10% OFF On Your Order! Use Code: SAVE10 DETAILS

How to Get Sticker Residue Off Clothes Easily

Stickers are fun to stick on a range of surfaces, from the backs of laptops to the windows of cars. They can even attach to items of clothing, and children often like sticking little stars and pictures to their clothes – or their parents' clothes – for fun. Unfortunately, those stickers often leave residue behind.

This guide will cover multiple methods on how to get sticker residue off clothes with ease.

How to Get Sticker Residue Off Clothes Easily

What Exactly Is the Residue Left Behind from Stickers?

Before we look at exactly how to get sticker residue off clothes, you might be wondering what that frustrating residue is actually made of.

Well, it’s quite simply part of the adhesive that stickers use to stick to things. Every sticker has a layer of adhesive substance on its back. It’s like a layer of glue, and it can be made from various compounds, both natural and synthetic, depending on the sticker in question.

The adhesive forms a bond between the sticker and whatever you put it on. Then, when you peel the sticker away, some of that adhesive gets left behind. This is especially true for stickers that have been left in the same spot for quite a while, as the adhesive tends to dry and harden over time.

Best offer order now free shipping and discount sale banners red ribbons tags and stickers vector illustration

It’s quite frustrating, as residue can form unsightly marks and stains on clothes, and it feels sticky and annoying to touch. But there are some simple ways to get rid of it, using basic household supplies you probably already own.

How to Get Sticker Residue off Clothes with Soapy Water

Let’s kick off with one of the classics: warm, soapy water. This is the go-to cleaning solution for all sorts of household tasks, from mopping up stains on the floor to scrubbing away stubborn marks on a piece of furniture. And you might be surprised to see how well it works on sticker residue, too.

  1. Mix soap or detergent with warm water in a container.
  2. Plunge your item of clothing into the warm, soapy bath.
  3. Leave it for around half an hour – this’ll help the adhesive soften up.
  4. After half an hour, inspect the clothing and use your fingers or a little tool, like a scraper, to try to peel away the residue.

Some fabrics may not be suitable for soaking in hot water, so always check the label and be careful with delicate fabrics, like wool or certain cotton blends.

How to Get Sticker Residue off Clothes with an Iron

You’ve most likely got an iron somewhere at home, and you may be able to use it to deal with sticky residue on your clothes. The iron’s heat helps soften and weaken the bonds that form between the adhesive and the fabric, which should help to ease it away. Here’s how it’s done:

Top view sticker collection
  1. Check the label of your clothing to verify that it’s safe to iron, and see what temperature it can handle.
  2. Heat up the iron to the desired temperature.
  3. Put the clothing on your ironing board or surface, with the sticky area easy to access.
  4. Cover up the sticky spot with a piece of clean cloth.
  5. Press your iron down on the cloth and onto the sticky spot, moving it in gentle, circular motions.
  6. Use warm soapy water to wash away the weakened residue.

How to Get Sticker Residue off Clothes with Dry Cleaning Solvent

Want to know how to get sticker residue off clothes that are delicate and can’t simply be washed? In that case, you need a dry clean only method, and dry cleaning solvent is the solution. Of course, you can also visit a professional dry cleaner to do it for you, but here’s an at-home method that might work instead:

  1. Use a little sponge or cotton swab to apply a small bit of dry cleaning solvent to the affected area.
  2. Once the solvent has soaked in, grab a dull-bladed knife or even a credit card and scrape away the adhesive. Make sure to scrape gently, and avoid rubbing, as this could push the adhesive further into the fabric.
  3. Give your clothes time to dry out.
Pack of wrinkled sticker mockup

How to Get Sticker Residue off Clothes with Nail Polish Remover

Nail polish remover is one of those handy items to have at home, even if you don’t polish your nails much or at all. It’s a powerful solvent that can dissolve a range of sticky substances – making it pretty good at dealing with those stubborn bits of sticky labels that remain behind on containers or other items. And it’s very effective for removing adhesive from clothes.

  1. Place your item of clothing flat on a table or other surface.
  2. Apply some nail polish remover to the sticky patch using a simply cotton ball or cloth.
  3. Rub the remover into the area, and you should see the residue start to weaken and peel away on its own.
  4. Continue until the sticky spot is completely clear.

This method isn’t recommended for certain fabrics, like silk and wool, as they can react badly to the nail polish remover.

Create Your Own Stickers with Custom Stickers Now

Now you know four super methods of how to get sticker residue off clothes. And, after removing those old stickers, you might want to buy some brand new ones to use instead. Custom Stickers Now can help with that.

  • Create Your Own: Custom Stickers Now gives you the freedom to make your own stickers, adding your own logos, artwork, and text just how you like.
  • Best Value: Custom Stickers Now also offers amazing pricing, with fair rates for all stickers and big discounts on bulk orders – the more you buy, the more you save.

So, if you’re looking for some super new stickers to place where the old ones were, head to Custom Stickers Now and start creating today.

Related articles


Saving Design