When tourists visit Chicago, they’ll see two types of drivers: those who have a collection of annual window car stickers on the right-hand side of their car windows or those who dutifully remove the sticker each year before adding a new one. (Interestingly, in the nearby city of Evanston, there is no $200 fine for not having these stickers. Instead, there’s a city tax.) So why does one group keep piling on those stickers instead of removing them? Because stickers are a nuisance to remove, and no one wants that sticker residue mark.

Sometimes you’ll get half the sticky residue off. Other times the sticker will crumble like bread. Then, there are the stickers that easily come off but leave the entire square of elastic behind. And it’s not just automobile window stickers. It can be school supply stickers, arts and craft stickers, bumper stickers, or even Christmas decal and vinyl stickers. It doesn’t have to be this way though. Here are a few tips for how to remove sticker residue.

Single-Edge Small Razor Blades

For less than $5, single-edge blade replacements can save you from a lot of sticker residue. Carefully angle the razor blade to fully pull up one edge of the sticker. Then, slowly and patiently keep moving the sticker toward the middle. Even for stickers that have been firmly in place for a year or more, the blade can expertly get underneath both the window sticker design and the adhesive or paste to pull it all up together. But in order to smoothly pull up both at the same time, you must make sure to not keep moving the razor forward without the adhesive. If you notice that the sticker is coming up but the adhesive is not, carefully scrape the sticker residue away and move under that area to pick up where you left off. You may get one-quarter of the sticker up and have to stop. Take a short break. Then, get back to it.

Butter Or Cooking Oil

While soapy water may be able to remove sticker residue on some surfaces, that works better on new stickers. Instead, try using butter or cooking oil. For similar reasons for why cooking oil can make a cast iron skillet look as good as new, it can also work this kind of magic on sticker residue removal. However, only use this technique on glass and plastic; other surfaces will end up doing more smearing than cleaning. Apply the oil to the sticky area, then let it soften. Ideally, once it’s softened on the surface, the window sticker residue can be scraped away with your fingers, a takeout knife or a scraper. Use a microfiber cloth to wipe away the rest.

Mayonnaise

This condiment is good for more than tuna salad and sandwiches. Turns out it can remove sticker residue too. It has white vinegar’s acidity and oil’s greasiness, which work together to break down sticky residue. Leave it on the sticky surface for approximately 15 minutes, then wipe off.

White Vinegar

Like cooking oil, the acidity will help to loosen sticker residue so it can be removed. This non-toxic, all-purpose cleaner works well on a number of surfaces. But be careful with this one because it can leave a greasy residue so make sure certain furniture and flooring is covered. If you’re removing white vinegar from a window, avoid splashing on hardwood flooring, natural stone tiles, natural carpets and rugs, or unfinished leather. Other types of furniture, such as suede, are OK if removing sticker residue with white vinegar results in a little splashing.

Rubber Erasers

While this may only work for mild sticker residue, simply erasing the area may help to lift and remove the sticker residue onto the eraser. However, you may find that the window sticker residue results in ruining your eraser. If you can get the sticker residue off, then try rubbing the remnants on a piece of paper to see if you can transfer the residue without the sticker turning completely black and smudged.

Masking Tape

While it may seem odd to add adhesive onto adhesive, rolling masking tape between your index and middle fingers can help lift the sticker residue up. If you find that you’re adding more sticky residue on, stop immediately. Otherwise, press in place and pull away. (Even if it doesn’t work, dog owners should always keep masking tape in stock, specifically to avoid looking like their clothes are made of fur.)

Hair Dryer

Window stickers, including Christmas decorations, are one of the toughest types of sticker residue to remove, as mentioned. But removing the residue at home instead of the car is easier for one main reason: hair dryers. Apply warm (not hot) heat to the area to loosen the residue from window and vinyl stickers, and then try rubbing it off by hand.

Patience Is Key for Sticker Residue Removal

If you find that one of these seven options doesn’t work, wait a beat. The first technique you choose may actually work, but patience is needed. Some sticker residue removal just won’t be instant. The whole goal of it is to stick onto the surface and not to easily come off. Technically, that means the sticker is doing its job. If round two or round three doesn’t work, test the next tip to see if you can get yourself out of this sticky situation. Good luck!