Five cheap and easy ways to remove 3M adhesive residue

Besides calculators, staplers and paper clips, many office workers rely on 3M adhesives to make their days more efficient. Look around – there are probably Post-It Notes and Scotch Tape on your desk right now. These supplies can be used to track tasks, hang up important papers – and even create beautiful works of art.

For example, scotch tape is not only used to bind things together. You can make wall decor out of it. Post-its can be transformed into a wallpaper, just put a double-sided tape underneath it to keep it in place. Hey, it is also a fun office activity your team can do in their spare time!

Another characteristic of 3M adhesives is its stickiness that leaves an unwanted residue. It is an eyesore and makes a workstation look dirty or untidy. It could be a masterpiece one day, and the next, once you remove it, your boss is giving you a death stare because of the residue it left.

So, before you draw a layout of your favorite cartoon character or superhero on your office wall, find out first how to remove 3M adhesive residues. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. You may try these adhesive removal tricks and tell your boss there will never be a “tearing down a wall” scenario:

1. Peanut butter

   This is a neat trick from BHG.com. Works fine on wood, plastic and glass. Amazing.

   1. Smear peanut butter across the area with the sticky residue.
   2. Leave for an hour.
   3. Wipe with clean cloth.

2. Baby oil

   You may also use eucalyptus oil or coconut oil.

   1. Pour a few droplets on the surface.
   2. Rub or scratch it with your fingers.
   3. Wipe it with clean cloth to remove the oiliness.
3. Shop Quill.com

   Curad® Petroleum Jelly, 1/6 oz, 864/Pack $82.99 Pack Post-it® Pop-up Notes, 3" x 3" Canary Yellow, 100 Sheets/Pad, 12 Pads/Pack (R330-YW) $21.99 Dozen206 reviews PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer Soothing Gel, Fresh Scent, 1L Pump Bottle (3081-04-CMR) $7.49 Each55 reviews PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel for Workplaces, Clean scent, 8 fl oz Pump Bottle (9652-12) $4.49 Each272 reviews PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer Refreshing Gel for Workplaces, Clean scent, 8 fl oz Pump Bottle 12/CT (9652-12CT) $55.59 Carton43 reviews Quill Brand® Hand Sanitizer, Aloe Formula, Pump, 10 oz. (QB10SAN) $2.99 Each28 reviews Generic OTC Petroleum Jelly Tubs, 13 oz, 12/Pack $46.99 Pack Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, 3" x 3", Miami Collection, 90 Sheets/Pad, 12 Pads/Pack (654-12SSMIA) $22.79 Pack20 reviews Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, 3" x 3", Miami Collection, 70 Sheets/Pad, 24 Pads/Pack (654-24SSMIA-CP) $32.99 Pack54 reviews PURELL® Hand Sanitizer Spring Bloom Gel, Spring Bloom Fragrance, 8 oz, Each (3014-12) $4.49 Each51 reviews Quill Brand® Hand Sanitizer; Aloe Formula, 67.6-oz. $16.99 Each8 reviews Purell Advanced Refreshing Gel Hand Sanitizer, Original Scent, 67.6 oz. (9625-04) $23.99 Each118 reviews PURELL® Advanced Hand Sanitizer Soothing Gel, Fresh Scent, 12 fl oz Pump Bottle, 12/CT (3639-12CT) $80.99 Carton16 reviews Germ-X Aloe Liquid Sanitizer, 8 Oz. (1000030516) $3.49 Each77 reviews Germ-X Original Liquid Sanitizer, 8 Oz. (1000030515) $3.59 Each52 reviews Purell® Instant Hand Sanitizer,12 oz. $6.99 Each40 reviews Curad® Petroleum Jelly, 1/6 oz, 144/Box $20.49 Pack Medline Petroleum Jelly, 4 oz, 12/Pack $33.99 Pack

   Petroleum jelly

   What if you accidentally put Scotch Double-Sided Tape on your uniform? Or worse, your colleague plays a joke on you. Don’t go ballistic. Petroleum jelly can peel it off.

   1. Scrape the residue with a spoon.
   2. Rub the bits with petroleum jelly.
   3. To get rid of the smeared petroleum jelly, apply few drops of dish soap.
   4. Rinse with hot water. Make sure the temperature of the water is safe for the fabric.
   5. Repeat steps 2-4 until it is gone. Then wash it with warm water.

4. Perfume

   A Redditor suggested this and it works like a charm.

   1. Spray on the sticky area.
   2. Rub with clean towel.

5. Hand sanitizer

   This office or household staple will not only kill germs but also remove stubborn 3M adhesive residues.

   1. Apply a small amount of hand sanitizer on the surface.
   2. Smear evenly.
   3. Rub it with clean cloth.

   Removing 3M adhesive residues might seem like a daunting task. Surprisingly, you can find the solutions right in your house or your handbag without spending a penny!