You Can Clean up the Leftover Sticker With Something You Already Have in Your Closet.

Removing price tags from second-hand finds or scraping industrial adhesive off the walls and sides of battery-powered smart devices can be a daunting task. What’s even worse is that most solvents that attack glue can also damage your paint. Luckily, common cooking oils that you probably already have in your kitchen can help you deal with some of the toughest adhesives without damaging your walls.

Before proceeding to remove the adhesive, make sure to remove as much of the material adhering to the outer surface of the adhesive as possible. The effect of the oil on the adhesive is how the process works, so it’s important that the oil works really well. Also, be sure to wipe down the area to avoid rubbing dirt or other debris into the surface – this can cause stains when mixed with oil.

What oil should be used to remove adhesive?

Almost any vegetable oil will help soften the adhesive, including canola, olive, and nut oils, as well as things like peanut butter or mayonnaise. Orange oil, such as room deodorant or Murphy Oil Soap, can also attack the adhesive, although you should be careful not to rub too hard, as they may eventually seep into the paint.

Once you have chosen your oil, all you need is a rubber or plastic scraper and a clean rag. If you don’t have drawing tools handy, another kitchen tool, such as a kitchen utensil scraper or dish scraper , may come in handy.

How to remove glue

First, apply oil to the adhesive and let it soak in for about an hour. If it’s hard to get the oil to stay in place, switch to cooking spray or nut butter, which will stick to the surface. Once the oil has penetrated the surface, it’s time to scrape it off. If you have a lump of glue, it may even come off in one piece. If it has run a little, you may need to repeat the process a few times, allowing the oil to soak in a little. If you have leftover clumps or individual drops of glue, use a rag to loosen them, and then make a few passes with a scraper.

If the adhesive still remains strong, you can also use a hair dryer or heat gun on a low setting to heat up the area. As it heats up, the glue may soften and be easier to scrape off. Be careful when using this method not to heat the area too much because this can also damage the paint. You also don’t want to get burned, so keep that in mind.

Once most of the adhesive has been removed, use a clean rag to blot the oil from the surface; if there is still oil residue, you can use some dish soap and water to clean it up. You can also try baking soda and a clean rag to remove any oil residue from the surface.