How To Get Sticker And Glue Residue Off Your Kitchen Cabinets

There's nothing worse than working carefully to remove a sticker from your kitchen cabinets just to find residue left behind. Leftover adhesive from stickers and glue can leave your cabinet a mess, especially when crumbs and grime start to stick. As a result, you may be looking for the best way to get sticker and glue residue off your kitchen cabinets.

Unfortunately, there is no one-size-fits-all solution for this frustrating situation. Depending on your cabinets and the location of the residue, a method that works for someone else may not work for you. On the bright side, however, there are several methods you can try, from using heat to homemade cleaners.

Before trying out any method of removing stickers from a wooden surface, it's important to check your cabinet's manufacturer information if possible and spot test in a hidden location. After all, the last thing you want is to leave your cabinet damaged when attempting to get rid of leftover adhesive. This includes when using both mixed solutions and heat, since some material may not be able to withstand prolonged raised temperatures. When you're dealing with wood cabinets, there's also the issue of treated versus untreated wood, and you'll want to make sure you choose a safe option for cleanup.

When cleaning leftover adhesive residue from your kitchen cabinets, whether from a leftover sticker or excess glue, you have two methods of removal: physical and chemical. Physical methods involve using a tool to loosen up or scrape away the adhesive, while chemical methods will work on softening or even dissolving the adhesive.

One of the easiest physical removal methods for those small but stubborn adhesive spots is to use an old gift card (or a debit or credit card if you have one on hand) to scrape away the residue. This is especially true if you still need to get rid of the sticker itself too. If using this method, just be sure to be careful, especially as you begin cleaning the bulk of the adhesive, so as not to damage your cabinets. In fact, after you remove most of the adhesive, you may wish to switch to another method to tackle the remaining residue, such as a hair dryer, which you can use to apply low heat and soften the residue until it can be easily wiped away.

For tougher residue stains, you may want to try a chemical remover. Thankfully, there are many household essentials that can wipe out stubborn sticker stains, including vinegar, oil, and baking soda. Even hot water paired with a bit of dish soap and your gift card can tackle the job in many instances. For these to work, simply apply your choice of ingredient to the affected area, allow it to sit for a few minutes, and then wipe or scrape away the residue.