How to Get Sticker Residue Off Clothes (2024)

Fabric care experts share their go-to hacks for getting rid of sticker residue.

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Updated on December 2, 2022

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How to Remove Sticker Residue

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Treat natural-fiber clothing with acetone nail polish.

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Believe it or not, you can use acetone nail polish remover to help break down the hardened, leftover adhesive. But only use this method on non-acetate fabrics—otherwise the acetone in the nail polish remover will melt the fabric. Here's what to do:

"Lay the garment flat on a table and place a towel behind the stain," says John Mahdessian, the president of Madame Paulette, a professional dry cleaning company in New York City. "First, check to make sure the glue is dry, then dab clear acetone nail-polish remover onto a cloth and rub it into the leftover glue. The white spots should vanish quickly."

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Use soap and water on synthetic fabric.

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Use warm water and dish soap. "Stick the shirt in the freezer for an hour to harden the glue," says Gwen Whiting, a cofounder of The Laundress. "Pick off what you can, then wet the shirt and rub it with a microfiber cloth and a little dish soap to remove any residue. Soak the garment in warm water for 20 minutes, then let it air-dry."

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Try a specific stain-removing solvent.

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"Glue residue is plastic based, and scrubbing with ordinary soap and water won't always remove it," says Chris Allsbrooks, a director of store operations at ZIPS Dry Cleaners. She recommends using Carbona Stain Devils No. 1 ($10, amazon.com), which is specifically made to remove adhesives (think: chewing gum and glue) from most washable fabrics (including cotton)—even if it's already been through the laundry. Here's how to use it:

Before you do anything, scrape off as much of the sticker as you can using a dull, straight edge, like a butter knife. Next, check the colorfastness of the garment by applying a small amount of the Carbona to an unnoticeable area of the shirt, such as an inside seam or under the arm. If the color doesn't change, soak the spot for a few minutes in a dish of the solvent. Then use the knife again to remove the last of the residue. If a stubborn spot remains, pour a little of the solution onto a cloth, dab the spot, and rinse with warm water.

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