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Good Questions: How Can I Remove This Residue?

3.17wall.jpgHello AT,

The people who lived in our house before us had a stick-on corner shelf in the shower.

What's left is this eye-sore. Do you know a way to remove this?

Also, another question.

I see more and more microfiber towels in the stores.

Have you give it a try? Are they worth the buzz?

Thanks! Alia



(Note: Include a pic of your problem and your question gets posted first.)

Comments (22)

goo be gone???

posted by dar on 2008-03-17 15:44:26
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I'd try one of those steam-cleaners before I applied some chemical that could damage whatever it is that your shower is made of.

posted by bepsf on 2008-03-17 15:46:23
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steamer? I once steamed off 30-year-old shower daisies.

posted by robyn on 2008-03-17 15:46:49
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The microfiber towels are great for cleaning. I especially use them on my dog's muddy paws...but as far as I can tell, they don't wash all that great...

posted by MarieE123 on 2008-03-17 15:51:25
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toothpaste and an old toothbrush work really well. if that fails, Goof-off will probably work.

microfiber cleaning cloths work well. they are not miraculous, but do pick up and hang on to dust, hair, lint, etc, instead of smearing it around. i have a microfiber string mop from Casabella that i love

posted by mrs yow on 2008-03-17 15:59:55
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Try WD40 which cleans everything and is basically fish oil

posted by parrishnut on 2008-03-17 16:00:33
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you might also try magic eraser pads - also no chemical way

posted by parrishnut on 2008-03-17 16:01:15
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Regarding microfiber towels, I've been told on numerous occasions that they absolutely must be washed *separately* from other items since they'll pick up all the lint during the wash.

posted by mdunlop on 2008-03-17 16:06:31
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I have a similar grossness from some failed fixture of yore, and I just figured I'd have to chalk it up to charm for the whole time I live there. Thanks for the ray of hope!

posted by cakekick on 2008-03-17 16:17:56
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I have used many different microfiber cloth products, and the ones that really work are the real Swedish ones. I have been using them for 10 years now, and still swear by them. Don't have the same problems with washing them that other people have mentioned, but like I said, all microfiber cloths are not alike.

Here are the ones that I have found to be the best:

http://www.vikan.com/sw4435.asp

https://www.euronetusa.com/shop/home.php

posted by monika1 on 2008-03-17 16:19:36
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I use my microfibers for most everything from washing dishes to cleaning. I toss them in with the washcloths and although they do stick to the terry, I just peel them off and fold. There doesn't seem to be any decrease in effectiveness. Great for catching the cat hair, dust, etc. IMO.

posted by peardown on 2008-03-17 16:25:09
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Use peanut butter to get sticky gunk off. After I found out how well that works, I've had a hard time wanting to eat the stuff...

The microfiber towels are great for cleaning windows, floors, etc. Just don't use fabric softener on them.

posted by ADonuts on 2008-03-17 16:52:42
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goo gone, baby. goo gone.

posted by Lady J on 2008-03-17 17:31:55
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if goo-gone doesn't work I'd try Goanna Eucalyptus oil - get old soft terry towel and rub hard. Or orange solvent?

posted by Bianca on 2008-03-17 18:06:18
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I don't know.... maybe you should keep it. It looks like art..

posted by Ian B on 2008-03-17 18:20:07
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Goo-Gone!

posted by gryt on 2008-03-17 18:34:30
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I'm the one who asked the question... It's dried glue with some remainings of the adhesive tape itself. I guess Goof Off would be a good thing to try (never used it before). Oils don't seem to work.

About the microfiber towels - my questions was actually about the hair towels, like these ones: http://www.britanne.com/products/hair.shtml Did anyone use them?

posted by Nudik on 2008-03-17 18:34:33
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Can't be certain without knowing exactly what's in the glue but odds are it won't come out without some sort of organic solvent, which eliminates most of the green cleaning agents like toothpaste, baking soda and vinegar, lemon juice, etc.

Goo gone and the like are made from limonene, which is a solvent derived from citrus fruits. It's generally less harsh than turpentine or paint thinner, but can be a mild skin irritant.

Rubbing alcohol might also work, although most of what is sold in drugstores is pretty dilute.

And whoever mentioned using a steam is onto something. I doubt steam will remove the goo entirely, but if you can soften it a bit, it will clean up better with the solvent. Like the way sugar dissolves faster in hot water than in cold. But don't heat the solvent. I mean, it might work, but some of those things have fairly low flashpoints!

posted by lurker2209 on 2008-03-17 19:09:21
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goo gone is a great product for this sort of thing - but you should definitely try it somewhere else on the tub first to make sure it doesn't strip anything you want off with it...

posted by rsilverman on 2008-03-17 21:03:37
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i use microfiber hair towel and it's great! it absorbs water much better than a regular towel so your hair needs less drying when you take it off. also, just one compact hair towel can dry your whole body like a full size regular towel.

posted by liuba on 2008-03-17 22:05:54
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i second rsilverman - goo gone eats plastic, vinyl and many other porous surfaces - read the warning label carefully and test a teensy spot if you're still not sure.

posted by BostonGal on 2008-03-17 22:51:24
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Seriously, try the peanut butter. The cheaper the better.

posted by ADonuts on 2008-03-19 15:56:37
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