained delicate fabric on a dry washcloth and use a hairdryer to lightly heat the adhesive. Blot it with a paper towel when it is warm and much of the adhesive will absorb onto the paper. Sponge with Dawn dish soap and water to remove what is left.

6. Consider Goo-Gone, a commercial adhesive removal product, on walls. Try Mr. Erase, a dry erasure product. Use an art gum eraser on grungy adhesive based wall marks. Apply soap and water to clean the wall. Dry well, and repaint if necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• Use flammable products in a well ventilated area.

Resources

• More stain removal tips
• Stubborn adhesives