Raise your hand if you think I’m anal.
(I’ll pause while you do that).
Well, I probably am. I’m definitely type A. But I think there might be a misconception that our house gleams and the faucets are always shined and there aren’t any toothpaste splatters on the mirrors. Yeah right, I wish. We tried to disprove the whole perfect thing with this video (yes, we leave clothes on the floor and mail in a pile like the rest of the population- haha) and it seemed like the masses were relieved.
We’re human I promise (although I’m pretty sure if I weren’t human I’d pretend that I was for assimilation purposes), and my dirty goo-related secret might just prove that once and for all (prove that I’m human, not prove that I’m an assimilating robot). Check out this lamp – from Linens N Things back in the day – that I’ve had for over four years. That’s more than 1,460 days. Yup, that’s the sticky rectangle left by the clearance tag that was on there when I got it. Yes, the goo is practically an antique. I’ve just never scrubbed it off.
Same with the back of the ceramic container (from Target) from at least two years ago that we use to hold our serving and cooking utensils. I just turn the container sticky-side-back so it faces the wall and go on my merry way.
Of course outing myself makes me feel like I should remedy these two sticky situations (my mom does occasionally skim the blog- hi ma!), so with a little bit of soap (Dr. Bronners if you’re wondering, the almond kind) and some water I’m off to get my scrub on. Let’s hope in ten minutes I’ll be singing “ding dong, the goo is gone.” I have to admit that I’m worried that it might be a bit rough to remove thanks to years of dormancy. So that’s what I’m up to this afternoon (along with continued console bid-ness and some post writing). Whew, outing my sticky secret feels kind of good. I can’t be alone in this can I? Please tell me someone else out there just rotates things so the “flaws” face the wall.
Angela says
Magic Erasers work well too. I use it on all the stuff I find at thrift stores with old sticky tag residue OR on new residue. Goodwill has an annoying habit of putting at least THREE tags on everything.
AntiCookieCutter says
Goo gone is good but the ABSOLUTE BEST and easiest is SPRAY AND WASH. Just spray and in a couple of seconds it will rub right off and you’ll wonder why you didn’t do that sooner. It also works well on clothes!!
Elisha says
at least you take the tags off if I was writing this post we would still be talking about how to remove a tag after 2 years.
Crystal says
Now that you mention it, I do the same thing! I never realized this until now! I have several vases I have left the goo on because more important things beckoned.
However, sometimes I’ll leave the stickers on if they are on the bottom of the object. I only do this when I’ve found a stellar deal and it shows the original price and the price I paid for it so I can find in ten years and smile at the good find ;o)
Crystal says
After reading some more of these posts I’m wondering why some of you don’t use dryer sheets anymore-I love them, but I must be missing something!
Also, you guys should compile a list of all these tips-so incredible how many ideas are in this column!
YoungHouseLove says
We’re just green and crunchy. So we use Seventh Generation detergent and that’s it. Nothing’s scented but it’s clean! And Clara is rash free. Hurrah!
xo,
s
stacy says
Pinterest. Never heard of it before I read your post. Have spent way too much time looking at all sorts of wonderful things. Best. thing. ever.
Ellen says
I hate to be redundant, but Goo-Gone will really do the trick. It has a nice steady stream when applying and you’ll have to let it soak for a while. I thought my car was toast when I took the sticky velcro off my dashboard that I used to fasten my GPS. Let’s just say it looked terrible until a 20-minute Goo-Gone session. Good luck!
Amber says
I’m a Goo Gone girl too– but now I’m coming into the light of seeing that this MAY not be the most natural of substances….especially since it’s combustible…oh well :)
Trish Metcalfe says
You’re not alone in the ‘hiding it’ scenario. My son put a small hole in the wall with his hockey stick. I hung a thermometer over it. It’s still there two years later.
cristina s says
I used to not care about this stuff and just let it be (well kind of). But now I live with a sherry-esk-type-a… So I keep alcohol swabs handy & I tried nail polish in the past but it can do some big damage on certain surfaces & colors so beware!
Amanda says
In my house we use rubbing alcohol (or alcohol rubbing pads, which we have on hand since we have a diabetic in our house) or we use Goo Gone, depending on what the object we are attempting to “un-goo” is.
Amanda says
Hey Sherry, you said you don’t use dryer sheets to be more eco-friendly. Have you thought of using the dryer bars? That way you aren’t creating the waste of using and disposing sheets each time you dry your clothes.
YoungHouseLove says
I’ve heard they’re awesome! We’ll have to try them!
xo,
s
Sarah M says
I tend to leave the stickers on things when I first buy them (because I worry that as soon as I remove the sticker, I’ll hate it and want to return it!) But then I completely forget/am too lazy to go back and take them off…So if you turn over any random candle, doo-dad, picture frame, etc., you’ll see my Ross, TJ Maxx, Home Goods, etc. stickers all over them!! LOL! Loved the video post, and yes, it made me feel much better about the piles of laundry, towels, dishes, etc. that we currently have in our house :) YAY!! We’re all human!!
