4 Ways To Remove A Sticker From Stainless Steel - WikiHow

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• Home and Garden
• Housekeeping
• Stain Removal
• Adhesive Stains

How to Remove a Sticker from Stainless Steel Download Article Co-authored by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann

Last Updated: August 29, 2025 Fact Checked

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• Rubbing Oil on the Sticker
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• Using Heat and Coconut Oil
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• Removing Stickers with Alcohol
|
• Cleaning and Polishing the Steel
|
• Video
|
• Expert Q&A
|
• Tips
|
• Warnings

|Show more |Show less ARTICLE VIDEO X

This article was co-authored by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line. This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources. This article has been viewed 617,895 times.

Stainless steel is commonly used to construct and cover attractive kitchen appliances. If you own something made of stainless steel, you may already know that it is not exactly "stainless," but rather it picks up fingerprints and dirt more easily than other materials. Adhesives can be one of the hardest things to remove from stainless steel because scraping can damage the surface. Most adhesives are oil soluble, rather than water soluble, so water-based detergents do not work well. You can use cooking oil to remove the sticker, and vinegar to clean and polish the surface.

How to Remove Sticker Residue From Metal

House cleaning professionals Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann recommend using essential oils to remove adhesive residue. You can also clean the surface with mineral oil, baby oil, or olive oil. For stubborn stickers, spray WD-40 over the sticker, then gently wipe the residue away with a soft cloth.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 4:

Rubbing Oil on the Sticker

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1. 1 Pull off as much of the sticker as possible first. Before you use oil on the sticker, try to pull off as much of it as you can while it is still dry. Use your fingers to grasp the sticker along the edges and pull slowly and evenly upwards. Keep doing this until you cannot remove any more of the sticker.
   • If the sticker tears, grasp a new edge and try again.
2. 2 Cover your work space in newspaper. You might not be able to do this in all circumstances, such as when trying to get a sticker off a fridge. But if you're working on a table or countertop, you'll want to make sure to prevent spillage, as oil can stain some surfaces. Advertisement
3. 3 Place the stainless steel item flat on your work space, if possible. This will prevent the oil from spilling. Be careful when placing the surface flat. If it's an appliance, such as a toaster, you'll want to make sure it's not balanced on a protruding piece. If balanced in such a way, it might shift as you work and cause a spill.
4. 4 Soak a portion of soft cloth in mineral, baby or olive oil. You don't want your material entirely soaked through, only enough to allow for a good spread of oil. You can use a cloth or a paper towel. If you use a paper towel, you'll want to fold it over a few times to ensure proper absorbency.
5. 5 Dab or spray the oil on the sticker and let it sit. Make sure to cover the sticker thoroughly. It's especially important for the oil to seep in at the sticker's edges, where the adhesive is strongest. Allow the oil to sit on the sticker for a few minutes; no more than 5. The time should depend upon the size and strength of the sticker.[1]
   • Try spraying the sticker with a cooking spray, such as Pam.
   EXPERT TIP

   Michelle Driscoll, MPH

   Founder, Mulberry Maids Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Michelle Driscoll, MPH Founder, Mulberry Maids

   The oil method is best for painted metal surfaces. Take extra care with the painted metal depending on what kind of paint was used or how delicate it is. Letting the sticker soak for longer in oil will likely be a safe option. Using stronger methods, such as acetone or Goo-Gone products, may actually strip some of the paint off the metal.

6. 6 Use the oiled cloth to wipe the adhesive off the surface. The seeping oil will have dislodged the sticker and its adhesive. You should now be able to rub the sticker away.[2] Follow the "grain" of the shine on the stainless steel. If you do not wipe with the grain, you can damage the surface's finish.
   • To find the grain, angle the steel away from you until it catches the light. You should then see vertical or horizontal lines shining. Follow them when you wipe.
7. 7 Apply a new layer of oil if part of the adhesive remains. Wait for five minutes, then wipe again with the oil-covered cloth. This should only be needed for particularly tenacious stickers.
8. 8 Wipe the oiled cloth across the entire stainless steel surface. The oil will allow you to easily remove fingerprints and other marks. Make sure to wipe with the grain, this will make the process much easier.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 4:

