It can be frustrating to bid farewell to your tenants not knowing that they left the rental property in a sticky mess. You find stickers on the fridge, adhesives on carpets from using stair mats, duct tape on the windows, and double-sided tape on the walls and on your parquet floors.

You can hire professionals to remove the sticky residue. You will need the carpets cleaned in a professional anyway. But for other surfaces like the walls, appliances, and floors, there are commercial and natural ways to remove the sticky tape residue without causing further damage.

1. GooGone

This commercial spray gel is one of the easiest and fastest ways to remove residue from adhesives, sealants, stickers, glue, and oil. It also doubles as an ink and marker remover as well as crayon remover for tenants whose kids drew on the walls.

GooGone is safe to use on hard surfaces as well as carpets and fabric. To use, soak the area with the formula and pat dry with a towel. It has a citrus scent which some find overpowering so you may want to clean up afterward using soap and water.

2. Lemon Oil

If you’re looking for a more natural way to remove sticky tape residue, consider using citrus oil. Lemon oil, in particular, helps loosen and lift the residue so it’s easier to remove. You also won’t have to deal with any commercial scent. Lemon oil is also helpful in removing stickers.

3. Goof Off

Goof Off is a ready-to-use formula for removing residue from adhesive, glue, and gum as well as dried latex paint. While it is an effective product, like GooGone, there are complaints about its smell. Some compare the smell of Goof Off to lacquer thinner. Overall, the smell is an add-on chore to consider.

4. Hair Dryer

If you don’t want to use any products at all to remove the sticky tape residue, go for your hairdryer. Aim at the residue for about a minute or so until it peels away. The high heat helps to loosen the stickers, but this requires a lot of patience and muscle work.

5. Mr. Clean

For stickers left on walls, doors, and switches, do the muscle work using Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Cleaning Pads. It also helps to remove scuff marks, marker, and crayon stains. However, cleaning pads should not be used on polished, dark, and bare wood. It is also not the best tool to use for removing sticky residue on stainless steel appliances.

6. Coconut Oil

Oils work great to remove sticky glue, tape, and labels off glass like windows and French doors. Place coconut oil on a cloth and rub the sticky glue off. You will need to wash the treated area with soap and warm water after to remove the oil.

7. WD40

This commercial spray can also help remove sticky tape and glue residue. As with most commercial products, do not apply the product directly on the surface to avoid damage. Instead, use a terry cloth to soak a small area with WD40 and to gently scrub the residue. You can also spray the sticky tape residue and let sit for a minute before scrubbing.

8. Acetone

Also known as the nail polish remover. Your cosmetic product may be used to remove stickers and duct tape from glass items as well as tiles. Acetone works best to remove older sticky tape residue. But avoid using this product on painted walls and wooden floors as it can damage these surfaces.

9. Hydrogen Peroxide

When removing sticky residue from metal services, one of the easiest and most effective ways to remove the residue is with a combination of hydrogen peroxide and alcohol. You can soak a cotton ball in a mixture of the two and wipe it off clean.

10. Alcohol

Keep in mind that you will need to use a razor blade to remove the stickers or duct tape first before removing the remaining residue with alcohol. So you see, this won’t be an optimal choice if you want to maintain a scratch-free surface. Nevertheless, it is an option for removing adhesive.

Final Thoughts

These 10 ways to remove sticky tape residue from your rental property should help put your mind at ease knowing that there is a resolution to the problem.

Only, keep in mind to follow the instructions on the label. To dilute if necessary, soak if required, and don’t forget to pre-test the surface. Work a little at a time to see if the product causes damage.

To avoid this problem in the future, you will need to tell your other tenants and your future tenants to avoid using adhesives and sticky tape on your walls, appliances, flooring, and carpets.

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