Easy Ways to Remove Sticky Labels and Gummy Residue

If you're like me, you hate those ugly gummy marks left on products when you remove a sticker. The more I try getting that stuff off, the messier it gets until I just give up and go looking for a commercial glue-remover.

At our stained glass studio, we often have a price or product label on a piece of glass we want to use for a project. If we remove the label by just scraping it off, the residue from the glue can affect how the scoring and breaking process works. Since I don't always have a glue-remover handy, and sometimes I don't want to pay the money to get one, I checked out some alternate ways to get the sticky stuff off.

Here are some of the tips I've found that really work to remove both the label and the sticky stuff. (The bonus is that you'll use items you probably already have around your house.)

Mayo - Not Just For Salads Any More
You can remove sticky labels and glue marks using mayonnaise or regular vegetable oil. Coat the label liberally with the mayo or oil, then give it a few minutes to work through the glue. Carefully scrape off the label, sticky stuff and the mayo or oil using a clean rag and a little window cleaner or alcohol. Should cut the grease and leave the glass underneath sparkling clean.

Vinegar, A Wonder Product
You've probably read a lot about the many uses for common household vinegar. Yet another great use for inexpensive white vinegar is for removing labels and sticky residue. Soak a washcloth or rag in a mixture of vinegar and water (a bit more vinegar than water), then use the cloth to apply the mixture to your label or sticky area. Let the mixture sit on the label for a few minutes so it has time to dissolve the glue. The sticker should rub off easily, taking the sticky stuff with it.

Oh, Baby, Here's Another Great Idea
Sticky residue on glass (or a glass jar) might respond best to a little baby oil. Just take a soft cloth or paper towel and pour a small amount of baby oil on it, then apply the oil from the cloth to the sticky spot. Leave the oil on the glue for a few minutes so it has time to dissolve the residue. When you come back to check, you should be able to rub the sticky stuff right off using a nylon scrubber. Rinse the glass with some soapy water and the label - and the mark - should be gone.

Hubby's Favorite Method
This final method involves my husband's favorite workshop supply: WD-40®. This works especially well on glass and other smooth surfaces. Apply the oil in the same way as you did with the other methods listed above, then let it sit for a minute or two. Finally, clean the oil (and residue) off with some window cleaner and a soft rag.

Try one or all of these solutions and enjoy sticky-free jars, containers and stained glass.