Any hacks for removing a stubborn sticker off glass?

10/12/24 6:12am

I want to get this old sticker off my car window and it's driving me nuts. How do people do this? Am I doomed to live with this splotchy, faded sticker on my car window for all eternity?

Chad Zani
Auto Detailing Expert

10/12/24 8:19am

This is one of the old tricks that hasn't really changed much in the last 20 years—use a razor blade to scrape a corner up and work the sticker off using your fingers and the razor blade. And then if there's glue residue, just grab a new razor and use it to scrape the glue gunk away.

Guy Peters
House Cleaning Professional

10/12/24 9:15am

For a smooth surface like glass, you can also try using a card to scrape it off if you don't have a razor blade. I wouldn’t recommend using a credit card (just in case something goes wrong) so instead try using a grocery store membership card or something similar.

Heat can also help loosen up adhesive residue and you can try using a hair dryer to heat up the sticker and then peel it off.

Some of the more powerful solutions are solvents like acetone or rubbing alcohol. These will quickly remove leftover adhesive once you've gotten most of the sticker off.

WikiSealChaser638

10/12/24 12:33pm

My grandmother had a trick for this that I always thought was really random and clever. She’d spritz the sticker with WD-40 and just wait for the WD-40 to air dry naturally. For whatever reason, the WD-40 would break up the adhesive and the sticker would sort of crumple up. Then, you could just peel it right off by hand.

WikiKoalaChaser891

10/12/24 4:46pm

I think the WD-40 thing works for the same reason vinegar, rubbing alcohol, and acetone nail polish remover work. They’re all acidic solvents. Any of these products should help break down the sticker glue and make scraping it up easy.

WikiCapybaraCaster245

10/13/24 11:51am

The hairdryer thing works great. You just heat the sticker with a hairdryer on the highest setting for like a minute or so. The glue from the sticker will soften as it melts and then you can just use a paper towel to wipe the remaining gunk away. Works for any glass surface.

You can also try oil. Anything like baby oil or olive oil will help break down the sticker and the adhesive. Windex is a good one to try, too, and Goo-Gone works wonders if you have some!

What do other wikiHow readers have to say?

Other wikiHow readers have submitted their own tips on topics similar to this one.

Reader Tips from How to Get Sticker Residue Off with Common Household Products

Anonymous Reader

Mix oil and baking soda in a 1:1 or 1:2 ratio. Apply it on the residue and leave it few hours depending on how much sticky residue is left. After that, just wipe the stickers off with some paper towels.

Anonymous Reader

Baby wipes are my go-to solution for sticky residues on surfaces. It takes some moderate scrubbing but often works nicely, especially when followed up by buffing with a rag or face cloth.

Anonymous Reader

Hairspray is a good residue remover. Spray hairspray on affected area and wipe it up with a rag. Clean the spot with water and soap if necessary.

Reader Tips from 13 Ways to Remove Stickers from Glass

Anonymous Reader

I like to use a steam cleaner to remove the residue. Heat up water in your steamer, and spray it directly on the sticker to help lift up any sticky residue.

Anonymous Reader

I find that melamine foam works well. It did wonders for me and cleared the sticker residue away in under a minute.

Reader Tips from How to Remove Stickers

Anonymous Reader

If you don't have rubbing alcohol, a strong spirit like unflavored vodka can also do the trick. Wet a corner of a paper towel and gently scrub the sticker to lift it from the surface.

Anonymous Reader

I like to use Goo Gone that's specifically made to clean up sticky residue. Just rub it into the surface, and wipe it up with a clean towel.