Your favorite shirt has sticky glue residue left after washing. You’re going to throw it out? Don’t panic. You can remove the most stubborn stickers if you know how. Here are some household hacks for removing sticker residue from clothes without damaging them.
Acetone
Acetone can be used to dissolve the residual, hardened adhesive. Acetone is also found in nail polish. Use this method only on fabrics that are not acetate. Acetone can melt clothing if you don’t use it.
Use a clear acetone to remove any remaining glue. The white patches will disappear in no time.
Test the acetone on an inner seam or the hem of the fabric to determine if it is colorfast. Dip a cotton swab into acetone and then rub it along the seam. Acetone should not be used to remove adhesive if any color has transferred to the cotton swab.
If the garment is colorfast, place the sticky side down on an old towel. Pour the acetone onto the stain, and then rub the old towel with the glue as it becomes looser. It may take several attempts to remove all residues.
Then, wash the clothing according to the instructions on the label.
Dish Soap and Warm Water
Rub dish soap over the sticker area. Let it sit for 15 minutes. Use a dull knife and scrape off the residue. Pull the sticky residue gently up. For best results, you can use a microfiber towel with dishwashing detergent.
Rinse the clothes and make sure that there are no residues left. If it doesn’t work, you can add more soap and scrub the area again. Last but not least, wash your clothes as usual and let them air dry.
Dish Soap with Peanut Butter
Peanut butter can be used to remove glue. This well-known sandwich spread contains oils that can help dissolve the glue residue from masking tapes, stickers, and other adhesive residues.
Use a butter knife and a spoonful to spread the peanut butter. Use the smoother peanut butter to prevent the particles from sticking to the fabric. Use a thin layer of peanut butter to cover the damaged area and the edges of the sticky spot and to keep the material from showing through.
Allow the peanut butter a few minutes to settle. Then, use a toothbrush or small cleaning brush to clean the peanut butter-buttered surface gently. Scrubbing away residue that has been loosened by the oils in peanut butter will remove it.
Once the glue and sticker bits have disappeared, wipe off the butter with as little force as possible. Dish soap is used to scrub the area.
Dish soap can be used to remove any remaining oil or stickiness from the peanut butter. After thoroughly rinsing out the stain, wash the garment as normal.
Warm White Vinegar
Start by heating undiluted white distilled vinegar in the microwave for 20 seconds. Wipe the affected area using a clean, dry towel. Let the vinegar soak in for a few moments.
Scratch off the residue using a spatula or a butter knife that is dull. Apply a small amount of laundry detergent and rub in the area after scraping all the rubble. Rinse thoroughly and wash.
Rubbing Alcohol
Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball to remove sticker residue. Allow the rubbing liquor to remain on the clothing for several minutes before scraping the residue off with a blunt item like a butter knife or spoon.
As usual, wash your clothes. After removing the clothes from your washer, you can let them dry outdoors. Check to see if all residues are gone. If you are not satisfied with the results, repeat the process.
Lemon Essential Oils
Lemon essential oil is effective in removing sticky residues.
Let a few drops of lemon oil sit on the residue. Scrape the residue with your fingernails or a dull blade. Once you have removed the rubble, you can wash your clothes as normal. Double-check for any signs of sticky residue after washing your clothes.
Ironing
Use heat to remove sticker residue from your clothing without having to take it to a dry cleaner. Clothing irons are a great tool for removing stubborn stickers and losing adhesive.
Place the garment on a board for ironing. Set the iron’s maximum heat. Place the iron on the fabric without exposing it to heat. Iron your shirt so that the adhesive residue is facing the ironing board. The residue will melt if you hold it for 5 to 15 seconds.
Set the iron aside. Use a blank card or a knife to scrape away the sticky residue gently. Repeat until residues have been removed.
Freezing
To remove stickers from synthetic clothing, freeze the item between 45 and 90 minutes. Freezing stubborn stickers on fabric can help. After freezing, they will be solid enough to remove with a metal scraper or by pulling them off.
Scrub the residue off with dish soap after wetting the sticky area. It can be cleaned gently with a soft brush before you wash it as normal.
Goo Gone
Goo Gone is a great way to remove any sticky residues from clothing. The spray or bottle form is easy to use.
To remove the residue of sticky tape from the fabric, apply Goo Gone. Let it sit for a couple of minutes.
Use a clean, dry cloth to blot, and then begin scraping away the residue. With an old credit or putty knife, you can scrape off the loose pieces of the sticker.
If you want to remove all the sticky residues from the surface, use paper towels and then wash your clothes with laundry detergent.
Heat Gun
Make sure your shirt is flat. You can also secure the shirt using your elbow or another heavy object. Heat blast the adhesive residue with your heat gun for a maximum of 5-15 seconds.
Remove the glue residue from the shirt with a knife or your hand. This should be a simple task.
