How to remove glue residue

[AnnAnne]

I've always been troubled by not knowing how to remove glue residue.

The worst is glue left after peeling off labels. I've used hair dryer heat and water soak plus scrub to get by. Now I'm confronted with residue left from size labels on a pair of thongs bought from a discount store. I'm sure if I wear these thongs several times the patch will show, and the sticky feeling is most unpleasant, too.

Any way to "dissolve" the glue? Without leaving a mark on the soft material which does not look like leather and is rather absorbent similar to cardboard though I'm sure it's not.

Ana

[Dale Benjamin]

Mineral spirits works well, but might take a little scrubbing sometimes. Paint thinner from a hardware store in a 2 gallon can is much more economical than smaller packages. It's often mixed with other stuff and sold in small bottles under a variety of names, they don't work much better.

[Phisherman]

[Harry Everhart]

I have been using "Goo Gone" for 10 years - it works very well. It also smells great with a strong orange scent.

[Tom Miller]

WD40 takes labels and glue off.

[win-ho-lee]

The difference between a mother, and a grandfather may be similarly shown: Chewing gum is removed from the hair of a child, with peanutbutter by a mother, and with lighter fluid by a grandfather.

[AnnAnne]

GooGone did it. Thanks everyone.

Ana