We all know WD-40 works for making things move when they’re seized, but it also works better than anything for getting rid of all traces of adhesive left behind after peeling off stubborn stickers from things you buy.

It works on nearly all surfaces* – even coated paper! (just be sure not to leave it to soak into the paper.)

Instead of peeling slowly for ages with your fingernail or doing that peel-stick-peel-stick thing for half an hour, soak a paper towel in WD-40 and dab it on the offending sticker remains, wait a few minutes, then wipe off. (*if on coated paper, don’t let it soak, just gently rub it.) Clean the item afterwards to remove the oil left behind.

*it’s best to test a small area first if the object is painted or porous, and be careful with items meant to be food safe, because WD-40 is obviously not food safe.

This is something I wish more people knew, because soooo many manufacturers and retailers put stickers in the worst places and with near-permanent adhesive. I hope this helps you!

  • Scratch@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
    581·
    3 days ago

    If you don’t have any, or want a food safe alternative, soak the remaining sticker in cooking oil.

    Isopropyl alcohol also works.

    • LillyPip@lemmy.caOP
      161·
      3 days ago

      Oh, I didn’t know about cooking oil, that’s awesome.

      Alcohol works, but it will destroy many finishes (painted or stained furniture, coated paper, some coated metals, some plastics and rubbers, etc), whereas WD-40 is safe for most finishes.

      Sounds like cooking oil may be as well – gonna have to try that, thanks!

        • LillyPip@lemmy.caOP
          41·
          3 days ago

          I’ve tested it on nearly everything over the years. It works on everything so far. I didn’t have any a bit ago and used alcohol instead, and it ruined the rubber surface. That’s why I posted this. I should have been less impatient and waited till I had some. Posted so others can learn before they ruin something like I just did.

            • LillyPip@lemmy.caOP
              4·
              3 days ago

              I’m sorry, I answered your question from my inbox instead of in context in this thread, so I lost context.

              I haven’t tried cooking oil, just WD-40. I’ll try cooking oil as you suggested.

              • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world
                3·
                2 days ago

                Update: I forgot about it and left it overnight shitting in the vegetable oil in a frying pan. I went to clean it up this afternoon, and couldn’t find the glue. It dissolved into the oil, so water/soap to get the vegetable oil off… and it’s clean. (Won’t be reusing that oil)

              • LifeInMultipleChoice@lemmy.world
                6·
                2 days ago

                I have some vegetable oil I fried chicken in to make chicken parmesan and since I was lazy the marinara came in a glass bottle that I peeled the label off to keep/reuse. The glue survived the dishwasher yesterday, so I’ll go lay that side in the used vegetable oil and report back in a few hours when I try to get it off.

                #excitingfridaynights

                Edit update: said glue/jar/oil

                Will report back in a bit

                Update next day: I forgot about it and left it overnight shitting in the vegetable oil in a frying pan. I went to clean it up this afternoon, and couldn’t find the glue. It dissolved into the oil, so water/soap to get the vegetable oil off… and it’s clean. (Won’t be reusing that oil)

      • sik0fewl@lemmy.ca
        3·
        3 days ago

        Cooking oil helps with scrubbing it off so that it doesn’t continue to stick. Good for scraping off the residue.