The BEST Way to Remove Stubborn Sticker Price Tags

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Do you have a price tag sticker that just won’t come off? 😫

Isn’t it the worst when you’re in a rush and are struggling to remove them from glass, ceramic, or hard surfaces? If scratching them off isn’t working, what next?!


I recently set out to find the EASIEST method and/or product for removing pesky adhesive sticker price tags, and tested five popular methods found online.

The first step was to gather my items that had price tags to remove, and then I started testing different ways to remove the stickers. P.S I like shopping at goodwill, but their stickers are the worst! 😬

Popular Ways to Remove adhesive Price Tags:
  • Goo Gone
  • Soapy Hot Water
  • Pencil Eraser
  • Nail Polish Remover
  • Rubbing Alcohol
What worked and what didn’t?

ALL of the above examples worked eventually with the exception of the pencil eraser. That was a TOTAL fail!

However, there definitely was a clear WINNER!! 🥇

Goo Gone was the BEST and FAVORITE method tested!

…And NO, they are NOT paying me. It definitely was surprisingly really FAST & EFFECTIVE at removing price tags easily. Tags just slide off immediately with very little effort. I was super impressed!

Plus, after reading about how well it can clean up gum, glue, stickers, crayon, wax, and more –  Goo Gone has become a dear friend. 😉

Tip: Make DIY Goo Gone by mixing a paste using a small amount of vegetable oil and baking soda. I tried it out and it did work, but took more effort and time to scrub.


Removing stickers and labels can be tricky and annoying,  so I hope this is helpful! 

Also worth mentioning is my LOVE of this Scrub Daddy sponge! It worked much better than my regular sponge during my price tag removal testing! 🙂 Thanks to Bryn for dishing about her LOVE for the Scrub Daddy too.


Written by Lina for Hip2Save. Lina is a proud mom of 2 kids who loves photography, all holidays, cooking, thrift store makeovers, bargain shopping, and DIY makeovers. Her goal is to create a beautiful life and stylish home on a dime! To see all of Lina’s DIY/Crafts created just for Hip2Save, click here.

Join The Discussion

Comments 113

  1. Diana

    I️ love Goo Gone!!

  2. CO Mama

    I use Coconut Oil or GooGone for stubborn tags, but a hair blow dryer on warm heat on sticker & they pull right off!

    • Sue P

      I agree, yes, goo gone is good, but the hair dryer often does the trick with no chemicals. The big secret is to not get the label wet before trying the hair dryer. Once it’s wet you’ve made a big job for yourself 🙂

    • Lina D

      That is so awesome- Thanks for sharing the tip!

  3. Jen

    I frequently use my bottle of Goo Gone!

  4. sanno64

    The absolute easiest way is to use, believe it or not, PEANUT BUTTER! The oil in the PB causes the sticker glue to release and slide right off. My mother did this all the time. Rub it on, let it sit, and the sticker slides off.

    • markiesluv

      we have used pnut butter to get gum out og hair. mWorked wonderfully

    • Jennifer

      I’m totally with you! A blast of heat from my hair dryer then a dab of peanut butter. Works every time!

  5. Shannon

    The previous owners of my house stuck stickers all over the doors and I removed the residue easily with olive oil!

  6. Jeni

    Thanks I’ll have to try some. I’ve heard about it but never sure if it really worked or not. TY!!

    • Lina D

      You’re welcome! 🙂

  7. hip2trade

    Thank you, love the tip. I had previously used hot soapy water which was somewhat effective but I definitely want to try Goo Gone!

    • Lina D

      Yes! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

  8. Laura

    I have also had luck with a hair dryer. It heats the adhesive enough to soften it, and the sticker (usually) peels right off!

  9. Jen

    I’ve used the hair dryer many times !

    • Gina

      Hot air is the Best

      • Kris P

        I third the blow dryer/ heat gun method

    • Lina D

      I’m trying that next!

  10. Evan

    Yes goo gone will work, but my favorite would be Mineral Spirits (turpentine). I either brush or spray a small amount on a sticky area and let it sit for 10 minutes, then it removes effortlessly.

  11. Paisley

    Thanks for all of the great tips! Think I’ll try the hair dryer next time I need to remove a label/sticker.

  12. Patrick

    For a jar, I’ve always found the best solution is boiling hot water… on the *inside* of the jar. Don’t get the sticker wet, it’ll just fall apart. Just heat the glue through the glass, and if you wait long enough, it’ll peel right off.

    • Steph-B

      Thanks for tip! Cool, just boiling water!

  13. Cat

    WD-40 works as well!

  14. Krystal

    Hand sanitizer

    • Lina D

      Thanks for sharing!

  15. Mary W

    Goo Gone contains a petroleum distillate which is what helps it work well. Info from the label: This product can cause respiratory distress and skin irritation. It is also flammable. Use with caution. Wash all fabrics that come in contact with product.

  16. Adrian S.

    I always use olive oil on glass. Works like a charm and it’s always on hand! Why, oh why do stores still put the price tag/sticker on the front glass part of a photo frame!?!

