# How to get a sticker's sticky stuff off of plastic **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 11, 2009, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-stickers-sticky-stuff-off-of-plastic/485424 "2009-02-11T21:02:38Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-stickers-sticky-stuff-off-of-plastic/485424/21 "2009-02-13T10:08:08Z")
To summarize; the classes of solvents for removing glues from surfaces, in order of increasing seriousness (and increased risk of damaging surfaces such as plastics) are: [ul][li]Soaps & detergents.[/li][li]sweet organic oils, such as vegetable oil, corn oil, etc.[/li][li]acidic organic oils, such as lemon oil, orange oil, or eucalyptus oil.[/li][li]petroleum ethers, such as naptha, lighter fluid (zippo or other brands), and products like Goo-Gone, Ronsonol, etc.[/li][li]ketones, like acetone, nail polish remover, paint thinner.[/li][/ul] ---
**Author:** ![Improvisor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/50afbb/32.png) [@Improvisor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Improvisor)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-stickers-sticky-stuff-off-of-plastic/485424/22 "2009-02-13T17:28:21Z")
I usually use peanut butter for stuff like this. Just slather it on, let it sit overnight, and wipe off. It’s never not worked for me… especially on plastic. Even if there is some stickiness left, the peanut oil will usually penetrate the residue enough that you can rub the rest off. And you’ll be left with a Rubik’s Cube that smells like a PBJ… yum. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 5:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-stickers-sticky-stuff-off-of-plastic/485424/23 "2009-02-13T17:32:01Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > and naptha…well, you can’t buy it in line at the grocery store for $3. Yes, you can. It’s called Ronsonol. :rolleyes: It’s the same goddamn stuff; it stinks just the same. ---
**Author:** ![Rusalka](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ecd19e/32.png) [@Rusalka](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rusalka)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-stickers-sticky-stuff-off-of-plastic/485424/24 "2009-02-13T19:53:21Z")
ALCOHOL! It’s easy to get, and will not leave a residue or oily film and it won’t dissolve plastic. I once even used a spritz of a perfume bottle (contains alcohol) I found lying in the car to get parking sticker gunk off my window. Most of that impossible-to-remove sticker gunk is alcohol-soluble. I hope you try it and let us know how it worked. ---
**Author:** ![Q.E.D](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/51bf81/32.png) [@Q.E.D](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Q.E.D)\ **Post date:** [February 13, 2009, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-stickers-sticky-stuff-off-of-plastic/485424/25 "2009-02-13T19:57:14Z")
> [@Rusalka](#): > > ALCOHOL! It’s easy to get, and will not leave a residue or oily film and it won’t dissolve plastic. I once even used a spritz of a perfume bottle (contains alcohol) I found lying in the car to get parking sticker gunk off my window. Doesn’t work on some types of adhesives (don’t ask me which, I’m not an adhesive chemist). I know this from trying at various times to use anhydrous isopropyl to remove labels. Whatever kind of glue it was, the alcohol only made it gummy. ---
**Author:** ![friedo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8edcca/32.png) [@friedo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/friedo)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2009, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-stickers-sticky-stuff-off-of-plastic/485424/26 "2009-02-17T01:21:29Z")
Thanks, all. I got some Goo-Gone (first option I saw in the solvents aisle) and it worked splendidly. And what a lovely citrus scent! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-to-get-a-stickers-sticky-stuff-off-of-plastic/485424.md?page=1)