How to Get Sticker Residue Off Glass

Sticker adhesive is designed to secure price tags or other labels to a variety of materials, from thrifted high heels to plastic toys—which means it's stickier than it needs to be to adhere to smooth, clean glass.

"It is designed to be on the strong side," says Jena Touray of The Maids. "With adhesive, the bond can become even stronger when exposed to high heat and moisture over time, [and] the longer the adhesive has had to bond with the glass, the more difficult it will become to remove."

But don't let sticky residue ruin your joy at finding a matched set of vintage hot toddy mugs or 1950s canning jars. When trying to remove a sticker from glass—whether its a bar code from a new vase, a price tag from an antique pitcher, or a label from a yard sale picture frame—follow these steps.

Peel it.

This is a slightly controversial first step—and one that only one of our experts recommended. If you're lucky, most of the sticker will peel off in a single piece as you pull it back from a corner using your fingernail or a plastic scraper, saving you a lot of time and effort. But if you're not, then the remaining bits of sticker and adhesive will leave you with a much bigger mess to tackle.

Soak it.

If you haven't tried peeling the sticker, soak the entire label using a cotton ball soaked in rubbing alcohol, says Kathy Cohoon of Two Maids. "Press until the sticker has been fully saturated, and repeat twice," she says. (If you have tried removing it, use the same soaking technique on any sticker that remains.)

Scrape it.

After soaking, use a clean razor blade to slowly peel the sticker. Note: Use sharp tools with extreme caution, as one slip of your hand can ruin the glass. "Avoid scraping with any multi-pronged or serrated objects like forks or knives," says Cohoon. "These may leave scratches and weaken glass." Touray agrees: It's important to go slowly instead of opting for speed. "Avoid using harsh chemicals or sharp objects," she says. “Having patience is really important."

Heat it.

Especially stubborn adhesives may soften more effectively if you hit them with warm—not hot—air from your hair dryer. "The adhesive typically softens, making it easier to remove before cleaning," Touray says. (Be careful, though: "Glass can be very sensitive to temperature and fine pieces can shatter,” says Touray, so don't let the glass get too hot.)

Cohoon also suggests soaking the glass in a solution of hot water and dish soap. "This may help break down the adhesive residue," she says. "Allow to soak for about 10 to 15 minutes and then try the removal process again."

Clean it.

Once you've lifted (or dissolved) the bulk of the sticker, clean your glass of remaining residue. "Once the sticker is removed, you can follow up with vinegar to remove any additional traces of the sticky stuff,” says Cohoon. "Wipe the area dry, and clean with glass cleaner to get rid of smudges and residue."