8 Easy Ways That Work

Removing stickers from glass can be tricky. It often leaves behind a stubborn adhesive residue that seems impossible to eliminate. Whether a price tag on a window, a stubborn jar label, or a child’s art project on a shower door is to blame, there are easy and effective ways to remove them using household items.

You might be shocked to learn that hot water and vinegar are surprisingly effective, as are unconventional solutions like WD-40 and ice.

Here are step-by-step instructions for each method and tips to make the process smoother.

How to Remove Stickers from Glass

The adhesive on stickers is generally hard to remove from glass. Without the right supplies and techniques, the process could damage the glass. For example, scraping them off with sharp objects like a razor is not a good idea.

Depending on the type of sticker and how long it has been on the glass, try these methods—or a combination of methods—to remove stickers safely.

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Soak in Hot Water

Hot water will dissolve the sticker and loosen the adhesive. For efficiency, you can add a few drops of dishwashing soap.

1. Fill a bowl or sink with hot water. Do not use boiling water, which may cause the glass to crack.
2. Submerge the glass item in the hot water and let it soak for 10-15 minutes. If you can’t submerge the entire item, use a clean cloth or sponge to saturate the sticker with the water.
3. Remove the glass from the water and peel off the sticker. Use a sponge or your fingers to rub off any remaining adhesive.

Apply Heat with a Hair Dryer or Steamer

This method offers an alternative way to apply heat to the sticker. Always take precautions to avoid injury by directing the heat away from yourself and holding the object at a safe distance.

1. Plug in a hair dryer or steamer and set it to a medium heat setting.
2. Hold the hair dryer or steamer a few inches away from the sticker and heat the sticker for about 30 seconds to 2 minutes.
3. Peel off the sticker slowly while it’s warm. If necessary, use a plastic scraper or the edge of a credit card to remove any leftover adhesive.
4. Clean the item with soapy, warm water or a glass cleaner.

Apply Rubbing Alcohol or Nail Polish Remover

Rubbing alcohol can help break down the sticker adhesive and remove the residue. If you don’t have rubbing alcohol, you can also try using vodka, gin, or nail polish remover.

1. Saturate a cloth or cotton ball with nail remover or rubbing alcohol. Then, place it on the sticker or its residue.
2. Let it sit for about 5-20 minutes to dissolve the adhesive.
3. Peel off the sticker and use the cloth to remove any remaining residue. Repeat the process if needed. Alternatively, use a plastic scraper to remove the sticker from your glass item instead of a cloth.

Use White Vinegar

Distilled white vinegar is a natural solvent that can dissolve the sticker adhesive.

1. Soak a sponge or cloth in white vinegar. Place it over the sticker
2.  and let it sit for 10-20 minutes, then peel off the sticker and scrape off the residue using a soft cloth or plastic scraper to clean off any remaining residue.
3. Clean the glass item with warm, soapy water or glass cleaner.

Saturate with Oil

Oil works as a solvent to break down adhesives. You can use various oil products to lift a sticker off of glass, including olive oil, vegetable oil, or coconut oil.

1. Apply a small amount of oil to the sticker and let it sit for 10-20 minutes to penetrate the adhesive.
2. Use a cloth to rub the sticker and peel it off.
3. Wipe away any remaining adhesive with the cloth.
4. Wash the glass item with warm, soapy water.

Try Stain Remover

Commercial stain removers contain enzymes or solvents that can dissolve the sticker adhesives safely.

1. Remove as much of the sticker as possible, then spray stain remover on any remaining residue.
2. By the directions on the product label, let it sit for the recommended amount of time (usually less than 15 minutes).
3. Peel off the sticker and use a cloth to clean any leftover adhesive.

Ice It

the cooling effect of the ice will neutralize and stiffen the adhesive residue, making it easier to remove.

1. Place an ice pack or ice bag directly on the sticker.
2. Leave it for about 10-15 minutes to harden the adhesive.
3. Peel off or scrape off the sticker while it’s frozen.
4. Use a cloth to rub off any remaining residue.

Spray With WD-40

If other cleaning methods don’t work, try WD-40. It contains strong chemicals that break down the sticker. Wear protective gear, like gloves and goggles.

1. Spray WD-40 directly onto the sticker.
2. Let it sit for about 5-10 minutes.
3. Peel off the sticker and use a cloth to wipe away any remaining adhesive.
4. Wash the glass with soap and water to remove WD-40 residue.

Tips for Removing Stickers From Glass

Here are some practical tips for removing stickers from glass with ease. Be mindful of where the sticker is and use methods appropriate for it. For example, an oven door and fireplace glass have different accessibility and safety concerns. Always be careful and take safety steps seriously.

• Test first: Before using any chemical solution, test it on a small, inconspicuous glass area to ensure it won’t cause damage or discoloration.
• Be patient: Give your method enough time to work. Rushing the process can make it harder to remove the sticker altogether. If one method doesn’t work, combine methods.
• Use plastic tools: Do not use metal tools to scrape off stickers. Use plastic ones instead to avoid scratching the glass. You can also use your fingernails or the edge of your credit card.
• Avoid abrasives: Do not use abrasive pads that can scratch glass surfaces.
• Clean thoroughly: After removing the sticker, clean the glass with warm water to remove stubborn adhesive or remaining cleaning products. Finish with a glass cleaner to avoid streaks.