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When comparing options, remember to consider the type of mess, the surface material, and the ideal application method. Household adhesive removers come in three main formulas: citrus-based, soy-based, and solvent-based (although we also have some research into greener products that may be a good alternative for households cutting back on the use of harsh chemicals). What to Consider When Choosing the Best Adhesive Remover For those reasons, we omitted natural adhesive removers from our “top picks” below however, they are worth keeping an eye on. More companies are inventing products marketed as “biodegradable” and “nontoxic.” Being relatively new on the market, these products for now lack widespread consumer and expert reviews vouching for their effectiveness.Īccording to the Environmental Working Group, complete lists of ingredients for these products can be hard to find, so caution is still needed when considering these products. “Greener” adhesive removers are being developed because of increasing concerns over health, safety, and climate change. Some of these products contain a specific warning about ethylbenzene, which may cause cancer, and methanol, which has been linked to birth defects and reproductive harm, according to the State of California. Use only if absolutely necessary and when other methods have failed. These chemical solvent adhesive removers should be handled with care and according to instructions. Active ingredients can include harsh and potentially caustic chemicals such as xylene, ethylbenzene, toluene, benzene, methanol, and naphtha, a petroleum-based chemical often used to clean metal. They penetrate surfaces to break chemical bonds and erase any residue. Solvent-based removers are the strongest on the market. Once you scrape the surface clean, the remover should dissolve with water and soap. Soy-based removers may require several hours to soften old glue residue sufficiently. Think mastic adhesives (a gumlike substance used for tile work) and glues holding down old carpeting.
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Stronger than citrus-based products, soy-based removers are good for loosening old tacky bonds. Soy is often used in industrial- and professional-grade products. Soy-based removers use soybean oil and propane as their active ingredients. They can also help fight grime in kitchens and bathrooms. Best for common household messes, citrus-based removers are great for mild to moderate adhesive residue (e.g., tape, stickers, and cooking oil). These products may also include chemicals such as chloride, halogen, sulfur, and fluoride.
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Citrus-Based RemoversĬitrus-based removers contain a mixture of citrus-fruit extract and propane as their main ingredients. The best rule of thumb is to try the least-harsh option before resorting to heavy-duty solvents. To ensure users get the results they are looking for, they will need to find the proper formula for the adhesive that needs to be removed.
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BEST FOR OIL AND GREASE: Oil Eater Original Cleaner and Degreaser.BEST FOR TOUGH MESSES: 3M General Purpose Adhesive Cleaner.BEST FAST-ACTING: RapidTac Rapid Remover Adhesive Remover.
#VINYL DECAL ON TREX WOOD UPGRADE#
UPGRADE PICK: Un-Du Formula Sticker, Tape, and Label Remover.To physically remove stickiness, buyers can invest in a well-designed scraper tool.Ĭhoosing the right adhesive remover for a sticky situation is half the cleanup, so check out our shopping considerations and recommendations for products covering most home and garage needs. Most removers break down the molecular bonds that make sticky products, well, sticky. But the right adhesive remover will save surfaces from ruin-and will spare users time and extra effort. Goopy, waxy, oily, or just plain annoying, stickiness can be caused by grease, wax, tape, glue residue, decals, and even certain foods in different areas of the home.
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