I recently installed a new set of hinges on my front door. It’s usually a simple process that starts with pulling the pin out of each hinge so you can screw the two halves onto the door and the frame. Sometimes the pins slide right out, and sometimes they need a whack with a pin punch and a hammer.
Well, these particular pins just wouldn’t budge! My husband and I spent a good hour pushing and pulling on them before we finally got them out.
That’s when we saw why. Every pin was coated in a thick, sticky substance, and there was no way they’d go back into the hinges until that residue was gone.
I was curious if any other customers had dealt with the same problem, so I checked the product reviews. One reviewer called the coating “a VERY sticky glue on the hinge pin” and wrote, “Neither denatured alcohol nor acetone will remove the adhesive. Only Goo Gone will dissolve it.”
I didn’t have any Goo Gone on hand, so I was about to grab my keys and head to the store when I remembered a tip I’d shared on the blog years ago: lemon essential oil removes sticker residue.
After more than 15 years of blogging and thousands of tips, I’ll admit a few of them slip my mind now and then. Even the good ones!
I wasn’t sure plain lemon oil could handle residue that had stood up to acetone, but it was worth a try. I rubbed a few drops over each pin and let them sit for a few minutes. Then I wiped them with a paper towel, and the residue came right off! A little Dawn washed off the oil, and once I dried the pins with a microfiber towel, they slid right back into the hinges.
Since then, lemon oil has become my go-to sticky residue remover. It’s perfect for those dreaded HomeGoods price stickers that always end up right in the middle of the glass on a picture frame. You know the ones! And when I organized my garage recently, it made quick work of all the stickers on my new storage boxes.
If you’ve been reading OGT for a while, you might know lemon oil as my secret weapon for set-in laundry stains. It’s just as handy for sticky messes! So today I’m sharing why it works so well, how to use it, and an easy paste version for bigger jobs.
Why Lemon Oil Works So Well on Sticky Residue
Lemon essential oil is the concentrated oil pressed from lemon peels, and most of it is made up of a natural solvent called d-limonene.
D-limonene works thanks to a concept you might remember from science class: like dissolves like. Most sticker and tape adhesives are made from rubbery materials that repel water, which is why soap and water just smear the residue around. Like the adhesive, d-limonene repels water, so it can dissolve what soap and water can’t.
That also explains my hinge pins. Acetone and alcohol are good at dissolving some kinds of residue, just not the thick, gummy kind that was coating those pins.
Goo Gone contains d-limonene too, along with a little orange oil, which gives it that citrus scent. But according to its safety data sheet, those citrus ingredients make up less than 10% of the formula. The rest is mostly petroleum solvent.
For me, the biggest reason to reach for lemon oil is how versatile it is. I use it all over the house, so I don’t need a separate bottle of adhesive remover taking up space under the sink. And the fresh lemon scent is a nice bonus!
How to Use Lemon Oil to Remove Sticker Residue
There are two ways I use lemon oil for sticky messes: straight from the bottle, or mixed into a simple paste. Plain lemon oil handles most everyday jobs, and the paste is better for big, thick messes that need some scrubbing.
Method 1: Plain Lemon Oil
This is the method I use most often. It’s perfect for price tags, small labels, tape residue, and tough, gummy gunk like the stuff on my hinge pins. Since there’s no grit, it’s also the better choice for glossy surfaces that scratch easily.
- Peel off whatever comes off easily. If it’s a thin sticker like a price tag, you can skip this step, since the lemon oil will soak right through the paper.
- Put a few drops of lemon oil right on the residue, and let it sit for a few minutes.
- Rub the residue away with your fingertip or a paper towel. For stubborn spots, scrape gently with your fingernail or an old gift card.
- Wash the item with dish soap and warm water to remove the oily film. This is especially important for anything that touches food.
Method 2: My DIY Goo Gone Paste
For bigger messes, like a jar label that leaves behind a layer of paper and glue, I use my homemade Goo Gone paste. It stays put on surfaces where plain oil would drip off, and the baking soda adds some grit for scrubbing.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon baking soda
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 5 drops lemon essential oil
Directions:
- Stir the baking soda, coconut oil, and lemon oil together in a small bowl. If your coconut oil is solid, warm it slightly first so it’s easier to stir.
- Peel off as much of the label as you can.
- Smear a generous amount of the paste over the residue, and let it sit for about 15 minutes.
- Scrub away the loosened gunk with a scrubber.
- Wash the item with dish soap and warm water to remove the oily film.
