To be fed up with STICKER RAGE! (light hearted)

[shovetheholly]

I just bought a couple of fridge containers from Aldi.

There is a sticker THE SIZE OF A PIECE OF A4 PAPER welded to the bottom with what appears to be a variant of superglue.

Water does not remove it.

Detergent does not remove it.

Soaking does not remove it.

Even white spirit doesn't remove it.

AIBU to want to get all CEOs of companies into a room and say "For GOD'S SAKE MAKE REMOVABLE STICKERS EASY PEEL!"

(Yes, I realise this is a first world problem, and we are on the verge of cataclysmic environmental and political change... but I would prefer not to spend my remaining time until the apocalypse scrubbing stickers off plastic).

[SapphireSeptember]

Is it paper? My removal tactic for those is to get the sticker wet and scrub off all the paper, leave it to dry for a bit, then get duct tape, tear a bit off and make a loop, sticky side out. Apply sticky duct tape to the sticky stuff left on the plastic with a dabbing motion, (it can take a while to warm up) and it will eventually come off, though you might have to get a fresh bit of tape. Then I go over it with a baby wipe to see if there's any stickiness left.
I started doing this with make up, as some have stickers and security tags that are incredibly sticky but using nail polish remover damaged the plastic. Sometimes you can use the stickers themselves to get rid of the sticky residue, but sometimes you need extra help.

[igivein]

Warm it up with a hairdryer, it will then peel off.

[BaldricksTrousers]

www.diy.com/departments/de-solv-it-sticky-stuff-adhesive-remover-bottle-250-ml/254704_BQ.prd

This stuff will change your life.

[shovetheholly]

Neither boiling water nor a hairdryer work - this thing is sealed on and it's HUGE!

I'll try the duct tape!

I suppose I just don't understand why companies use this kind of sticker. They must know it creates a whole bunch of work for the people buying the stuff, right??. I wouldn't mind paying a bit more not to have to deal with it.

[shovetheholly]

Aha baldricks - bring out the chemicals! I think I'm going to need some of that stuff, nothing else is working.

[BaldricksTrousers]

It really does work.

Also worth pointing out that water, detergent, and white spirit are also chemicals :)

[FlysInDreams]

WD40?

[shovetheholly]

WD40 is not working either . My kitchen smells a treat now with the white spirit and that and tons of detergent...

It's not just these particular stickers, though. Though I hate these with the fiery passion of 1000 suns, I hate with the only mildly less fiery passion of 500 suns the TK Maxx stickers that break off in tiny, tiny pieces, leaving a series of circles that you have to fingernail off.

WHAT IS WRONG WITH EASY PEEL!! IT IS A REMARKABLE INVENTION! WHY DON'T THESE COMPANIES USE IT?!?!?!?

[ParadiseCity]

When you have removed it please can you send it to me, I have a colleague who could do with their mouth being taped up today. Sounds like your sticker is just what I need. Or just send me any leftover chemicals and I will drink them and put myself out of this misery.

[shovetheholly]

Hahahaha! Oh paradise sorry you're having a bad morning.

Maybe it's worth carrying a roll of duct tape in your bag. Just in case...

[CigarsofthePharoahs]

I've had good results with the sticky stuff remover. On very stubborn labels I have soaked a piece of kitchen roll in it and left that sat on the offending label for a long time. However if even white spirit hasn't worked, I don't know what will!

[shovetheholly]

I have given up and put them in the dishwasher, even though the labels say not to. I just don't have time to spend another hour scrubbing!

[Okite]

I have that exact container and mine is soaking in water right now. I do have an industrial strength adhesive remover somewhere in the garage, sounds like I'll have to dig it out.
Must post on ALDI Facebook page...

[shovetheholly]

We should form a pressure group called Sisters Against Stickers (SAS).

[Mehfruittea]

I think we need a picture in order to diagnose the correct glue variant and offer solutions

[Okite]

Here's mine!

[shovetheholly]

Argh, mine is in the dishwasher now - maybe okite can supply one. Basically this is the container, and the entire bottom is a sticker which is glued ALL OVER!

When you soak it, the top layer comes off but all the underlying paper and glue mix is still there. Scrubbing gets through it, but the glue is so sticky it then adheres to the sides and the outside when you try to rinse off.

[shovetheholly]

I think you're doing better than me okite - you look like you've managed to get some of the base layer off!

[Mehfruittea]

Aha! Fab picture. I prescribe margarine. Smear liberally and leave for 10 mins or so. Then mix a paste of salt and water to use as a scrub to get the bastardy bits off.

Good luck!

[butterfliesandzebras]

I agree, if you make a product with packaging that needs the sticker to be removed, then make it easy to do so!

[Squills]

I hate packaging and labels! The number of times I've nearly lacerated my fingers trying to extricate something innocuous from its hermetically sealed package - you'd think it was plutonium they were encasing.

For labels I use Goo-Gone - I've found it to be really effective on the stickiest type.

[NotAPuffin]

Burn it with fire.

The resulting loss of the box would surely be a small price to pay.

[shovetheholly]

Ahem.

So it is NOT a good idea to put these boxes in the dishwasher.

One is fine. The other is distinctly wibbly.

BUT THE STICKER IS OFF!!!

[Mehfruittea]

Horah! Congratulations on removal of offending sticker. 50% collateral damage is a small price to pay...

[Callaird]

Olive oil works well on stickers. Apply with kitchen towel and leave for at least 15 minutes, sometimes needs a second go with the under layer.