A lot of laptops come with giant stickers on them that are hard to remove. This guide will show you how to get that sticker residue off your laptop without damaging it.
The first thing you should do is douse the laptop sticker residue in alcohol, which cuts through adhesive, making it easier for you to wipe away any remaining contaminants.
Next, youll need a clean, microfiber cloth.
Remember that computer screens have a coating on them to help repel dust and minimize glare, so never use paper towels or any other product that could scratch your screen.
Wipe the laptop with the alcohol and then wipe it with the microfiber cloth using circular motions with moderate pressure.
If the sticker residue is still there, youll need to get more serious about it.
Apply a fine layer of car wax [or any other product containing polyethylene] on top of the remaining adhesive with your finger; let it dry for an hour and then wipe away with a microfiber cloth.
Now your laptop should be free of any annoying residue.
If you really want to do it the right way, this is what you should do:
- Get some soapy water and create a watery paste with dish soap and baking soda [roughly 2 teaspoons each].
- Let the mixture rest for two hours and then apply it to the sticker on your laptop with a soft toothbrush.
- Let it sit for another two hours and then rinse with soapy water.
- Once you feel that the residue has been softened, wipe away with a micro-fiber cloth until youve removed all of it.
- After your laptop is free of any goo left behind by the stickers, give it a good rub down using the same micro-fiber cloth to clear away any dust.
In the future, try to avoid stickers as much as possible.
If you have to put a sticker on your laptop, make sure that its removable so you dont have to deal with this process again in the near future.
And if you do find yourself having to remove a sticker, make sure to use these steps.
Table of Contents
- What things to avoid when removing sticker residue off your laptop?
- How do you get dried sticker residue off your laptop?
- Do stickers leave residue on laptop?
- Is it a good idea to put stickers on a laptop?
What things to avoid when removing sticker residue off your laptop?
Some of the items not to use when removing sticker residue off your laptop are:
- Kitchen Sponges [they contain oils that can leave a film on your laptop]
- Paint thinner or gasoline. These solvents will dissolve plastic, metal and paint. Yikes.
- Sandpaper [even fine grit sandpaper will leave tons of scratches on your laptop]
- Abrasive cleaners or chemicals. You will scratch the hell out of your laptop if you use these!
What are some tips to avoid getting sticker residue when putting stickers on a laptop?
The best way to avoid getting sticker residue when placing stickers on a laptop is not to place them on. If you must place a sticker on your laptop, make sure to use removable labels. This will allow you to remove the sticker whenever you like without causing damage to your laptop.
Some of the items that may help when putting stickers on laptops are:
- Double sided tape or glue dots [stickers adhere better if they have an adhesive on the back]
- A hair dryer [blow hot air on your laptop sticker to soften adhesive for easier removal]
Remember to always use removable stickers and take them off as soon as you can. You dont want to deal with this headache!
How do you get dried sticker residue off your laptop?
Getting dried sticker residue off your laptop can be a pain, but its still relatively easy to do.
First, get the sticker wet using water and soap [or any other adhesive solvent]. Let it sit for an hour and then scrape away with a plastic card or toothpick.
If you dont have either of those things handy, pour some dish soap into a bowl of warm water and use your fingers to rub away the residue.
Rinse with water, then dry.
If the sticker residue is still there, get out your microfiber cloth and car wax [or any other product containing polyethylene].
Use the wax to cover the residue, let it dry for an hour, and then wipe it away with a clean microfiber cloth.
Do stickers leave residue on laptop?
Stickers leave residue on laptops when theyre not removed in a timely manner. Use the steps above to remove sticker residue and prevent it from happening in the future.
Is it a good idea to put stickers on a laptop?
The only benefit to putting a laptop sticker on your computer is customization. There are no other benefits!
Putting stickers on your laptop is never a good idea because they can cause damage to your laptop when you remove them.