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DIY ways to get your glassware, windows & windshields residue-free
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Stickers can easily be removed from lots of different glass surfaces with plenty of items you can find lying around your home, like dish soap, white vinegar, a hair dryer, rubbing alcohol, and more. In this article, we’ll give you a quick rundown of the best ways to remove sticker residue from glass (without damaging your items in the process).

How do you remove stickers from glass?

Soak the glass item (if possible) in a hot, soapy water mixture to soften the sticker and make it easier to remove. Alternatively, soak a few cotton balls in white vinegar or rubbing alcohol and place them on top of the sticker for several minutes; then, remove the sticker with your fingers.

1

Hot water & soap

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2

White vinegar

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove a Sticker from Glass
    Dip a few cotton balls or a paper towel sheet in a little bit of white vinegar and drape them on top of the sticker (or leftover residue). Leave the vinegar in place for about 5 minutes before attempting to remove the sticker and its residue. [2] If you’re still struggling after 5 minutes of soaking, leave the vinegar-soaked paper towel or cotton balls in place for a little longer.
    • Vinegar is safe to use on glass—in fact, some commercial cleaning brands (like Windex) use vinegar in some of their glass-cleaning products.
4

Rubbing alcohol

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove a Sticker from Glass
    Dip part of a clean cloth in rubbing alcohol and scrub at the leftover adhesive. If the residue is especially stubborn, soak an entire paper towel sheet in alcohol and drape it over the sticker. Wait 5 minutes before removing the paper towel and clearing away the residue. [5]
    • Clean off the glass with soap and water once you’re done soaking it with rubbing alcohol.
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove a Sticker from Glass
    Dip a cotton ball or clean rag in some acetone and scrub down the sticker or its leftover adhesive. Acetone is capable of breaking down some tough substances (like super glue) and should easily clear away any stickers that are mucking up your glass. [6]
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7

Plastic scraper

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove a Sticker from Glass
    Grab a plastic item with a blunt edge, like a credit card, debit card, gift card, or the blunt edge of a plastic knife. Guide the plastic edge along the surface of the sticker and adhesive to scrape it away from the glass. [8]
    • Auto care professionals sometimes recommend using razor blades to scrape glass. [9] If you use a razor, be extremely careful so you don’t accidentally scratch the surface.
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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove a Sticker from Glass
    Have some spare erasers lying around your home? Take one and grind it over the leftover sticker adhesive repeatedly. As you rub, the adhesive will start to come off with the eraser. [10]
    • Any eraser can work for this, but you’ll probably have better luck using a large one that’s easy to grip.
10

Cooking oil

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove a Sticker from Glass
    Dip a paper towel sheet into whatever type of cooking oil you have on hand, like canola, olive, or vegetable oil. Place the soaked portion of the paper towel over the sticker and let it sit for around 10 minutes. Then, use a clean paper towel to scrub the loosened sticker residue from the glass. [13]
    • A plastic scraping tool can also do the trick.
11

Coconut oil & baking soda

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove a Sticker from Glass
    Mix 1 US tbsp (15 mL) of coconut oil and 2 tbsp of baking soda (35 g) together and apply them to the surface of the sticker. Leave the mixture alone for 15 minutes before removing the rest of the sticker with your fingers. Once the sticker is totally gone, clean off the glass item. [14]
    • If you’re working with a large sticker, you might need a larger amount of coconut oil and baking soda. Just be sure to always mix the oil and baking soda at a 1:2 ratio.
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13

Commercial cleaner

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove a Sticker from Glass
    Storebought cleaners like Goo-Gone are great at removing sticker residue. Check the packaging instructions before using the product to achieve the best possible results. Most brands will likely tell you to spread the product over the adhesive, wait a certain amount of time, and then scrub away the product. [16]
    • Some people swear by using The Pink Stuff to clear away sticker residue from glass. [17]
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How do I remove a sticker from a glass oven door?
    Michelle Driscoll, MPH
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    Expert Answer
    To remove a sticker from a glass oven door, you can try any of the methods listed in this article. It is always best to start out with the mildest solution first, which is usually hot soapy water.
  • Question
    Does rubbing alcohol help remove stickers?
    Michelle Driscoll, MPH
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    Michelle Driscoll is the Owner of Mulberry Maids, which is based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With five years of experience, her business specializes in cleaning homes and small offices. She holds a Masters in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
    Founder, Mulberry Maids
    Expert Answer
    Yes, it can be effective, as it is a solvent and can help to break down the sticker glue.
  • Question
    How do I get rid of quick glue paper that has been stuck on my glass window for years?
    Community Answer
    Use rubbing alcohol, it should do the trick.
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      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To remove a sticker from glass, try soaking the object in hot, soapy water for 10 to 30 minutes. After that, the sticker should peel away easily. If the sticker leaves adhesive residue on the glass after you remove it, make a paste with baking soda and cooking oil and apply it to the area. Let the paste soak in for a few minutes, then use a wash cloth or sponge to wipe the remaining adhesive away! To learn about additional techniques using rubbing alcohol and WD-40, read on!

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