How to Remove Laptop Stickers
In this article, we will share our top tips for removing stickers from your laptop, how to get rid of adhesive residue and how you can re-use your custom laptop stickers after.
Do laptop stickers come off easily?
They do once you have lifted a corner of your sticker and therefore started the unbending process.
Laptop stickers come with medium-strength, pressure-sensitive adhesives. These are strong enough to really stick but can be removed without damaging your device.
Especially when your stickers have been stuck for a while, getting that first lift can be a little challenging (more on that in just a second), but once that is done, the entire sticker should peel off quite easily.
If you are still thinking about getting laptop stickers, you might wan to know which way to put stickers on laptop.
Top tips for removing stickers from your laptop
1. Gently lift one corner
As we have already mentioned, when your stickers have been on your laptop for only a couple of months, you can simply remove them by lifting a corner and slowly peeling it off.
Should you have trouble lifting a corner, use your fingernails or a razor blade to CAREFULLY lift part of your sticker.
Essentially what you are trying to do is break the bond between the adhesive and the surface. The smaller and sharper your device, the easier that will be.
2. Dab it with a damp fibre cloth
If you cannot lift a corner, or you can already tell that your stickers will come off in bits, stop and use water instead.
Make sure your device is completely switched off and unplugged. Then, use a microfibre cloth and soak it in warm soapy water. Wring it out and start dabbing your sticker for a minute.
The warm water will slowly break down the adhesive bond and should then allow you to easily peel your sticker.
3. Use rubbing alcohol
Sometimes stickers can be stubborn. Especially when they are a little older and have been stuck to your laptop for a while.
Remember, these stickers use a pressure-sensitive adhesive. So every time you've squeezed your laptop into a full bag or suitcase, the adhesive was activated, bonding even more with the surface.
In these cases, you can use rubbing alcohol or brake cleaner to remove the stickers from your laptop. Spray it on top of your stickers (and make sure that no liquids come in contact with your keyword or outlets) and work it in with a microfibre cloth.
Then, lift a corner and remove the sticker slowly.
4. Grab a hairdryer
As a last resort, you can use heat to remove your stickers. Heat breaks down the adhesive bond, making your stickers come off.
The safest way to do this is to use a hair dryer on its lowest setting. Hold the dryer 6 inches away from your laptop and move it in a circular motion over the sticker.
After you have done that for two minutes, try lifting a corner of your sticker with your fingernail. If it still doesn't budge, continue to apply more heat until the entire sticker comes off.
How to remove adhesive residue from your laptop
After removing your stickers, you might find that there is still some sticky residue on your laptop.
To remove this, use a clean cloth and warm soapy water. Rub the area with the cloth until all the adhesive is gone.
For more stubborn residue, you can use rubbing alcohol or WD-40 to help break down the bond. This video shows you how:
Can I reuse my laptop stickers?
You can reuse your laptop stickers if
-
You were able to peel it off in one piece: Our laptop stickers are made from vinyl, which should come off in one piece. You might find that paper-based options are more likely to tear.
-
The adhesive is still sticky enough: Each time you remove your stickers, they lose a little grip, which can cause the edges to curl when you re-apply them. We cannot guarantee that your stickers will stick perfectly after removing them.
Removing stickers without damaging them
If you want to remove your stickers without damaging them, do not soak them in water or alcohol. Instead, use your fingernails to lift a corner gently, or, if that does not work, jump straight to using a hair dryer.
Immediately stick them to your new laptop to ensure that no unnecessary dirt or dust gets caught underneath the adhesive as this would impact the sticker's adhesion.
Check out our latest article for more cool facts about laptop stickers. You can also reach out with any questions you might have and ask our experts. They will get back to you within 24 hours.