How To Clean Adhesive Off Stainless Steel

Denise asked: How do I remove sticky labels from my stainless steel oven door? I bought my oven, and when I got it home, it had a large label stuck to the outside front of the oven door. I removed the label, but have been left with a sticky, glue residue on the door. I don't know how to remove it. I'm scared of scratching it and ruining the finish. Can you please advise me of what to use? Thank you.

What makes stickers work so well is their adhesive, but sometimes it works a little too well and you are left with a residue when the sticker has served its purpose and been removed. Here are two methods for removing the adhesive using products you probably already have available.

Using WD-40

WD-40 is a handy product known for making adhesive removal a breeze. Even better, it's not only safe for stainless steel, but it will provide a beautiful polish!

You Will Need:

WD-40
Soft, non-abrasive cloth

Steps to Remove the Adhesive:

Spray the sticky areas with WD-40.
Wait several moments for it to break down the adhesive.
Wipe at the adhesive with the cloth, making sure to move with the "grain" of the stainless steel.
Repeat as needed. Depending on the type of adhesive, you may need a second or third application to remove it completely.
Wipe away any remaining WD-40 with a clean section of the cloth.

Using Household Products

There are a variety of household products that can work well to remove residue. If one doesn't work, try another until you find one that works best for your specific adhesive. These products can work on a variety of other sticky messes as well.

You Will Need:

A solvent (choose one):
- Cooking oil
- Peanut butter
- Isopropyl alcohol
- Vodka
- Windex
A cloth

Steps to Remove the Sticky Residue:

Choose a solvent from the list above. Any of them can work.
Pour a small amount of the solvent onto a cloth.
Apply the solvent onto the residue and let it sit for a few minutes to loosen it.
Gently rub the area to remove the residue, always going with the grain of the stainless steel.
When the residue is gone, wash it with some soapy water on a cloth.

Using Heat

If you don't have any of the above products or would prefer not to use a solvent, heat is another effective way to remove adhesive.

You Will Need:

A hair dryer
Hot water
A cloth

Steps to Remove the Residue:

Put a hair dryer on the warm setting and point it at the residue, holding it several inches away.
Hold the hair dryer in place for a minute or two.
Wet a cloth with hot water (not so hot you get burned!).
Rub off the residue, always going with the grain of the stainless steel.

Additional Tips and Advice

If necessary, use a small amount of mild dish soap on a wet paper towel to wipe away any oily residue from the WD-40. Wipe with the grain on the stainless steel, then dry immediately.
If the residue is stubborn, there are commercial products you can try as well, such as Goo Gone or Un-Du. Be sure to test these products in a small hidden area first though as some, such as Goo Gone Original, could damage faux stainless steel.
Scouring powders and other abrasive products, such as steel wool, should never be used on stainless steel as they can easily scratch the surface.

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