How do I Remove Adhesive Labels?
METHODS FOR LABEL AND STICKER RESIDUE REMOVAL
When it comes to labeling on products, adhesive residue can be a big issue. From price tags to product descriptions, stickers are on everything and it can be quite frustrating to deal with adhesive label removal if the label in question isn’t optimized to come off the product surface easily. When dealing with the left over adhesive residue, there are several different ways to remove sticker residue from a variety of surfaces. Read on to find out the best ways to easily remove adhesive labels.
STICKER REMOVAL TECHNIQUES
There are two methods, heat and lubricant, that can be effective on almost any surface for sticker removal. Before diving into either these methods, you should try to peel away as much of the sticker paper by hand as possible. Scrapers, like credit cards and butter knives, can come in handy during this first step but you’ll want to be cautious not accidentally scratch the product surface below the residue. Once you’ve gotten off as much of the actual label material as possible, you’ll likely be left with some remnants of adhesive to remove. Below, we’ll list a few how-to guides on tackling this sticky residue.
REMOVING A LABEL USING HEAT
To remove a label using a heat source, try warm water or a hair dryer to remove that stubborn, sticky residue. By heating up the surface, the adhesive’s grip will weaken. Once the adhesive softens enough, simply scrape to remove.
USING WD-40 AND GOO GONE TO LIFT ADHESIVE
WD-40 and Goo Gone are two lubricant products that can tackle adhesive residue in quick time. First, you’ll want to soak the label remainder in the product for about five to ten minutes. Then, grab a sponge or cloth and wash away the sticker residue and lubricant.
SURFACE-SPECIFIC LABEL REMOVAL
Often, removing adhesive from certain surfaces requires a dedicated method. Below we’ll walk you through how to get rid of adhesive on wood, metal, glass, leather, and even fabric.
GETTING STICKERS OFF WOOD
When it comes to removing labels off of wood, you’ll want to start by scraping off as much of the label as you can with a dull blade or other scraping tool, so as not to scratch the wood. Then, you can try to apply heat by use a hair dryer. Don’t use a water removal method as this can cause damage to the wood. The heat will soften the adhesive and, voila! Simply wipe off the remainder of the label with a soft cloth. You can also try a lubricant method, as mentioned above. But, be sure to test removal products first in an inconspicuous location!
HOW TO GET LABELS OFF OF METAL
To get adhesive off of metal surfaces, you’ll want to try a lubricant method after scraping off as much of the label as possible. Using something like WD-40, rub the area until it is adhesive free. If the lubricant does not work, try using a heat source like a hair dryer to loosen the adhesive. You can also opt for acetone, found in many nail polish removers, to get rid of sticker remnants.
LIFTING ADHESIVE FROM GLASS SURFACES
To remove labels from glass, you’ll first want to want to wash the glass surface with soap and water or by using a glass cleaner. Then, add a few drops of rubbing alcohol to a soft cloth and rub the sticky adhesive in a circular motion until it is loosened. Then, carefully scrape off the residue with a plastic card.
HOW TO REMOVE ADHESIVE RESIDUE FROM LEATHER
Removing adhesive residue from leather starts with gently scraping off as much of the sticker label as possible. Then, you’ll want to grab a cotton ball and add a few drops of baby oil to it. Rub the cotton ball and baby oil in a circular motion on the area where the adhesive remains. When the adhesive has loosened, wipe the area with a cloth dampened in white vinegar. This will remove the adhesive and baby oil from the leather. Finally, you’ll want to make sure to dry the leather with a lint-free cloth.
GETTING STICKERS OFF OF FABRIC
When it comes to getting stickers off of fabric, there are two methods to use: one for natural-fibers and one for synthetic materials. For natural fibers, soak the area in acetone nail polish remover or warm white vinegar. Once the adhesive begins to loosen, you can use a butter knife to gently scrap away the residue. Then, simply wash the fabric as a final step. For synthetics, you can freeze the material for about 45 minutes. Then, try to pull off as much of the residue as possible by hand or using tweezers. If any adhesive is left, grab a cloth and soak the area with water and a couple drops of dish soap. You can scrub away the final remains and then give the fabric a wash.
OPTIMIZING YOUR LABEL FOR EASY REMOVAL
The common factor that contributes to hard-to-remove label residue is the wrong combination of substrate and adhesive for the product surface. To ensure your customers won’t have to worry about these methods for and sticker residue removal, get in touch with us here at Derksen Co. to find out how you can optimize your label for easy removal and create a seamless user experience for your products. We’ll help you pick the proper label material and adhesive for the product type, surface, and usage, making sure your customers don’t need to wonder how to remove adhesive labels when using your products. You can contact our team at team@derksenco.com, call us at 920-685-4000, or drop us a message using our contact us form.