Best Adhesive Removers to Say Goodbye to Stick
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Goof Off Adhesive Remover -
Desolv It Orange Sol Citrus Solution Adhesive Remover -
Goo Gone Spray Gel Adhesive Remover -
Krud Kutter Adhesive Remover -
Duck Brand Adhesive Remover -
Buyer's Guide
Removing adhesive can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Since adhesives are made of all different manners of organic and synthetic substances, they’re full of different properties and thus, take specially formulated removers to clean them up (unless of course the adhesive you’re working with is waterproof). Since there are many different kinds of adhesives and all are made of diverse materials with different properties, the adhesive remover you buy needs to be able to work with multiple different glues. Every adhesive remover I've listed below can do just that. Furthermore, each of the adhesive removers below can be bought for fewer than $15. There are some very expensive removers out there that frankly have inflated price tags. The removers I have listed below for you are all top quality and cheap, so you don’t have to worry about spending a lot of money. We've compiled the best adhesive removers in 2022.
Best Adhesive Remover Worth Considering in 2022
Goof Off Adhesive Remover - Best Adhesive Remover Overall
The Goof Off Pro Strength Super Glue Remover is the best adhesive remover because it is very strong. It’s the only adhesive remover that’s capable of cleaning up super glue, epoxy and Gorilla glue, which is pretty impressive. The other great thing about this remover is that it cleans up whatever glue you’re removing very quickly, and on the first time. This eliminates the need to go back and do follow up rounds of removal, which saves you great amounts of time. It makes this an excellent adhesive remover to have if you’re a professional.
Desolv It Orange Sol Citrus Solution Adhesive Remover - Runner Up
The De-Solv-It Citrus Solution is a great adhesive remover, for one, because it’s very general purpose. The amount of different adhesives that it cleans is up is huge. Plus, it includes a lot of sticky things that are hard to clean up like adhesive, such as sap, asphalt and tar. I also like the fact that this remover is guaranteed to remove adhesive from any surface. This is good if you want to remove adhesive from something such as glass or auto body finishes, where removal of glue is particularly difficult. The final great thing about this remover is that it’s biodegradable and eco-friendly, which is good if you have adhesive to remove outdoors.
Goo Gone Spray Gel Adhesive Remover - Honorable Mention
The Goo Gone Pro-Power is another great adhesive remove to consider buying, for one, like the Goof Off remover, it’s formulated to tackle very strong adhesives such as caulking, silicone, tar, etc. This makes it a great adhesive remover to buy, also like the Goo Gone remover, if you’re a professional and want to find a remover to use on your job. Like the De-Solv-It remover, this product is also formulated to work quickly. Again, this saves you time on the job. My final favorite thing about this adhesive remover is that it comes with a citrus scent. It’s a small factor, but it beats smelling strong remover fumes.
Krud Kutter Adhesive Remover - Consider
The Krud Kutter Adhesive Remover is on this list because for one, it’s a lot safer to use than some of the other adhesive removers I’ve included. It’s water based and biodegradable, which makes it perfect if you need to remove adhesive in the outdoors (such as on the outside of your home). It can also be used on a wide variety of surfaces, such as tile, carpet, wood and vinyl, which makes it more valuable because it will more than likely remove adhesive on any surface in your home. My final favorite thing about this remover is that it also works on sealers, mastic (plant resin) and floor wax. Again, this just increases the remover’s value.
Duck Brand Adhesive Remover - Best Adhesive Remover
Like the De-Solv-It remover, Duck Brand Adhesive Remover is a very general adhesive remover. It’s not as strong as some of the other removers on this list, but it makes up for it with the sheer amount of adhesives and other things it can clean (such as gum or crayon). Another cool thing about this remover is that the lid has a scraper on it. That makes it a great remover to buy if you have any stickers or tape to scrape off before removing the adhesive. My final favorite thing about this remover is that it is super cheap and can be bought for about five bucks. This is great if you’re on a very tight budget.
Buyer's Guide
Features To Consider When Buying Adhesive Remover
Type Of Adhesive Removers
Even though all adhesive removers do the same task, there are still different ones on the market that use different ingredients to help break down the glue residue. The three primary types of adhesive removers you will come across are removers with a citrus base, soy base and solvent base. Each one has its own properties and effectiveness, however, it depends on your cleaning preferences which one you should opt for.
