Whether it’s on new team uniforms, new school clothes, or from field trips why do we seem to forget to remove those darn stickers before we throw our clothes into the laundry?
How often have you washed and dried a shirt or pants with stickers on them, only to find out that the stickers are now stuck to the fabric? Now, how to get stickers off clothes after washing and drying?
It can be incredibly frustrating to put a shirt or pair of pants into the laundry only to find out that the stickers are now stuck to the fabric.
The answer lies in understanding how stickers work. Most stickers have a paper backing and an adhesive layer. When a sticker goes through a wash cycle, usually the paper part of the sticker washes away but the adhesive lingers. This is why it’s so important to remove stickers before putting clothes in the washing machine.
If a sticker has already made it through the wash cycle and is now stuck to the fabric, you can do a few things to remove it.
If it’s gone a step further and made it into the dryer it may have also picked up lint from other clothing. And now it’s a dried-on fuzzy mess.
It can be really frustrating. But don’t worry, there is a way to get those pesky stickers off your clothes.
Just follow these simple steps to get the sticky residue off your clothing without damaging the fabric.
I have a few ways to remove the stickers from your clothing. I find the first one to work in almost every case.
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How To Remove Sticker Residue From Clothing Using Rubbing Alcohol
Will rubbing alcohol stain clothes?
⚠️If your clothing item is made of delicate fabric or if you are unsure how it will react to the rubbing alcohol, test a small inconspicuous area first.
What you’ll need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Clean white cloth or cotton ball
Instructions:
Step 1: Lay the item out on a flat surface.
Step 2: Using a clean white cloth, apply the rubbing alcohol to the area of the fabric where the sticker was applied.
Step 3: Gently scrub the area with the cloth. The rubbing alcohol will loosen if not completely remove the sticky area from your clothes or fabric item.
Step 4: Reapply if needed to remove any remaining sticky residue.
Step 5: Wash and dry the clothing.
If this method does not work, you can try the next idea for removing stickers from clothing.
How Do You Get Sticker Residue Off Clothes With Vinegar?
Step 1: Create a solution of equal parts white vinegar and water.
Step 2: Soak a clean white cloth in the solution.
Step 3: Rub the cloth into the area affected by the sticker. The vinegar will break down the sticky residue.
Step 4: Once all the sticker remnants are removed, launder as usual.
How to Remove Sticky Label Residue From Clothing Using an Iron
⚠️Be sure to read the manufacturer’s care label for the fabric to be sure your item is iron safe
Items needed:
- An iron
- Ironing board
- Paper towels
Directions for sticker residue removal:
Step 1: Lay the item out on a flat surface
Step 2: Place 2 paper towels over the sticky area
Step 3: Set iron to high, no steam
Step 4: Place the item on the affected area, no longer than 5-10 seconds
Step 5: While sticky goo is pliable, pick it off with your fingers
Step 6: Repeat the process as necessary
Step 7: Wash and dry the clothing item
More Ways How to Get Stickers Off Clothes After Washing and Drying
Goo Gone, WD 40, Goof Off, and Avon Skin So Soft are well known for getting sticky substances off of items.
These products may work on removing stickers from clothing. I have seen laundry advice posts that say they do. Even some of their product pages say it is okay.
Personally, I haven’t tried them. I would worry about those leaving grease stains on the fabric. If you’ve tried other methods listed here without desired results and the item is potentially a lost cause otherwise, go for it.
If you do try them and remove the sticker but are left with grease stains, you can follow this guide on removing grease stains.
There you have it! How to get stickers off your clothes after they’ve been through the wash. Give one of these a try next time you’re dealing with this frustrating laundry problem.
Did you try it? How did it work out for you?
Do you have another way to get stickers off clothes after washing and drying that will help others just like you? Let me know in the comments.
Need stickers for camp, school, or daycare that won’t fall off in the washer? Try these clothing labels.
More laundry hassles:
- How To Clean A Weighted Blanket: Easy Care Tips to Keep It Just Like New
- How To Get Grease Out Of Clothes – The Best Way to Remove Grease from Fabric