    • Lina D

      Thanks great tip! Oh picture frames are the worst! ha

  17. Ashley

    I use WD-40

  18. je

    Any type of oil will also work. I usually use mineral oil.

    • Lina D

      Thanks!

  19. hwild

    zippo lighter fluid or something similar works perfectly. there are are a few youtube videos about it.

  20. Nancy

    I have used baby oil.

  21. Mary

    I have always sprayed Pledge furniture polish on my stickers and it comes off pretty well. It takes a couple tries but it works!

  22. DawnC

    I’ve used Pam no stick cooking spray – let it sit a while and the stickers slide right off. Super simple and just about everyone has it in the cupboard : )

  23. Jess

    I just put cooking oil. Let it sit, and it comes right off.

  24. Becks

    I was expecting you to say that yellow cleaner from the dollar tree was the winner! That’s what I use & love!

    • Lina D

      Oh I love that stuff for stains! Never thought to use for this! Great idea 👍🏻

  25. MarMar

    I have hard dried up slime on my carpet, will goo gone lift it right off?

  26. Maxine

    I use lemon oil to remove stickers, price tags, ink… Works like a charm every time.

    • Lina D

      Thanks for sharing!

  27. Wendy

    Will someone please tell me the trick for getting stickers off of clothes AFTER they’ve been through the dryer? My kids keep doing this and I give up!

  28. DECKIN'THEHalls

    I use coconut oil for everything from removing makeup to taking off stickers. It works wonders!

    • Lina D

      I’m gonna try it! Thanks 🙂

  29. Kris

    Scrub Daddy/Mommy sponges work great for stickers! Never had them scratch glass, plastic, nothing!

    • Lina D

      YES love them <3

  30. kiwigrl21

    You missed the BEST one… it’s Windex! Working at Anchor Hocking, we had to remove UPCs for photo shoots, planograms, etc constantly. Spray a little Windex on it, leave it a couple minutes and it wipes off clean with a paper towel.

  31. JEB

    Thanks for all your helpful hints! I will try some of them.

    • Lina D

      You’re welcome!

  32. Angela

    What about if you tried to remove a sticker and it left residue. I bought some clear plastic bins from the dollar tree and peeled the stickers off on the inside and it left it sticky. I have tried everything besides the goo gone. Windex, magic eraser, alcohol, oils, dawn.

    • Ashley

      Wd-40 . You may have to leave it for awhile and use some elbow grease but it eventually works for me.

      • Lina D

        Thanks Ashley!

  33. Desiree

    Musical instrument repair tech secret: lighter fluid! Believe it or not that stuff will remove ANY sticker from anything!

    • Lina D

      Oh interesting! Thanks for sharing 🙂

  34. Maura

    I like to use coconut oil or olive oil to get gooey stuff off. Goo gone scares me. It smells so strong! Coconut oil also help remove sharpie from skin.

  35. Andrea

    The only thing I don’t like about goo gone is it leaves a strong (although not unpleasant) odor.

  36. Heather C

    Pure Orange oil works great too (which i think is the active ingredient in Goo gone)

  37. Michelle

    Vinegar

  38. Audra

    I have used a product for many years called De-Solv-it. I had a comforter that had gum in several places (it had been washed and dried) and it got all the gum out. Works on built up grease on my stove hood, and I also discovered that it will clean and shine my stainless steel appliances. Here’s a link if anyone is interested it checking it out, great stuff https://www.de-solv-it.com

    • Lina D

      Thanks for sharing!

  39. Rachel

    Googone is our go to. Love it.

  40. Judy

    My sister uses the blow dryer over the sticker and it helped to moisten up the glue to make it easier for peeling.

    • Lina D

      Awesome! Thanks for sharing!

  41. Linda

    My daughter got gum in her eyelashes and I didn’t know what to do so I took coconut oil and put it on and the gum came off really good plus it’s healthy. No chemicals or some kind of reaction.

  42. AP

    Goo gone! My mom turned me on to it years ago. She worked in Apartment leasing and said they had to use it a lot.

  43. LF

    I love the scrub daddy!!

  44. Ph

    Any oil will work on glass vegetable canola olive oil old grease that you might save to reuse.

  45. Jane

    Thanks!

  46. Marie

    Coming from the bookstore industry, I can tell you it’s been the go-to for label removal for decades. It keeps books in brand new condition as well as it won’t scratch or stain covers.

    There’s also a cheap label remover tool you can get if you peel labels with any kind of frequency: https://www.retailresource.com/product/38622/Label-Remover-Scraper.html?gclid=CjwKCAiA9f7QBRBpEiwApLGUipfVNCsZf3gB8hwumGHMOpDEtLE_MmjA_UB6gLl89PsKjqSdJAiubRoC3bwQAvD_BwE

    • Lina D

      Thanks Marie!

  47. SquishyShelli

    Goo Gone is awesome!

  48. Ebeneezer Feeblegeezer

    Avon Skin So Soft works great.

    • Lina D

      Oh interesting! Thanks 👍🏻

  49. Edie

    I use mayonnaise,works everytime!

    • Lina D

      That’s a cool idea! Thanks for sharing!

  50. AOhio

    I love Goo Gone!!

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