Using Heat and Coconut Oil

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1. 1 Use an open flame to heat up the sticker. If you're trying to remove a sticker from a light appliance, you can hold it over the flame, point the sticker at it. If you're using this method on something you can't easily lift, you'll need to bring your flame to the sticker. Run the flame over the sticker for about 30 seconds, making sure to heat up the whole sticker evenly.[3]
   • You can use a lighter, candle or match as your open flame.
   • Don't worry if you see black marks show up on your surface. As long as you haven't kept the flame in one place for too long, these should wipe away easily.
2. 2 Peel off the sticker. After running the flame over the sticker, the tenacious glue should have melted and burned. You should now be able to peel the sticker off with your fingers without too much trouble.[4] If you're still having trouble, you might need to heat up the sticker some more.
3. 3 Wipe away the residue with coconut oil. You only need a few drops of coconut oil, which you can spread onto the sticker residue with your finger. You can then use a paper towel or a soft cloth to wipe away the sticker gunk. It should come off easily.[5]
   • You can also use the coconut oil to wipe the black marks caused by the flame.
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Method 3 Method 3 of 4:

Removing Stickers with Alcohol

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1. 1 Dab rubbing alcohol onto a paper towel and lay it over the sticker. As the rubbing alcohol transfers from the paper towel to the sticker, it should start dissolving the glue. You should only have to wait a few minutes for this to happen.[6]
2. 2 Scrub the sticker with the paper towel. After letting the alcohol work, most of the glue should have dissolved. Most, if not all of the sticker should come off easily. Scrub with the paper towel, and you should be able to lift most of the sticker.[7]
3. 3 Scrape any remaining adhesive with your fingernail. Make sure to follow the grain of the stainless steel as you do so. Otherwise your surface could lose its luster, and even get scratched. Thanks to the alcohol, you should be able to simply scratch off whatever is left of the sticker.[8]
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Method 4 Method 4 of 4:

Cleaning and Polishing the Steel

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1. 1 Soak the corner of a soft cloth in vinegar and wipe the surface. Make sure to wipe the entirety of the surface to remove the olive oil. You'll find that using distilled white vinegar will also work great for general cleaning and polishing of stainless steel.
2. 2 Wipe the surface with a cloth soaked with warm water. For this step, you should soak the cloth thoroughly. The water will allow you to clean any remaining oil or vinegar. Wipe with the “grain” of the stainless steel.
3. 3 Wipe the surface completely with a dry cloth. Make sure not to leave any water on the stainless steel, as it may leave marks.
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Expert Q&A

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• Question How do you remove stickers from metal? Michelle Driscoll, MPH Founder, Mulberry Maids Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Michelle Driscoll, MPH Founder, Mulberry Maids Expert Answer There are a few methods to try - the simplest is to apply oil or rubbing alcohol to the sticker. First, peel off as much of the sticker as possible. Follow this by applying oil or alcohol to a clean cloth and dabbing at the sticker to allow the solution to soak the sticker. Let it sit, then wipe away the sticker with the cloth. Repeat this as necessary until the sticker and residue are gone. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 7
• Question How do you remove stickers from stainless steel appliances? Michelle Driscoll, MPH Founder, Mulberry Maids Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Michelle Driscoll, MPH Founder, Mulberry Maids Expert Answer First, peel off as much of the sticker as possible. Follow this by applying oil or alcohol to a clean cloth, and dabbing at the sticker to allow the solution to soak the sticker. Let it sit, then wipe away the sticker with the cloth. Repeat this as necessary until the sticker and residue are gone. Once the sticker is off, you will want to polish the steel. An easy way to do this is to wipe down the steel with a cloth and vinegar, followed by a wipedown with warm water. Dry the steel afterward and always try to rub your cloth in the direction of the steel grain. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 4
• Question How do you get stickers off painted metal? Michelle Driscoll, MPH Founder, Mulberry Maids Michelle Driscoll is a professional cleaner based in Fort Collins, Colorado. With over 7 years of experience, Michelle is the founder of Mulberry Maids, specializing in cleaning homes and small offices. Mulberry Maids services Northern Colorado, including Fort Collins and Loveland, and offers a variety of services, including commercial cleaning, move-in and move-out cleaning, and regular home cleaning. Michelle holds a Master's in Public Health from the Colorado School of Public Health. Additionally, Mulberry Maids has an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau. Michelle Driscoll, MPH Founder, Mulberry Maids Expert Answer You can use the same process as with stainless steel, though extra care should be taken depending on what kind of paint was used or how delicate it is. Letting the sticker soak for longer in oil will likely be a safer option - using stronger methods such as acetone or Goo-Gone products may actually strip some of the paint of the metal. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 1 Helpful 1

