How To Remove Stickers From Porcelain

By  Sal Marco

Things Needed

  • White vinegar

  • Pan

  • Paper towels

  • Rags

  • Sponge

  • Plastic scraper

  • Baby oil, olive oil or vegetable oil

  • Grease-cutting dish soap

  • Adhesive solvent

  • Acetone

  • Turpentine

Tip

Wear safety glasses and gloves when using solvents.

Work in a well-ventilated room when removing stickers with solvents.

Warning

Do not use abrasives on porcelain, as you may damage the surface.

Porcelain has many uses in a house. Manufacturers make mugs, tiles, vases, toilets, and many other products from porcelain. Molding and baking ceramic at high temperatures in a kiln creates porcelain. After the porcelain cools, manufacturers add a glaze that protects the ceramic and makes it shiny. Price stickers or manufacturer details with adhesive-backed paper or plastic are often difficult to remove. If you can peel away the paper surface, it leaves a sticky adhesive residue on the porcelain.

White Vinegar

Step 1

Pour white vinegar into a pan, and place it on the stove to warm it. Do not bring it to a boil.

Step 2

If the porcelain piece is small enough to handle, lay paper towels or clean rags on a flat and level work surface. If the porcelain piece is large, lay rags or paper towels around the sticker.

Step 3

Dip a clean rag or sponge into the warm white vinegar. Dab at the sticker, and squeeze vinegar directly onto the sticker. Lay the vinegar-soaked rag or sponge over the sticker, and allow the vinegar to remain on the sticker 20 to 30 minutes.

Step 4

Remove the rag or sponge, and peel off the sticker with a plastic scraper. If any adhesive residue remains, repeat the process to dissolve the adhesive.

Oil

Step 1

Apply one of the following oils to the sticker: baby oil, olive oil, corn oil or vegetable oil.

Step 2

Allow the oil to soak into the sticker for 15 to 20 minutes.

Step 3

Scrape the sticker off the surface with a plastic utensil or scraper. If any adhesive remains, repeat the process.

Step 4

Wash the area with a grease-cutting dish soap, and rinse well with plain water. If the sticker was on a surface that you walk or stand on, wash the area two or three times to remove the oily residue.

Solvents

Step 1

Apply a commercial adhesive solvent, or use acetone or turpentine on the sticker.

Step 2

Allow the solvent to soak the sticker for 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the solvent and sticker.

Step 3

Scrape the sticker off the porcelain with a plastic scraper.

Step 4

Wash the area with a mild detergent two or three times to completely remove the solvent. Rinse well with plain water.

References

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