While the name ‘adhesive remover’ is pretty self explanatory, it is important to know that not all removers are formulated to remove sticky and stubborn residue. So before you buy one, check if it can even handle the mess you need it for. If you are looking to remove basic tape adhesive residue then you can go for any kind of remover. However, if you’re dealing with more stubborn residue like oil or candle wax or even tar then you might need something that is specially designed for it.
Citrus-based removers:
If you’re eco-minded then a citrus-based adhesive remover may be an ideal option for you. 80% of these removers are made from citrus fruit extracts and only 20% are from chemicals. You can get these adhesive removers in either a paste or spray form. They don’t usually have any problems cleaning up most of the substances that adhesive removers are typically used for. What’s more, they can also get rid of the most stubborn mildew and grime in the shower area or bathtub and rinse easily with just water.
The best part about these removers is the mild, pleasant scent they come with, which makes them a good option for anyone who is addicted to good odors.
Soy-based removers:
Another effective choice if you want a more eco-friendly option is a soy-based remover. They are formulated using 60% soybean oil and 40% water. Since the formula does not have chemicals like xylene, you may need to let the remover sit on the mess for longer to ensure that it effectively lifts off the residue.
These kinds of adhesive removers work with different adhesives with ease and the fact that they wash away easily with water does not go unnoticed by anyone that uses them.
Solvent-based removers:
If you have your hands filled with a particularly stubborn mess then your best bet to clean all that up would be a solvent-based adhesive remover. Since the formula in these removers is the strongest when compared to citrus or soy based ones, they can be extremely flammable and must always be used in a well-ventilated area. It is always best to save this kind of remover as a last resort when you can’t remove the residue with citrus and soy-based formulas. If it’s a smaller mess then don’t forget to dilute it with water.
Sustainable removers:
Also known as greener adhesive removers, these are a great option for anyone who is concerned about climate change, health and safety. Since they are new to the market, having only recently been formulated by companies, they aren’t as popular as the new adhesive removers.
Formula
Once you have decided the type of adhesive remover that is best suited for your needs, it is time to consider the formula you should go for. Since most adhesive removers come in a spray, liquid, paste or wipe form, there are a lot of formulas to choose from.
If you want something that is easy to apply and can cover larger areas of mess then liquids and sprays are the best option for you. All you need to use liquid adhesive removers is a rag or cotton swab dipped in the adhesive remover and just apply it to the adhesive you wish to remove.
Paste adhesives removers are also applied in the same manner as liquid ones. However, they can be messier and you may have a hard time spreading them across the surface. If you need to use an adhesive remover on the skin then you can opt for ones that come in wipe form.
Suitable Surfaces
Not only should you check if the adhesive remover you are getting is the most effective when it comes to cleaning up your particular mess, you should also consider whether it is suitable to be used on the surface in question. Most formulas don’t have any problem on a variety of surfaces, including wood, plastic, glass, stone, vinyl and even painted walls.
You may also find some adhesive removers to work effectively on car exteriors, clothing, blankets, upholstery etc. However, you should always check the label on the adhesive remover first so you don’t end up accidentally damaging the surface or material.
FAQs
Are adhesive removers safe to use?
Although many adhesive removers tend to contain strong chemicals in their formulas, they still can be pretty safe to use, that is, if you follow all the instructions carefully. You should make sure you are in a well-ventilated area even when you’re using a remover that contains mainly natural ingredients. You should be careful to use the remover on substances and surfaces for which it is approved for. Whenever using the remover on a new surface, try to do a spot test first just in case.
Can any adhesive remover be used on skin?
No, you can’t use just any adhesive remover on your skin. If the adhesive remover contains harsh chemicals, it can lead to redness and other irritation if applied to the skin. However, if you need to remove any residue from the skin then look for a remover that contains all natural ingredients and has been marketed as safe to be used on the skin.
How can you store adhesive remover?
If you leave adhesive removers exposed to air and sunlight then there are chances of it evaporating so make sure you always double check to ensure that the lid or cap of the remover is tightly secured. Try to keep the remover in a cool spot away from sunlight so that it lasts for as long as possible.
