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How to Remove Price Sticker Residue From Plastic Cups

Kallie Johnson

After you've removed the price tag or sticker from your new plastic cups, adhesive residue often remains. Gently rubbing your finger or fingernail over it does little to remove it, but several household products and oils will work to safely remove all the residue without damaging the cup.

Sticker residue can be removed from plastic without causing damage or discoloration.

It may take several attempts or different products to remove all the sticky residue.

Warning

Do not use acetone-based products or paint thinner to remove the residue from plastic. It can weaken and/or discolor the plastic.

Soapy Water

  1. Fill a sink with hot water and a squirt of liquid dish soap. Soak the plastic cup in the hot water for several hours or overnight.

  2. Remove the cup from the water. Wipe away sticker adhesive with a sponge or cloth. Repeat as needed until all residue is removed.

  3. Wash the plastic cup in the dishwasher or by hand when all sticker residue is removed to ensure all soap residue is completely removed prior to use.

Oil

  1. Dip a cotton swab or dampen a cloth with baby oil, vegetable oil, olive oil, eucalyptus oil or tea tree oil.

  2. Allow the oil to work into the sticker adhesive for 15 minutes.

  3. Dip a soft cloth in warm, soapy water, and wipe away all oil and sticker residue. Repeat as needed until all the sticker residue is gone.

  4. Wash the plastic cup in the dishwasher or by hand when all the sticker residue is removed to ensure any oil residue is completely removed prior to use.

Vinegar

  1. Saturate a soft cloth in vinegar.

  2. Set the cloth against the sticker residue. Leave it next to the cup overnight so the vinegar works into the adhesive.

  3. Dip a soft cloth in warm, soapy water, and wipe away all vinegar and sticker residue. Repeat the process as needed until the sticker residue is gone.

  4. Wash the plastic cup in the dishwasher or by hand when all the sticker residue is removed to completely rinse off any vinegar residue.

The Drip Cap

  • After you've removed the price tag or sticker from your new plastic cups, adhesive residue often remains.
  • Remove the cup from the water.
  • Dip a soft cloth in warm, soapy water, and wipe away all oil and sticker residue.
  • Repeat as needed until all the sticker residue is gone.
  • Wash the plastic cup in the dishwasher or by hand when all the sticker residue is removed to ensure any oil residue is completely removed prior to use.