After removing old tapes from a plastic surface, you will remain with sticky tape residue. They are often stubborn to lift off because you do not want to leave the surface damaged. With this guide, you will learn how to remove sticky tape residue from plastic with some household items and commercial adhesive removers.
The sticky residue often attracts dirt, making the surface unattractive. Do not scrape off the surface with sharp objects, however tempting it can be to avoid cutting or damaging the plastic surface underneath. Instead, pick one of these methods and safely remove sticky tape residue from your plastic.
Let’s first go through how to prevent sticky tape residue.
How to Prevent Sticky Tape Residue
- Wash the surface, clean and dry the plastic surface before applying the tape because oil, dirt and grease maximize the chances of adhesion buildup.
- Update the tape by lifting off the old tape, then wash the surface before applying a new tape.
- Use more expensive tapes such as stucco tape that doesn’t leave residue on plastic surfaces.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic
- Dampen a cloth with white vinegar, warm soapy water or nail polish remover. Use one solvent at a time.
- Put the damp cloth over the sticky tape residue.
- Let the solvent saturate the sticky residue for a few minutes. Soaking time depends on the amount of sticky and its adhesion power.
- Wipe away with a clean rag to remove the sticky glue and the solvent.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic with Soapy Water
Using dish soap and warm water is probably the easiest way to remove sticky tape residue from plastic. It is inexpensive and straightforward.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Water
- Liquid dish soap
- Rag
- Cloth
- Bowl
The Steps
Step 1: Prepare the solvent. Mix a few cups of warm water and a generous amount of liquid dish soap in a bowl to form a soapy water solution.
Step 2: Dampen a clean rag in the solution and place it over the sticky tape residues. You can also submerge the plastic with sticky tape residue in the solution.
Step 3: Soak the sticky tape residue. Let it soak for 15-30 minutes to allow the soap and warm water to weaken the adhesive. Hot water softens the sticky glue, whereas the soap loosens the adhesive’s grip on the plastic surface.
Step 4: Scrub the weakened sticky tape residue with a damp cloth. Scrub firmly in circular motions to ensure all the sticky residue are removed.
You can also use paper towels or soft-bristled brushes.
Step 5: Rinse the surface with clean water and allow it to dry.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic with Vinegar
Vinegar has acetic acid that eats away the bonds of tape residue, making it easy to wipe away.
You can use vinegar to clean kitchen plastic, e.g. food containers because it does not leave chemicals on the surface.
Using vinegar is easy, and within no minute, your plastic surface will be sparkling clean.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Water
- Vinegar
- Liquid dish soap
- Cloth
- Old toothbrush
- Container
The Steps
Step 1: Prepare the cleanser. Pour some hot water into a container. Add vinegar and a few drops of liquid dish soap to the water and stir until the mixture forms a foamy lather.
Step 2: Soak the sticky tape residue. Submerge the plastic item in the solution and ensure the sticky residue is completely submerged.
Dampen a cloth with the solution and place it over the sticky tape residue for plastic surfaces that you cannot submerge.
Let it soak for 10-20 minutes as the adhesive dissolves.
Step 3: Once the sticky residue has softened, scrub the surface with a wet cloth to remove the sticky residue. You can use an old toothbrush to remove stubborn sticky tape residue.
Step 4: Rinse thoroughly to remove the vinegar and glue residue. Rinsing with warm water helps remove the strong vinegar smell.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic with Acetone
Use nail polish remover for this method because it contains acetone. It is a strong solvent that dissolves the sticky residue leaving our plastic sparkling clean.
However, acetone does not work well on all plastic surfaces. For example, plastic such as polypropylene can endure the strong nature of acetone, whereas weaker plastics such as polystyrene will dent or melt.
Use acetone on plastic with a recycling symbol and number 5 on the label. Try this easy method if you have some sticky tape residue on a strong plastic.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Acetone/Nail polish remover
- Water
- Dish soap
- Cotton ball/Clean rag
- Towel
- Gloves
The Steps
Step 1: Wear gloves to protect your skin from irritation. Work in a well-ventilated area to avoid breathing in toxic acetone fumes.
Step 2: Wipe away dust from the sticky residue with a clean rag.
Step 3: Pour 1-2 tablespoons of acetone on the sticky residue. Spread acetone over the sticky residue until it’s saturated.
Step 4: Let it sit for a few minutes as the sticky residue dissolves fully.
Step 5: Rub strongly with a rag to remove all the sticky residue.
Step 6: Wash the plastic surface with clean water and dish soap to remove acetone residue.
Step 7: Rinse with warm water and pat dry with a towel.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic with Rubbing Alcohol
Apart from being a household disinfectant, rubbing alcohol can also remove those unsightly sticky tape residue on your plastics.
Use rubbing alcohol with a concentration of 70% to achieve the desired results.
Use vodka if you don’t have some rubbing alcohol. Do not use sweet alcohols such as rum because they will leave the surface sticky.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Cotton ball/clean rags
- Water
- Dish soap
- Rubbing alcohol
- Old toothbrush
The Steps
Step 1: Grab a cotton ball or a clean rag and soak it with rubbing alcohol.