Lina says
Not sure if anyone has mentioned this one but nail polish remover also works. I use it on frames that have the price sticker on the glass.
Lindsay says
Goo Gone is amazing for this stuff – harmless and works wonders!
Val says
I haven’t read every post, so I’m not sure if this has been mentioned… but try peanut butter! (Then soap and water to get the peanuty smell to go away). It works great.
Beth says
Not sure if this was posted, too many comments to read lol, but rubbing alcohol works every time.
jess says
Teatree oil works wonders on sticky stuff, and smells great too!
samantha says
Nail polish remover works like a charm too!
Deb says
WD 40 ,works everytime ,ranks right up with duck tape when it comes to the many uses ,squeeky doors ,….I even used it to take pvc glue off my hands yesterday .
Hannah Jacklyn says
Seconding the suggestion for goo-gone, works so well. But it seem like the reason it does is because it is so oily, so I am not surprised to hear the suggestion for veg. oil- i will have to try that soon when I run out of my beloved, nearly empty bottle of goo gone.
Oil would be better too because i hate how the strong fake-lemon smell of goo gone stays on my hands forever.
Also, as a side note, have you noticed that the stickers used by the TJX stores (tj maxx, marshalls, homegoods) are always the worst to get off and leave behind the most residue? Maybe they are secretly in business with the makers of goo-gone?
Beth Lester says
I recently tried Mr. Clean magic eraser on a mirror sticker and it worked great.
Sara VT says
Hey Guys! So, I worked at Hallmark for a year and there were lots of gooey things we had to scrape off of things. Rubbing alcohol and a white cloth towel is the secret to removing it. So easy, cheap, and very fast!
Sara VT says
oh, and have you tried essential oils in your laundry. This makes it smell beautiful and is natural!
Crystal says
I love essential oils-how much do you add? Do you just throw it in where you put your detergent? I’m so intrigued!
windylou says
I will second (30?) the goo-gone. I buy mine in small bottles at dollar tree, and stash them all over the house.
Karen says
I learned a little trick about removing sticker goo from an antique shop that came in real handy when removing the goo from the 100 votive candle holders we purchased to use at our wedding reception.
Glycerin, (a key ingredient used in many soap products), removes sticker goo with ease without damaging the surface. The antique shop had a bottle of pure Glycerin but after reading the labels on several brands of hand soap, I found one that it listed Glycerin as one of the ingredients.
It really works…give it a try. An added bonus is that it also cleans the surface in addition to removing the goo.
Kaycie Christine says
Someone may have already suggested this, but the product Goo Gone works wonders for things like this and for all other sticky problems. We LOVE it. Especially because it’s not something used everyday so a bottle lasts a long time. (Plus, it comes in citrus scent and smells delicious)
Lin says
My magic potion is CitraSolv…a natural cleaner and degreaser. It EASILY cuts through anything sticky or gunky and it has a lovely, clean scent of Valencia oranges.
BONUS–CitraSolv also keeps those pesky little sugar ants away. I wipe down my counters every so often and it really helps keep them at bay. Ants don’t like orangey stuff apparently.
Chrissa says
Got Goo Gone? ;)
maria carolina says
Goo Gone, it’s an eco-friendly product, comes in an orange spray bottle, costs around 6 bucks and lasts you a lifetime. I bought mine @ Bed Bath & Beyond, and 2 squirts and 10 minutes later all the adhesive is gone, just wipe with a clen dry cloth ;)
Amy says
WD-40 works like a charm and you don’t have to buy the extra goo be gone! Something everyone likely has around the house…simply spray and rub off!
Page says
Pick up some citrus De Solv It at Wallie World. It’s worth it’s weight in gold for this type of job.
http://www.amazon.com/Desolv-Citrus-Solution-12-oz/dp/B000BQWVTQ/ref=pd_bxgy_k_img_b
Shana Sammons says
I was gonna suggest some goo-gone, but looks like it’s all over this post. Seriously, put a little dab on a make-up pad and save your elbow grease for something else. Also, do you know about the blowdryer trick? When you bring home that new item, don’t even try to pull off the tag without blowdrying it for a minute or two first. Then like magic that tag will come right off leaving absolutely no sticky residue.
Nyssa says
One day my husband brought home some Contractor’s Solvent (http://www.orange-sol.com/contractors/index.html) and I’m hooked using it to remove sticky stuff, paint, etc. all the time! I have used it on glass, ceramic, melamine, book covers and wood to name a few. I thought this would be too harsh to use on most things but it is truly amazing. It is the easiest and fastest working thing I’ve found to use plus it smells amazing!
