In most cases, stickers are made of a material designed to be peeled off or repositioned elsewhere. However, it can happen that the adhesives attached to the glass are particularly stubborn and leave unsightly residues, especially if they have been made to permanently adhere to the surface. With the help of the right products, paper stickers and decals can be removed from the glass without leaving a sticky trace.
Steps
Method 1 of 6: Use Hot Water and Soap
Step 1. Immerse the glass object in hot soapy water
Soaking it for 10-30 minutes should help soften the paper or vinyl of the sticker, so it will be easier to peel off with your fingers.
- Water and soap help dissolve the glue and dissolve its bond with the glass.
- If you can't immerse the glass object in water, soak a cloth or sponge in warm water and moisten the affected area.
Step 2. Remove the sticker
Use your fingers to gently lift it, or scratch it with a dull knife. Just gently lift one corner of the sticker with the blade, then slide it between the sticker and the glass until it is completely removed.
- Be sure to use a dull touch knife. Blunt knives have worn out over time, so when you use them on a glass surface, you don't run the risk of scratching it.
- Alternatively, you can buy a scraper designed to remove adhesives from various surfaces.
Method 2 of 6: Using Sodium Bicarbonate
Step 1. Immerse the glass object in hot soapy water
Soaking it for 10-30 minutes should be enough to soften the paper or vinyl of the sticker. It will therefore be easier to remove it with your fingers.
- Water and soap help dissolve the glue and dissolve its bond with the glass.
- If you can't immerse the glass object in water, soak a cloth or sponge in warm water and moisten the affected area.
Step 2. Remove the sticker
Lift it gently with your fingers, but you can also use a dull knife. You simply have to gently lift one corner of the sticker with the blade, and then slide it between the sticker and the glass until it is completely eliminated.
- Make sure you choose a knife that is dull to the touch. Having worn out with use, when it comes into contact with the glass surface, there is no risk of scratching it.
- Alternatively, you can buy a scraper specifically designed for removing adhesives from various surfaces.
- In some cases, the adhesive can be safely peeled off after leaving the item to soak in hot soapy water.
Step 3. Mix equal amounts of baking soda and cooking oil
Baking soda is a natural, non-toxic product that is safe for pets and children. It is a universally valid substance for cleaning, in fact it helps to dissolve dirt and grease. With the addition of oil, a thick compound can be created, which is easy to apply to any surface.
Any type of vegetable oil will do. You can use olive, rapeseed and so on
Step 4. Protect adjacent surfaces that you don't want to clean or damage
Cover them with a cloth or newspaper, to be fixed with masking tape. In this way, they will be protected from the dough.
- The surfaces to be protected are varied, including those made of plastic, painted, wood or cloth.
- Baking soda is relatively safe, so if you accidentally drop it on an adjacent surface or skin, it shouldn't cause any problems, but get rid of it right away.
Step 5. Rub the baking soda and oil compound onto the glass surface
Let it act for a few minutes: it will do wonders.
For very stubborn adhesives, leave it on overnight
Step 6. Delete the compound
The paper and glue residues should have softened, so you can wipe them off with a cloth or scrape them off.
Alternatively, you can use an abrasive cloth or sponge, such as a wire wool, to scrub more effectively. However, try not to scratch the glass surface
Method 3 of 6: Using Sodium Carbonate
Step 1. Fill a bucket or sink with hot water and soda ash
Half a cup or a cup should suffice, depending on the amount of water used. Sodium carbonate and hot water have a dissolving function that melts the glue of the adhesive, breaking its bond with the glass surface.
When using soda ash, wear gloves as it can irritate the skin. Carbonate binds better to hard water or water that has many dissolved minerals in it, thus creating a more abrasive foam than baking soda and detergent. As a result, it cleans various surfaces and clothes better
Step 2. Let the object soak for 30 minutes
For more stubborn stickers, you can leave it on longer or overnight.
Step 3. Remove the object from the water
Since soda ash is a much stronger alkaline substance than baking soda, the adhesive should slide off the glass surface or become quite easy to lift.
Remember to wash the item thoroughly after dipping it in soda ash, especially if it is used to hold food and drinks, such as a jar or glass
Method 4 of 6: Using Heat
Step 1. Heat the glass surface
Turn on a hair dryer at the highest temperature and point it at the adhesive for 1-2 minutes. Alternatively, you can leave it in the sun for a couple of hours. The heat should melt the adhesive, but remember that it must be removed immediately, otherwise it could cool and harden again.
If you are going to remove a sticker from your car window, park it in a very sunny spot for 2-3 hours
Step 2. Peel off the adhesive
Gently lift it with your fingers. Be careful: the surface will be hot. Alternatively, use a dull knife to remove it. Gently lift one corner of the sticker, then insert the blade between the sticker and the glass until it is completely removed.
Make sure you choose a knife that is dull to the touch. Cordless knives that have worn out, when used on a glass surface, do not run the risk of scratching it
Step 3. Use soap, oil, or another suitable substance to get rid of the glue
Stubborn adhesives can have a sticky residue, so further action is required.
Method 5 of 6: Using Isopropyl Alcohol
Step 1. Pour isopropyl alcohol onto a paper towel, handkerchief, cotton swab, Q-tip, or cloth
This method is especially useful if you can't immerse the glass object in a bucket of water. Plus, it causes relatively little clutter.
Isopropyl alcohol is flammable, so be careful. Do not use it near the stove or in a heated area. Use it in a well-ventilated place
Step 2. Rub the sticker with alcohol
You should be able to take it out right away, but you may also need to repeat these steps until it is lifted.
- Isopropyl alcohol is a solvent, which is a liquid that dissolves other substances, such as the sticky glue of adhesives. It dries almost immediately, so it can be used to clean electrical items without risking the same damage that water would cause.
- Try placing an alcohol-soaked cloth on the glass surface to release the adhesive.
Method 6 of 6: Using the WD-40
Step 1. Protect yourself and any surfaces that could be damaged
WD-40 is an effective solvent for dissolving adhesives, but it is also a very powerful chemical solution. Make sure you don't splash it on yourself, on your clothes, or on the glass surface.
Step 2. Spray WD-40 evenly on the adhesive
To prevent it from soiling the rest of the glass, it is best to spray the product on a clean cloth and wipe it over the adhesive.
Make sure you protect your hands with gloves
Step 3. Wipe off the adhesive with a clean cloth
The sticker or decal should come off immediately by lightly rubbing the surface. For particularly stubborn adhesives, you may want to use a dull scraper or knife to remove them.
Advice
There are many specific products for removing stickers. Read the labels and instructions carefully
Warnings
- Beware of solvent - it often ruins plastics, fabric, or other delicate surfaces.
- Try to use a stainless steel blade, as it won't scratch the surface.
- If you use a hair dryer or heat gun, try not to get the glass cracked.
- Avoid scratching the glass. When using blades, knives and credit cards, apply light pressure.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after using a solvent.
