Our laptops and computers are often essential parts of our lives. Whether you use them for personal or professional use, they’re valuable possessions that usually play a significant role in our day-to-day routines. And, if you’ve got a creative flair, you may have decided to decorate your laptop or computer with stickers that represent you and your interests.
But things change, and sometimes we want to replace or remove stickers entirely. However, this can be messy and even damaging to our device. Here, we’ll look at some of the cleanest and safest ways to remove stickers from a computer.
A Few Quick Warnings Before You Remove Stickers
As you probably know, technology is pretty fragile, and using the wrong methods to remove stickers can result in permanent scratches, chips, or further damage to your device. So, there are some things you should avoid at all costs when removing stickers.
Firstly, don’t use any kind of pointed or sharp object like a knife. Using such an object can easily scratch or chip your computer and make for a frustrating repair bill.
Secondly, if you’re removing stickers near ports, your keyboard, or your mousepad, try to do it with a tool or heat instead of solvents or water. While such substances can help remove stickers, a quick falter of the hand can result in moisture getting into sensitive parts of your device.
Though there are a few mistakes to avoid, there are several easy and affordable ways to remove stickers from your computer. So, let’s get into the top methods you can use.
If you’re not comfortable using heat or substances on your device, you can try using a tool to push your stickers off. You can use a number of objects to do this, including a razor, a cuticle tool (as shown in the photo below), or a credit card.
To avoid scratching your computer, you’ll need to be slow and careful. Peel the sticker back very slightly with your finger, and then use your tool of choice to gently push it backward. Since you’re not breaking down the sticker’s adhesive layer using this method, you may end up with some residue.
While you can get rid of this with your tool, thinner, stickier residue may indeed require heat or a solvent to remove thoroughly.
2. Oil
Oil-based substances are excellent at removing a sticker’s adhesiveness and therefore make it easy to scrape or peel them off your device. You can even use simple cooking oils like olive or sunflower oil to do this. This method is better for paper stickers rather than laminated stickers. So, how do you carry out this method?
Firstly, put a small amount of oil on a cloth or piece of kitchen towel. Then, apply the oil to your sticker and lightly massage it in for a minute or so. Do not apply the oil directly to your computer, as it can easily run and end up in a port or under a key.
After this, you’ll start to see a dark boundary forming at the edges of the sticker. This means that its adhesive layer is being broken down. Once enough of the sticker has this dark area, you can either peel this part back or push it back with a non-pointed tool.
You can then continue applying oil to the peeled back area or the other edges of the sticker to progressively remove it.
3. Solvents
Solvents have many practical applications, but they are also handy in removing stickers. These range from rubbing alcohol to Windex, and you most likely already have some sort of solvent in your home. To remove the sticker shown below, we’re using WD-40, a multipurpose solvent, and a degreaser.
To do this, you’ll first need to add some solvent to a clean, dry cloth. Then, place your cloth over the sticker you’d like to remove, applying just enough pressure to keep it firmly placed on top of it. After one or two minutes, remove the cloth, and try peeling the edge of the sticker to see how easily it comes off. Once again, as with oil, do not apply solvents directly to your device.
If the sticker is still resisting an easy peel, you may not have held the cloth on it long enough, or you may need to add a little more solvent to it. If the sticker begins to come off easily, carefully pull it back until you feel resistance, and then apply more solvent. Keep doing this until the sticker is entirely removed.
When peeling back the sticker, you may notice that the top layer separates from the adhesive layer. If this is the case, use a suitable tool to push the adhesive layer back along with the rest of the sticker.
4. A Hairdryer or Heat Gun
Just applying a little heat can very effectively remove a sticker’s adhesiveness and make it easy to peel off. If you want to use a heat gun or hairdryer, be aware that things can get pretty hot quickly. So, make sure you’re pointing the object away from you to avoid any unexpected burns.
All you have to do is hold your heat gun or hairdryer ten or so centimeters away from the sticker. Keep the heat on it for 30-60 seconds, and then attempt to peel or push back the sticker with a tool.
Once you apply considerable heat to the sticker for some time, your device will most likely be quite hot (it is metal, after all). So, wait a few seconds to ensure you don’t burn yourself. The sticker may come off cleanly, but you may need to use a solvent, oil, or tool to remove any residue that may remain after you peel the sticker back.
5. Vinegar
Vinegar is another common household item that you may already have lying around. So it’s great that this substance works well when it comes to removing stickers.
Removing stickers using vinegar is the same as that with a solvent or oil. Apply a little vinegar to a clean, dry cloth, and then massage it into the sticker for a minute or so.
After this, you’ll probably notice that the edges have softened and you can peel it back. Again, this method may leave a little sticker residue depending on the sticker, but you can still remove it by further applying the vinegar using a tool.
You can also use your finger to do this, as the vinegar should soften any residue to the point that you can remove it easily.
Removing Laptop Stickers Is Easy and Convenient
There’s nothing more satisfying than removing an old sticker. And, using the tips and tricks above, you’ll be able to cleanly remove your unwanted stickers so that your laptop looks exactly as you want it. Whether you’re adding a new sticker set or going for a clean, minimalistic look, you’ll be able to achieve it in no time using household items.
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