9 Easy Ways to Remove Stubborn Stickers from Crockery

Stickers on crockery can be annoyingly stubborn, often leaving behind a sticky residue. Fortunately, there are several safe and effective ways to remove them without damaging your dishes. Soaking in hot soapy water, applying vinegar, or using a hairdryer to heat the adhesive can help loosen the sticker. Oils like coconut or olive oil work well too. Other effective solutions include rubbing alcohol, WD-40, a paste of baking soda and coconut oil, or a dab of The Pink Stuff. For extra-tough stickers, a plastic scraper can be used gently to lift them off.

Removing stubborn stickers from crockery items such as plates, mugs, and bowls can be quite frustrating. These stickers, whether price tags, brand labels, or decorative decals, often leave behind sticky residue that is difficult to clean. If not removed properly, this residue can attract dirt and spoil the appearance of your crockery. Thankfully, there are several easy and effective methods to get rid of these adhesives without harming your dishes. Using household items like hot soapy water, vinegar, oils, or even heat from a hairdryer can help loosen and remove stubborn stickers safely and efficiently.

Methods to remove stickers from crockery

1. Soak in hot soapy water

Fill a basin with hot water and add a few drops of dishwashing liquid. Submerge the crockery item and let it soak for 15–20 minutes. The heat loosens the adhesive, and the soap helps dissolve the glue, making it easier to peel off the sticker.

2. Use white vinegar

Soak a paper towel or cotton ball in white vinegar and place it over the sticker. Let it sit for at least 15 minutes. The acidity of vinegar breaks down the adhesive, allowing you to peel off the sticker effortlessly.

3. Apply heat with a hair dryer

Use a hair dryer on a low to medium heat setting to warm the sticker.Hold the dryer a few inches away and heat the sticker for 1–2 minutes. The heat softens the adhesive, making it easier to peel off the sticker.

4. Rub with olive oil or vegetable oil

Apply a small amount of olive oil or vegetable oil to the sticker. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes. The oil breaks down the adhesive, allowing you to rub off the sticker and any residue with a cloth or sponge. For stubborn residue, gently scrape with a plastic card or spatula after applying the oil for easier removal.

5. Use rubbing alcohol

Soak a cotton ball in rubbing alcohol and press it onto the sticker for a minute. The alcohol dissolves the adhesive, making it easy to peel off the sticker. Wipe away any remaining residue with a clean cloth.

6. Use contact cleaner sprays

Spray directly onto the sticker and let it sit for a few minutes. Use a spatula or your fingers to peel off the sticker. Clean the area with warm soapy water afterward to remove any oily residue.

7. Use baking soda and coconut oil

Mix equal parts baking soda and coconut oil to form a paste. Apply the paste to the sticker and let it sit for a few minutes. Rub the mixture gently with a cloth or sponge to remove the sticker and any residue.

8. Try the pink stuff cleaning paste

The pink stuff is an oil-based and abrasive cleaning paste that effectively removes sticker residue. Apply the paste with a damp cloth and wipe clean. It softens the glue with its vegetable oil base and scrubs away residue without damaging smooth, nonporous surfaces.

9. Use a plastic scraper

After applying any of the above methods, use a plastic scraper or an old credit card to gently lift the sticker. Be cautious not to scratch the surface of your crockery. This method is particularly useful for stubborn stickers that don’t peel off easily.