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Tips

• Clean stainless steel often to prevent darkening or corrosion from dirt, salt, milk or acidic foods. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• Always wipe stainless steel dry to prevent mineral stains or spots on surfaces. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
• You can use WD-40 to wipe the sticky residue away, following the same steps as you would with cooking oil. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

Show More Tips Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review! Advertisement

Warnings

• Never use steel wool or abrasive sponges on stainless steel surfaces. Thanks Helpful 15 Not Helpful 11
• Avoid using corrosive solutions on stainless steel, such as benzene cleaners or bleach. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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References

1. ↑ https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-remove-sticker-residue/
2. ↑ https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-remove-sticker-residue/
3. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3157Krq9js
4. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3157Krq9js
5. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3157Krq9js
6. ↑ https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-remove-sticker-residue/
7. ↑ https://www.loctiteproducts.com/en/know-how/fix-stuff/remove-adhesives.html
8. ↑ https://www.popsci.com/diy/how-to-remove-sticker-residue/

About This Article

Co-authored by: Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann Professional Cleaners This article was co-authored by Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann. Claudia and Angelo Zimmermann are the founders of Everneat, an Eco-Friendly Cleaning Service based in New York City and in Connecticut. They are also the founders of Clean Code, a DIY 100% natural cleaning product line. This article has been viewed 617,895 times. 8 votes - 100% Co-authors: 11 Updated: August 29, 2025 Views: 617,895 Categories: Adhesive Stains Article SummaryX

To remove a sticker from stainless steel, start by soaking a soft cloth in mineral, baby, or olive oil. Next, dab the oil directly on the sticker and let it sit for 5 minutes to dislodge the sticker from the surface. Then, wipe the area with the oil-soaked cloth to remove the sticker and any adhesive it left behind. Be sure to wipe with the grain to prevent surface damage! If you want to try something else, saturate the sticker with rubbing alcohol and let it soak for 5 minutes. Then, scrub the sticker with a paper towel to remove it from the surface. To learn more, like how to polish the steel after you remove the sticker, keep reading the article! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

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  Rich Aberle

  Aug 31, 2017

  "Had a 12-quart stainless pot that had a huge sticker when we purchased it. Sticker came off, but glue remained...." more Rated this article:

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Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Co-authored by: Claudia & Angelo Zimmermann Professional Cleaners Co-authors: 11 Updated: August 29, 2025 Views: 617,895 100% of readers found this article helpful. 8 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote

Rich Aberle

Aug 31, 2017

"Had a 12-quart stainless pot that had a huge sticker when we purchased it. Sticker came off, but glue remained...." more Rated this article:

Cindy Stryker

Aug 10, 2017

"I had a stainless steel dog dish, & the sticker on the bottom inside of the bowl was stuck on! First I tried..." more

Linda Correy

Oct 23, 2017

"The coconut oil really works! I tried every chemical in the house and the coconut oil got the sticker residue off..." more Rated this article:

Pranav Sandeep

Jul 2, 2017

"I tried coconut oil to remove stickers from my new stainless steel pressure cooker and that worked. What an..." more Rated this article:

Ian Green

Apr 3, 2018

"I managed to remove a bar code sticker off my stainless steel knives. " Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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