Stickers are a modern consumption. They stick on smooth surfaces and can be found almost everywhere, on walls, windows, doors, refrigerators… the list is endless. But what happens if you leave a sticker for a long time? It gets dirty or even sticky from humidity and cooks into the wood it’s sticking to. Many of us don’t even know how to remove stickers from wood surfaces. This guide will show you some practical methods on how to do it without suffering a wood.
Why Should You Remove Stickers From Wood?
If you’ve bought a brand new item, it’s rather common to find stickers on it. If not, chances are that the manufacturer didn’t bother removing them for you. Why would they? Good quality can be sold at a higher price, therefore minimizing options for the manufacturer to remove the generic stickers.
Stickers are very cheap compared to wooden subjects and surfaces but it’s still worth removing them because they can ruin your expensive furniture. To avoid this unpleasant experience below are recommendations on how to remove stickers from wood with easy steps, which is possible for most people including beginners.
How To Remove Stickers From Wood With Hair Dryer
This method is pretty straightforward. You just have to heat up the sticker’s surface to loosen the adhesive which is used to stick it on the wood. A hairdryer works pretty well for this. The best part of this method is that you can use a hairdryer anytime, anywhere because they are so portable.
All you have to do is find a way to heat up the sticker so that its adhesive melts and becomes liquid or soft. Once it becomes soft, it will be very easy for you to remove it without damaging the wooden surface underneath it.
How To Remove Stickers From Wood With Vegetable Oil
Vegetable oil will also do the trick because it too dissolves glue well and removes sticker residue easily. The key to removing stickers from the wood is to soften the adhesive with oil. Let it soak up enough oil until it starts to peel off. As you can see the process looks pretty complicated but it is actually very simple.
How To Remove Stickers From Wood With Alcohol
Another simple yet effective way of removing stickers is using alcohol. It has the ability to dissolve the glue and remove it by rubbing the sticker with a cloth soaked in alcohol. The downside would be that it leaves stains, which can only be removed if you sand the wood down first. Also, if you spill alcohol on something else, like your table surface, it will leave permanent stains.
How To Remove Stickers From Wood Using Vinegar
The easiest thing to get rid of stickers is to use some vinegar. Soak the cloth in vinegar and gently wipe around the sticker leaving it slightly wet. It will help soften the sticker and make it easier to rub off with another piece of cloth. Then, simply rub or scrape the sticker off using a dry piece of fabric.
How To Remove Stickers From Wood With Adhesive Tape
If you have tried the steps above but didn’t work for you, this alternative solution is a must-try. You will need adhesive tape and a hairdryer. The goal is to soften the adhesive under the sticker, but you must be careful because the heat might damage the wood.
Start by wrapping one adhesive tape around your finger and then press it against the sticker for about 5-10 seconds. Then remove it and repeat if needed. Continue sticking and pushing until you remove all parts of the sticker, including residue with a piece of cloth and damp sponge scrubber.
The Bottom Line
As you can see, removing stickers from wood is an easy process that doesn’t require too much time or effort. You just need to be careful and patient during the whole process. Ensure to clean the item before removing the sticker because it will make it easier to clean up after removing it.
FAQ
How Do You Get Stickers Off Wood Without Removing Paint?
A third way that may not be necessary but could help with some stubborn stickers is using acetone, which can soften up some types of the adhesive before scraping them off of the surface.