How to Safely Remove Stickers, Tape, and Student Labels from Devices

Stickers, tape, and student labels are unavoidable in K-12 device programs. Chromebooks, iPads, and tablets cycle through hundreds or thousands of students, and each transition often leaves behind adhesive residue, torn labels, or sticky buildup.

When removed incorrectly, labels can damage screens, strip protective coatings, or leave devices looking prematurely worn. For school IT directors and district technology leaders managing large fleets on tight budgets, knowing how to safely remove stickers and tape from school devices is a small detail that can have an outsized impact on device lifespan and replacement costs.

This guide covers safe, proven methods for removing stickers, tape, and student labels from school-issued devices without damaging hardware.

Why Sticker and Label Removal Is a Real Problem for School IT Teams

In 1:1 device environments, labels serve important purposes: asset tracking, student identification, and theft deterrence. Over time, though, they create challenges for IT departments:

• Adhesive residue builds up on keyboards, lids, and palmrests
• Improper removal scratches plastics or removes protective coatings
• Devices look worn during audits or refresh cycles
• Manual cleanup adds labor to already overloaded IT teams

Across large districts, these small issues compound quickly.

What Not to Do When Removing Stickers from Devices

Before diving into best practices, it’s important to be clear about what causes damage.

Avoid:

• Metal scrapers or razor blades, which can scratch housings and screens
• Harsh chemicals like acetone or ammonia, which can damage plastics and screen coatings
• Excess liquid cleaners, which can seep into ports or internal components
• High heat tools, which may warp plastics or weaken internal adhesives

Both Google and Apple explicitly caution against abrasive tools and harsh chemicals when cleaning devices:

• Apple’s official guidance
• Google Chromebook care recommendations

Safe Methods for Removing Stickers and Tape from School Devices

1. Use Gentle, Controlled Heat

Low heat helps soften adhesive so labels release cleanly.

Best practices:

• Use a heat gun on the lowest heat setting
• Keep heat moving, never hold it in one place
• Warm the label just enough to loosen the adhesive

This method works well for Chromebook lids and tablet backs.

2. Peel Slowly at a Shallow Angle

Once the adhesive softens:

• Peel slowly, not forcefully
• Pull the label back at a shallow angle instead of straight up

This reduces tearing and minimizes leftover residue.

3. Remove Residue with Isopropyl Alcohol (70% or Higher)

For remaining adhesive:

• Use a microfiber cloth lightly dampened with isopropyl alcohol
• Rub gently in small circles
• Never spray liquid directly onto the device

Both Apple and Google confirm that isopropyl alcohol is safe when used properly on device surfaces:

• Apple’s official guidance
• Google Chromebook care recommendations

4. Take Extra Care with Screens

If labels were placed on screens:

• Test cleaning methods on a small corner first
• Avoid aggressive pressure
• Never use abrasive pads or scrapers

Better yet, establish policies that prohibit labels on screens entirely.

Bonus Suggestion: Plastic scrapers are a great tool! You can use either plastic razor blades or spudgers for the best results. 

How School IT Teams Can Prevent Sticker Damage Long-Term

The easiest sticker to remove is the one that was applied correctly or not at all.

District IT leaders can reduce future damage by:

• Standardizing approved label placement zones
• Using removable or low-tack asset labels
• Avoiding permanent vinyl or industrial adhesives
• Educating staff and students on proper labeling practices

These small process changes significantly reduce cleanup time during redeployment.

When Manual Cleaning No Longer Scales

For small fleets, manual sticker removal may be manageable. At district scale, it often isn’t.

As device counts grow, sticker removal becomes:

• Time-consuming
• Inconsistent across technicians
• A hidden cost during refresh cycles

This is where professional school device repair and refurbishment services can reduce strain on internal IT teams.

How iTurity Supports School Device Repair and Refresh Cycles

iTurity works with K-12 IT departments to handle high-volume Chromebook and tablet repair, refurbishment, and turnaround so devices come back clean, functional, and ready for redeployment.

School IT leaders partner with iTurity to:

• Reduce device downtime
• Extend device lifespan
• Eliminate manual refurbishment bottlenecks
• Maintain consistent, professional device fleets

From cracked screens to full device refresh support, iTurity is built for the scale schools operate at.

Final Thoughts for School IT Directors

Sticker and label removal may seem minor, but done incorrectly it damages devices and accelerates replacement cycles. Done correctly, it helps districts stretch budgets and keep devices in students’ hands.

If your IT team is spending too much time cleaning and repairing devices between deployments, it may be time to rethink how that work gets done.

Need help with large-scale school device repair or refurbishment?
iTurity supports K-12 IT teams with fast, reliable repair services designed specifically for education environments.