For a bigger batch, use 1/3 cup each of baking soda and coconut oil and 25 drops of lemon oil. Store the extra in a jar with a lid.
Jillee’s Take:
When I cook with coconut oil or apply it topically, I always buy high-quality virgin coconut oil. But for cleaning applications like this, I have no qualms about using the cheap stuff to save money!
What Lemon Oil Works on (and What to Skip)
Lemon oil works best on hard, nonporous surfaces like glass, ceramic, metal, and most hard plastics. Here’s what it’s great for, and where to skip it.
Use it on:
- Sticker adhesive and price tags on jars, mugs, vases, dishes, water bottles, and picture frames
- Tape residue and leftover label gunk on containers you’re reusing
- Tree sap, gum, and tar
- Scissor blades gummed up with tape
- Wax drips on glass candleholders
- Sticky grime on tools and hardware
Skip it (or test a hidden spot first):
- Styrofoam and clear acrylic, which d-limonene can melt or cloud
- Painted, varnished, or lacquered finishes, including walls, wood furniture, and car paint
- Porous surfaces like unfinished wood, marble and other natural stone, paper, and cardboard, which can soak up the oil and end up stained
- Leather, suede, silk, and rubber
- Eyeglasses and phone screens, which have delicate coatings
- Super glue, which comes off better with acetone
- School glue, which washes off with warm water
A Few Safety Tips
Lemon oil is plant-based, but it’s still a strong solvent, so a little care goes a long way.
- Wash your hands when you’re done. Lemon oil can irritate skin, so wear gloves for bigger jobs. It can also make skin more sensitive to sunlight, so wash up before heading outside.
- Keep the cap on tight. Citrus oils break down faster than most essential oils, and old oil is more likely to irritate skin. Store it somewhere cool, and try to use it within a year of opening.
- Watch out for open flames. It’s flammable, so don’t use it near a lit candle or a gas burner.
- Be mindful of pets, especially cats. Cats are very sensitive to citrus oils, so open a window and don’t leave oily paper towels lying around.
- Store it out of reach of children. Like any solvent, it’s dangerous if swallowed.
Say Goodbye to Sticker Goo for Good
If you’re tired of fighting with price tag residue, tape gunk, and labels that leave a sticky layer behind, lemon essential oil might be exactly what you’ve been looking for.
Right now is an especially good time to give it a try: it’s 30% off during my “Clear the Cobwebs” Fall Cleaning Sale (40% off for OGT Plus members).
It also comes in a bigger bottle now—15 ml instead of 10 ml. Since a few drops take care of most sticky messes, one bottle goes a long way, with plenty left over for set-in laundry stains and other jobs around the house.
Lemon oil is backed by my money-back guarantee, like everything in my shop. If it doesn’t live up to your expectations, just reach out within 90 days for a full refund, no questions asked. So there’s absolutely no risk in trying it out!
Here’s to goo-free jars, picture frames, and hinge pins!
What’s your go-to sticker remover?
Would the recipe baking soda, coconut oil, lemon essential oil work on 14-year-old laminate wood kitchen cabinets? I’m most afraid of trying random products because it might take the laminate off!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.No! It wouldn’t be safe to use this recipe on laminate cabinets. I would suggest using blue Dawn Dish Soap and water for light everyday cleaning. For a great degreaser, I would use 1 part water, 1 part vinegar and a drop of dish soap. Hope this helps. :-)
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If the sticker to be removed is on a jar, I fill it with really hot water. For others I use a hair dryer, and they come right off. I still use goo be gone when a little of the sticky remains.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Does this work on Rx bottles? How can I remove film that completely covers a plastic car visor? Thank you for always being there to help.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.From the high-VOC commercial field, I use adhesive remover made by the Duck Tape people. It is probably mostly kerosene, but most adhesives rub off with a tissue after it sits for a moment. It has a fiber applicator, and the lid has a sturdy scraper to push a wad of sticky stuff off a surface. I use it frequently, but I understand that it is smart to also use good ventilation.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.awesome
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee, would this also work to remove melted or worn bumper stops on cupboard/cabinet doors
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A MUCH easier solution to removing labels on bottles is simply putting oxi-clean into a bucket or bin of water and let the bottles soak to a day or three. I keep a separate bucket with lid in my laundry room just for this purpose. If a label is extra tough, as some are, use a plastic razor blade to get the excess off.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I thought I might be able to use this but realize it’s not for the mess I have. I have a glass baking pan I burned ribs and sauce in. The black residue is hard as a rock. I think I will have to throw away the pan. PS the ribs were good, though!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Put the baking pan on stove. Pour half a cup of baking soda and 2 cups of water in and boil over the stove. Let it cool overnight. The burnt residue should scrub off easy after this treatment.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Instead of a metal scratcher use a plastic scraper for pans like the one you get with Pampered Chef baking pans. I use my plastic pan scraper on everything and this is one example of what I use it for!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.How can I print the written words and NOT the photos?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Use the print friendly app. There’s a icon on the pictures. You can reduce it to 25 percent . It works for me .