Step 2: Rub it over the plastic until the sticky residue is saturated with alcohol.
Step 3: Let it sit for 5-10 minutes as the alcohol softens the adhesive.
Step 4: Scrub the surface with a rag to remove the softened adhesive. You may want to add more alcohol while scrubbing to weaken the sticky residue further.
Use an old toothbrush to scrub off sticky tape residue.
Step 5: Once clean, wash the plastic surface with water and dish soap to remove sticky residue and alcohol traces.
Step 6: Rinse with warm water and allow to dry.
Repeat the process if necessary.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic with Cooking Oil
Cooking oil will gently remove sticky tape residue from your plastic without scratching or damaging the surface.
It breaks the adhesive bonds gently, ensuring the sticky residue loses its grip on the plastic. You can use olive, canola, or even baby oil.
However, oil can stain absorbent plastic, so I recommend you do a spot test in an inconspicuous area of the plastic. If you find it safe, continue with the cleaning process. If not, opt for other stain removers.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Cotton ball
- Paper towel
- Cooking oil
- Water
- Soap
- Plastic scraper
The Steps
Step 1: Pour enough amount of cooking oil on a paper towel or cotton ball
Step 2: Place it over the sticky tape residue. Ensure to saturate the surface with the cooking oil.
Step 3: Let the oil work on the sticky glue for 5 minutes. This allows the glue bonds to weaken.
Step 4: Remove the oil-filled paper towel and wipe away the softened sticky residue with a paper towel. Scrape away the stubborn residue with a plastic scraper. A metal scraper will leave the surface scratched.
You may need to repeat the process to remove all the sticky tape residue.
Step 5: Once clean, wash with warm soapy water to remove excess cooking oil.
Step 6: Rinse and allow it to dry.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic with Oil-Baking Soda Paste
Oil-baking soda paste acts as an abrasive that scrubs off sticky tape residue from plastic surfaces.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Cooking oil
- Baking soda
- Gloves
- Water
- Dish soap
- Paper towel
The Steps
Step 1: Mix 3 tablespoons of baking soda and 2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a dish. Mixing baking soda and cooking oil creates a thick paste that you can use to scrub off sticky tape residue from plastic surfaces.
Step 2: Spread the paste over the sticky residue. Ensure you have the sticky residue completely.
Step 3: Work the paste over the sticky residue with your fingers. The paste will lift off the sticky residue without any damage.
Step 4: After lifting off the sticky residue, wipe excess paste with a paper towel.
Step 5: Wash the surface with warm soapy water to remove excess oil and adhesive.
Step 6: Rinse and allow to dry.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue with Peanut Butter
Peanut works the same as cooking oil, only that you have to be more patient. Peanut butter has cleaning properties that dissolve the sticky light adhesives on plastic surfaces, making them painless to wipe away.
Use Mayonnaise as an alternative if you don’t have some Peanut butter
The Supplies You Will Need
- Peanut butter/ Mayonnaise
- Paper towel
- Microfiber cloth
- Water
The Steps
Step 1: Spread a generous amount of peanut butter over the sticky tape residue.
Step 2: Let the butter sit over the residue for 30 minutes to an hour to dissolve the sticky residue fully.
Step 3: After weakening the sticky residue, dampen a microfiber cloth and wipe it away. You can also use paper towels.
Step 4: Repeat the process to ensure you have removed all the sticky residue from the plastic object.
Step 5: Once clean, rinse with warm water to remove excess oil and adhesive.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic with Goo Gone
Goo Gone is a great sticky tape residue remover that works on all plastics. However, use it to remove sticky tape residue from kitchenware plastics if all other methods have failed because it contains harsh chemicals that might complicate your health.
Test in an inconspicuous area before applying it on the sticky surface to ascertain if the plastic surface is compatible.
The Supplies You Will Need
- Goo Gone
- Water
- Clean rag
- Microfiber towel
- Dish soap
The Steps
Step 1: Apply Goo Gone on the sticky tape residue.
Step 2: Let it work on the sticky residue for 3-5 minutes. The adhesive bonds weaken hence loosening its grip on the plastic surface.
Step 3: Wipe the surface clean with a clean rag. This lifts off the sticky residue along with the adhesive remover.
Step 4: Wash the surface with hot soapy water, then wipe dry with a microfiber towel.
How to Remove Sticky Tape Residue from Plastic with Pencil Eraser
Most people downplay this technique, but the pencil eraser is an effective adhesive remover. Grab the eraser and run it over the sticky residue. The residue will lose its grip on the plastic surface and roll away as you continue rubbing.
Bottom Line
Sticky tape residue can be a pain to remove from plastic surfaces. But, as vexing as the task can be, there is no need to keep worrying or scrubbing without achieving the desired outcome.
Pick on one of the quick-fix methods above to remove sticky tape residue from your plastic. If one method fails, do not shy off from trying another one.
However, remember that plastic surfaces may react differently with adhesive removers. So choose the best method that won’t leave your plastic surface scratched or damaged.