So, you mistakenly cleaned a shirt that had a name tag sticker, and now there are glue remnants stuck on it. Relax. It might seem as though the glue particles will cling to your favorite piece of clothing forever, but there’s a way to eliminate even the most tenacious sticker glue. Here are some household methods to remove sticker residue from your clothes without causing damage, as recommended by clothing care specialists.
Gwen Whiting, a cleaning expert and co-founder of The Laundress, John Mahdessian, the president of dry cleaning company Madame Paulette, Chris Allsbrooks, the director of store operations at ZIPS Dry Cleaners, and Morgan Eberhard, a senior scientist at Dawn, offer the following advice:
Before attempting more forceful methods, gently roll the fabric with a lint roller to collect any sticker residue. Alternatively, you can use masking or packing tape, but steer clear of duct tape, which may leave behind its own sticky residue. To use tape, form a loop, then quickly press and pull it from the fabric multiple times.
This technique is perfect for delicate materials like wool and works well if the sticker is still adhesive (indicating it’s fresh and hasn’t been washed or left to sit). Continue with other solutions if some residue remains after several rolls or taps.
For synthetic fabric items, place them in the freezer for 45 to 90 minutes to harden the glue, making it easier to remove. Gwen Whiting suggests, “Place the shirt in the freezer for an hour to solidify the glue. Then, remove what you can.”
Once you’ve removed as much as possible with the freezer method, use warm water and dish soap to eliminate any leftover residue. “Dampen the shirt and rub it with a microfiber cloth and a bit of dish soap,” Whiting advises. “Soak the garment in warm water for 20 minutes, then let it air-dry.”
If you need a soap suggestion, consider Dawn, an effective degreaser. Morgan Eberhard, a senior scientist at Dawn, notes that while the brand hasn’t specifically tested Dawn for sticker residue removal, the Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray can act as a quick stain remover or pretreatment for laundry stains.
“When stains appear on your clothes, pretreat them with the following steps to ensure they don’t set,” Eberhard advises.
Spray 1 to 2 times of Dawn Platinum Powerwash Dish Spray directly onto any cotton/polycotton fabric and rub it in with your fingers. Wash the item as usual with laundry detergent in your washing machine. Avoid reapplying Dawn to the same spot and washing again.
Dawn dish soap is safe for use on cotton or polycotton but should not be used on delicate fabrics like silk or suede, according to Eberhard. “We recommend spot testing with a small drop in a less visible area to ensure the fabric won’t be damaged.”
Dry cleaning expert Chris Allsbrooks points out that glue residue is plastic-based and that regular soap and water may not always remove it. He recommends Carbona Stain Devils No. 1, designed to remove adhesives from most washable fabrics, including cotton, even if it’s been through the laundry.
Here’s how to use it:
First, carefully scrape off as much of the sticker as possible with a dull, straight-edged object, like a butter knife. Check the garment’s colorfastness by applying a small amount of Carbona to an inconspicuous area, like an inside seam or under the arm. If the color doesn’t change, soak the spot in the solvent for a few minutes. Use the knife again to remove any remaining residue. If a stubborn spot remains, apply a little of the solution to a cloth, dab the spot, and rinse with warm water.
You can also use acetone nail polish remover to help dissolve the hardened adhesive. Here’s the process:
Lay the garment flat on a table and place a towel behind the stain. Ensure the glue is dry, then apply clear acetone nail polish remover to a cloth and rub it into the glue. The white spots should disappear quickly.
Use this method only on non-acetate fabrics, as the acetone in the nail polish remover can damage acetate or triacetate fabrics, commonly found in formal wear and delicate garments.
Vinegar is a versatile cleaner that can be used on sticker residue on clothes. Before proceeding, test a small spot of fabric:
Heat pure distilled white vinegar in the microwave. Apply the warm vinegar to the residue area. The adhesive will soften, making it easier to scrape off. Rinse the area with cool water and treat the stain with a stain remover for 10 to 15 minutes before washing. Ensure the adhesive is completely removed before drying.
If the previous steps fail, a natural oil might dissolve any remaining sticker residue, but caution is advised. Apply olive oil, coconut oil, or baby oil to a cotton ball and dab it on the residue spot, allowing the oil to sit for 10 minutes. Rub your fingers or the edge of a credit card across the residue to remove it. Be aware that this method leaves an oil spot, which is why it should be tried only after other methods have been exhausted. To address this, wash your clothes with soap and water before the oil sets, then proceed with the laundry and drying as usual.
