How to Remove Sticker Residue | Better Homes & Gardens Once you peel off an adhesive-back sticker or label from a surface, you might be stuck with some gluey, gummy gunk left behind. And sometimes, it can be downright stubborn to remove. Figuring out how to get rid of sticker residue isn't difficult, but if you're tempted to scrape the spot with a putty knife or metal blade, don't.