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

   Post-it® Notes, 3" x 3", Jaipur Collection, 14 Pads/Pack (654-14AU) $20.99 Pack89 reviews Scotch® Transparent Greener Tape, 3/4" x 900", 12 Boxes/Pack (612-12P) $32.89 Pack1 reviews Medline Petroleum Jelly, 4 oz, 12/Pack $28.49 Pack Purell® Instant Hand Sanitizer,12 oz. $6.99 Each24 reviews Scotch® Magic™ Tape, 3/4Wx1000"L, 1" Core, 6/Pack $17.99 Pack137 reviews Scotch® Magic™ Tape Refill 810, 3/4" x 1000" with C38 Desktop Dispenser, 6 Rolls Tape, 1 Dispenser, 1" Core $18.99 Pack19 reviews Post-it® Notes, 3" x 3", Cape Town Collection, 14 Pads/Pack (654-14AN) $20.99 Pack301 reviews Scotch® Magic™ Greener Tape, 3/4" x 600", 6 Dispensers/Pack (6123) $16.49 Pack18 reviews Curad® Petroleum Jelly, 1/6 oz, 144/Box $20.39 Pack Quill Brand® Hand Sanitizer; Aloe Formula, 67.6-oz. $15.99 Each5 reviews Purell® Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer, 2 Liter Pump $23.99 Each57 reviews Post-it® Greener Notes, 3" x 3", Helsinki Collection, 24 Pads/Cabinet Pack (654R-24CP-AP) $31.99 Pack15 reviews Softsoap Moisturizing Hand Soap with Aloe, Refill, 1 Gallon $12.99 Each163 reviews Purell® Advanced Instant Hand Sanitizer NXT , Unscented, Clear, 1000 ml Refill, 8/Pack $86.49 Carton6 reviews Post-it® Super Sticky Notes, 3" x 3", Rio De Janeiro Collection, 24 Pads/Cabinet Pack (654-24SSAU-CP) $29.99 Pack36 reviews Post-it® Notes, 4" x 6", Canary Yellow, Lined, 5 Pads/Pack (660-5PK) $14.79 Pack40 reviews Quill Brand® Moisturizing Hand Soap; Aloe Formula, 11.25-oz. $1.59 Each1 reviews Scotch® Transparent Tape, 3/4" x 1296", 1" Core, 6/Pack $20.79 Pack37 reviews

   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!