Out of Goo Gone? These DIY Adhesive Removers Actually Work.
A paste of baking soda and water is one of our favorite ways to scour stainless steel skillets and loosen long-forgotten crust in microwaves, and it’s also effective at removing adhesives. Similar to dish soap and water, this method takes little effort and requires less scrubbing than Goo Gone.
The paste prolongs contact between water and the adhesive, allowing the water to penetrate into paper and between the adhesive and glass. Plus, the leftover paste is great for scrubbing any remaining residue off with mechanical action.
This method is best for surfaces such as walls, doors, windows, or anything else that you can’t dunk in a soap-and-water solution, because the paste clings to vertical surfaces without dripping. You can use this method on plastic, glass, painted surfaces like walls, and unplated metals. It isn’t suitable for unsealed wood, unsealed natural stone, or plated metals, as the abrasive texture and slightly alkaline pH may damage those materials.
Method:
Mix a stiff paste of baking soda and warm water. The consistency should be similar to toothpaste, so it doesn’t drip.
- For maximum effectiveness, spread the paste over the label or residue with your hands or a scrub brush and then let it sit for about an hour.
- To speed the process, using a scrub brush or cloth, scrub the paste over the surface in gentle circular motions to avoid scratching.
- Once the water has evaporated, leaving behind a crust of baking soda, you can collect the dried baking soda over a bowl and rehydrate it for reuse. With a cloth, wipe away remaining residue.