Lynne Wesenberg says
The ABSOLUTE BEST BEST BEST thing to removing the sticky and doing it fast is lemon oil. Just pure, unadulturated lemon oil. I use a lot of essential oils, and lemon oil is one of the cheapest. It works like a charm to remove sticky labels but it also is great getting paint, etc off hands. Plus it is a natural germ killer, so I use it around the kitchen all the time, especially on counter tops and the butcher block island. As you can tell, I am seriously in love with my lemon oil! Oh, and did a mention that a drop or two in a glass of water “purifies” it? Yep, great stuff is lemon oil!
Lauren Kay says
I work at a flower shop and sometimes I feel like half of my job is to taking care of all that sticker goo! What makes my life easier is Mess Master! All that goo comes off in a snap! It’s not as organic as some other options but I would be scrubbing for days without it. I’ve also even used it to completely clean a spray painted vase. After some elbow work it was back to it’s original clear glass form.
pattilouwho says
ok, I know it’s not the most eco friendly option, but when I used to work at a picture framing shop, we used lighter fluid on glass to remove sticky residue from the packing tape. we just put a little on the edge of a razor blade and it took any sticky stuff off with little to no elbow grease at all.
Crystal says
I seriously just want to send you a bottle of goo gone! I really do think it’s pretty natural. I recently got cute appetizer plates and two of them had giant stickers on the front. Somehow this didn’t stop my hubby from running them through the dishwasher and just throwing them up in the cabinet with giant sticky/sticker mess all over them. I pulled them out and with one spritz and about 30 seconds the whole thing was cleaned up. Couldn’t help but laugh since the “hard work” he was avoiding was comically easy to get done. This stuff isn’t abrasive like some of the methods mentioned but it is an oil so don’t put it on anything porous. Goo gone and Mr. Clean Magic Eraser are the two cleaning products that I simply must have at the ready.
Natalie says
Thanks for being real with us!
Sidenote: A VERY similar lamp is available at West Elm…for $150!
http://www.westelm.com/products/gourd-table-lamp-w482/?pkey=e|gourd%2Blamp|1|best|0|1|24||1&cm_src=PRODUCTSEARCH||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_-Common%20Rule%20Top%20Wide%20Kitchen-_-
Well done on finding its budget-friendly Target twin! :)
Natalie says
http://www.westelm.com/products/gourd-table-lamp-w482/?pkey=ctable-lamps
YoungHouseLove says
Cute!
xo,
s
Natalie says
{sorry, the first link didn’t work!}
Kim says
PEANUT BUTTER! Any sort of mineral or vegetable oil will work but peanut butter has the same amount of lipophilic properties as oils but it will stick to a surface better, allowing the oils break down any gummy substance and easier clean up. It’s a slow chemical process. The harder the stick, the longer you need to leave the peanut butter on. I usually leave PB on overnight. Oh, and it’s CHEAP!
Shay says
The best goo remover is lighter fluid! People even use to to restore old books (remove tape and the like). Sometimes it takes a couple passes but I’ve yet to find anything that works better. Best luck!
Leanne says
i’ve used a steel wool pad on glass to get rid of stuck on goop– haven’t scratched anything yet, and it works really easily. Hope you had some success!
Erin says
i use goo gone. love that stuff. soap and elbow grease works too but you don’t need so much of the latter with goo gone. plus it has a nice orange scent which isn’t too bad.
Sam says
Down under we use eucalyptus oil. Works brilliantly, smells like the bush and zero nasties.
Brilliant also for stuffy noses – a drop on a hanky in your pillow slip means a decent sleep without resorting to pharmaceuticals.
Abby says
Peanut butter or mayonnaise work well too. Both are a bit messy, but they clean up well. Just dap some on and rub it into the goo, and it comes off. It only takes a couple of minutes, and if you’re watching TV, it takes no time at all. :)
Michelle says
They also have small bottles of Goo Gone at the Dollar Tree stores. I had a TOUGH label on some containers I wanted to use for storage later. My Grandmother told me “that will never come off.” I said “watch me.” Laid that sucker on it’s side, left a paper towel covered with the Goo Gone and in an hour or so, it peeled right off! Swear by it! I use it for EVERYTHING. The bottles list all kinds of other uses that it’s good for. I’ve taken it up on most of them.
Shannon Burke says
I’ve used saran wrap plus water – just wet the goop with water and rub it with the saran wrap and it comes off. Very cool.
Wendy says
I just wanted to let you know that I tried the dryer sheet tonight based on the suggestions on this post. It kinda’ worked. I was removing a price sticker from a picture frame and it removed most of the sticky stuff. But I was scrubbing pretty hard to get the last little bit and I just gave up and sprayed on some goo gone. A few minutes later (with no scrubbing and it came right off). So I’d say it kinda’ worked, but I probably wouldn’t try it again.
Bill says
Like many on this site, I have benefited a ton by your stuff. I have plenty of my “Goo” as well. :) Keep up the great posts!