The Easiest Way To Remove Stickers From Electronics

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It's fun to place stickers and decals on your personal electronics, like laptops and smartphones. It's an easy and cost-effective means of customization, though stickers do come with one distinct drawback: The difficulty that comes with removing them and the unpleasant, sticky residue they leave behind. It's a frustrating task, right up there with removing dust from electronics. Luckily, there are various straightforward means of removing them cleanly, such as applying heat and mild solvents.

You do have to be careful when removing stickers from your electronics, as not only are your devices potentially delicate, but if you try to forcefully rip the sticker off, you'll be left with streaks and residue that are even harder to get rid of. Before you try to remove any stickers, take a look around your home for some helpful tools, and make sure you know how to use them safely to remove the sticker in full without permanently marring or damaging your device. All it takes is a steady hand and the right supplies, and you'll have a nice, clean device that is ready to sell or for new stickers and customizations.

There are a few different ways to remove stickers from most flat surfaces. Since we're specifically dealing with electronics here, we need to be conscious about what we're using. For instance, while a metal scraper might be fine for some surfaces, you absolutely should not use it to remove stickers from your electronics, as they will almost definitely get scratched. You also shouldn't use intense chemicals like glass cleaner, as it can damage screens.

First, find a firm, yet gentle scraping tool, like a plastic card. Second, find a hair dryer, preferably one with a low heat setting. Finally, find some form of solvent, something you can use to dissolve the sticker's adhesive residue. This could be isopropyl alcohol, vinegar, or a dedicated residue removal chemical like Goo Gone. If you're concerned about getting solvents near your device, you could also opt for something a little more natural and mild, like mineral oil, coconut oil, or petroleum jelly. 

Don't forget to grab a couple of soft microfiber cloths you can use to apply these substances, as you shouldn't apply them directly to the surface of your device. The same cloth you use to keep your computer screen clean will work fine.

Once you've got your full sticker-removal arsenal, it's time to approach the matter methodically, one step at a time. Ideally, you'll be able to remove the sticker and its adhesive on your first try, but if one method doesn't work, that's what the others are for. Before you do anything, make sure your device is unplugged and powered down, just in case.

First on the docket is the solvent. Take your soft microfiber cloth and dampen it with a small amount of your solvent. Gently rub the dampened cloth around the edges of the sticker, then let it sit for a few minutes. The solvent should gradually dissolve the adhesive on the edges of the sticker, which should allow you to peel the whole thing right off. If there's any residue left behind, just dab it with the dampened cloth, and then wipe it away with a dry cloth.

If the solvent doesn't work or you're not comfortable using it, the next option is the hair dryer. Make sure it's on the lowest possible heat setting and hold it a few inches away from the target. Turn it on and point it at the sticker, letting it heat for around 40 seconds. Do not place the heating element right next to your device, as too much heat could damage it. After a bit of heating, the adhesive should start to loosen. Carefully lift the edge with your fingernails or the plastic card, then peel it off the rest of the way. If there's still residue left, you should be able to remove it with a couple of gentle scrapes from the plastic card, plus a wipe with a dry cloth to remove the rest.