Please log in or create a free account to comment.hi Jillee. I have lots of bottles with really tough stickers to remove and have tried to do so without any success. After using your goo gone gunk remover, my bottles are spotless! Even my husband think it works like a miracle! I never will use anything else. thanks again for this great recipe.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have the best luck with Avon Skin So Soft! I soak them in a small amount. Make sure the edge of the label sits in SSS, let it soak for several days rolling it around in SSS. See if you can start to peel label off . If not let sit longer. it will get easier the longer it sits. Usually takes most of the words will disappear.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I forgot to say I use this on prescription bottles.
I just tried the goo gunk gone remover today, and, (not that I doubted it), but it really works! I had put DIY labels on some plastic food containers, and the labels would-not-budge. So, I lathered them with the coconut oil and baking soda mixture, let them sit (for a good 30 minutes) and then rinsed the goo right off with just a little scrubbing. Awesome!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.To Cherie Stevens- If you belong to Costco, you can get Organic Virgin Coconut Oil for a great price and it’s excellent quality. Might save you some money. Kudos to you for rescueing the Grey’s. We had 2 and they were wonderful pets and companions! You’re right though, their teeth are horrible!!!!
Tess S.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Love this as I love all DIY products, thanks for sharing!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.This method totally works! I did it yesterday with some old, VERY sticky jars, and now they’re sparkly and lovely. Thanks, Team Jillee!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Just use your blow dryer. Get a corner of the sticker up using your nails and use the blow dryer to get under the sticker. It will come right off.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If there is still some residue, grab your scrubby and get it damp, not wet. Heat, scrub, repeat as needed. Finally wipe off with cotton or microfiber towel.
You don’t need chemicals. Just heat.
You did a post once before on using peanut butter to get the label gunk off of the jars. Works like a charm. I keep the jar of used up peanut butter and scrape out what’s left for my jars. I let them sit for a bit and wash them off. Works great!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I use W-10-40 for any tar,grease oily stains on clothes,carpeting furniture,floors, & also for sticky labels, crayon marks.I had tar on my carpet & nothing removed it,so I left it there, A shampoo man came in & sprayed W-D-40 on that & other stains & it came out completely
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I found just putting a drop of melaleuca oil right on to the sticker residue and rubbing it in works just as well.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Thanks for the ideas. I have so many jars that have partially removed labels. I will try some of them. I’ve thought about filling the sink 50/50 with vinegar and water and letting the jars soak. A solution of vinegar and water worked great for removing wallpaper.
My question for y’all is how do you get the smell out of the lids?
thanks, Beth
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I just use the peroxide/baking soda mixture and scrub it off with my fingers. Works every time, no waiting. That is the best mixture EVER! Works for everything-ceramic stove top (I usually spray some orange or lemon vinegar on there first then scrub) gunky labels, greasy baking pans, counter tops, unknown floor glop, on and on. I love this mixture! Love your finds, Jillee. Keep them coming…
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Hi Jillee, I have a huge project. On the front of our motorhome we had a plastic protective film that failed. We have peeled off some of the plastic but it has left behind the glue. We also have to be careful of the paint underneath the glue. It is a huge mess and looks awful but we are afraid to use something too strong because of the paint. I am hoping maybe someone out there knows how to remove this glue.
They (the people whose protective film failed) gave us a quote to remove the film (but won’t guarantee the paint underneath). The quote $3000.00!!
Thanks Jillee love your blog.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If you put really hot water inside the container, do not get water on the sicker it comes off with no sticky mess.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have baking soda, washing soda and vinegar, recently peroxide. That covers at least 90% of my cleaning needs, because I seem to be too lazy to make my own dishwasher stuff. This is mostly due to your (and readers) amazing tips and DYIs. Never never never retire please. Love you all!!!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A little bit of peanut butter will remove sticker goo from glass jars. Also works great on gum in hair.
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