Removing your screen protector is a tricky job. It can make your device hard to use and will also take away your cool. Nobody wants to use a phone with a sticky touchscreen, which is why we have curated this guide on how to remove screen protector adhesive fast and easily.
Cleaning off the screen protector’s adhesive can be really annoying, especially when you don’t know what to do. If you want your device to work at its optimal performance, then this guide is for you.
How to Remove Screen Protector Glue?
An old or broken tempered glass screen protector can leave behind a sticky, smeary mess on your device’s screen. This sticky residue can collect dust and make your phone look less attractive. We know how frustrating it is to see your device’s screen getting darker. Don’t worry if you want to get rid of leftover adhesive. We will help you out.
This guide includes all the information regarding how to remove screen protector adhesive with quick and easy methods. Here are some methods that you can use to remove the sticky residue from the screen and make your cleaning task much easier.
Method 1. Use vinegar
Dip a microfiber cloth in a solution of water and vinegar (use less water than vinegar), then apply the damp cloth to the sticky surface. Let the solution rest on the screen for a couple of minutes so that it can dissolve the adhesive effectively. Now, you can easily rub off the sticky residue using the cloth.
Method 2. Finger rubbing
This is the most common and widely used method that you can use to get rid of the sticky residue. You can totally skip this method if the surface is too sticky, as things can get worse. If not, use your fingers to "roll up" the glue and wipe down the screen with a damp cloth.
Method 3. Petroleum jelly
You can also apply petroleum jelly onto the sticky surface and allow it to settle for a few hours. It will dissolve the glue and make it easier for you to scrape it off using a credit card. After that, use a damp cloth to remove the leftover residue.
Method 4. Using Alcohol
Another method for removing adhesive residue is to opt for alcohol. Use a soft mesh cloth and dab a little alcohol on it. Now, apply it over the sticky area and leave it for a few minutes. It will soak up the adhesive and allow you to rub it off using your fingers. But remember that alcohol may affect the paint on your phone, so be mindful.
Steps to clean off screen protector glue：
To get a clean and efficient job, make sure you follow the steps mentioned below:
- First, turn off your phone to highlight the leftover adhesive so that you know where you need to clean.
- Now take a lint-free cloth and rub it all over the surface to clean your phone. Sometimes the adhesive might come off when rubbing it with a mesh cloth.
- Dab a little cooking oil and apply it to the sticky area. It will loosen the adhesive without damaging the natural protective layer of the device.
- Or you can use alcohol instead of cooking oil; it will help remove stubborn glue on the screen.
If you don’t have alcohol, try giving mayonnaise a shot, as it will soften the glue and make your cleaning job easier. Apply a thin layer of mayo on the sticky surface and let it sit for about 20 minutes. Then gently remove the adhesive and mayo layer with a soft mesh cloth. Be mindful to avoid getting mayonnaise in the charging port or speaker when rubbing it off.
Steps to clean the sticky side of a screen protector：
When you remove the screen protector, it is easy to leave fingerprints, dirt, and other particles on the sticky surface. So, I advise you to clean that sticky side of a screen protector before disposing of it. You can follow the steps mentioned below.
- Pick up the screen protector and keep the adhesive side under running water.
- Now clean the sticky surface using dish soap gently. It will get rid of dust, fingerprint stains, and other fine particles trapped by the glue.
- Use a hairdryer to dry both sides of a screen protector.
- If you are performing these steps in a dusty room, your screen protector might pick up some dust particles again. Don’t worry, use a strip of masking tape and turn it around in a loop.
- Now dab the looped tape on the adhesive surface of the screen protector where you spot dust particles. It will help in extracting every bit of dust that lands on the surface.
- After removing every particle on the screen protector, use a soft mesh cloth to wipe down any dust particles on your device that have been collected on the surface.
- Now you are ready to place your fingerprint-free or dust-free screen protector on the device’s surface.
How do you clean your phone's screen protector?
Sometimes debris may get trapped between the protector and your device’s screen, which makes the screen look marred. You might feel tempted to get rid of that bubble, only to make the situation even worse.
We know that cleaning the adhesive side of the screen protector is a little tricky, especially when you don’t know what to do. You can follow the steps below to clean the screen protector of a phone.
For external cleaning:
- Use a cleaning solution of water and dish soap and carefully apply it over the screen.
- Apply the mixture for about 15 seconds to work its way into dissolving grime particles.
- Finally, you can use a soft mesh cloth to wipe off each corner of the screen protector.
For internal cleaning:
- You should keep a soft cloth, packing tape, and cleaning solution handy.
- Now, carefully lift the screen protector using your nails or a toothpick.
- Lift it enough to slide in a business card or chip, but be careful with glass pieces.
- Get your hands on two corners while pulling slowly the screen protector.
- Make sure you don’t scratch the screen while removing the glass.
- Voila! After successfully removing the glass, you have to follow the steps mentioned above for cleaning the adhesive side of a screen protector.
Final thoughts
We hope this guide on how to remove screen protector adhesive helped you in every way possible. Now you will never have to worry about cleaning the tempered glass or bubbles on your device again.
