I’m sharing this Goo Be Gone DIY with you today because of my New Year’s Resolutions to be thrifty and use fewer kitchen chemicals and well, because it works!
I’m quite demanding when making homemade products. I can’t stand waste or mediocre performance.
I’ve been trying to get labels off of various containers, both plastic and glass, that could be put back into service. I will tell you that I recognize that there are many types of glue used on labels and that one solution probably won’t fit all.
Trial and Error
I tried a number of suggestions I found on the net including: rubbing alcohol, fingernail polish remover, olive oil, peanut butter, as well as just soaking and scrubbing to infinity.
All of these worked to a certain degree, but all of them, even after a thorough washing left behind at least a little scum. I would say that soaking with warm water and then using olive oil worked the best out of these.
Figuring out what works
Then I found a new suggestion: use coconut oil and baking soda. So I then put it to work on a large label that I’d been soaking and pulling at. (See above.)
I already had these things in my pantry and I love both them, but I’d never thought of combining them. I tried finger-scrubbing a bit of it and it seemed to be working. What really put it over the top for me was stirring in a few drops of liquid dish detergent.
I applied a thin coating of the mixture and after allowing it to sit for a few minutes the rest of the label came right off with very little scrubbing.
It was a happy result. I needed a label for my new little jar of Goo Be Gone. I’d apparently used a jar that had contained some of my Green Tomato Salsa from a few years ago.
I tried a bit of the Goo Be Gone on the lid to see if it would remove the sharpie marker labeling that hadn’t come off in the dishwasher. It took very little scrubbing and came off quite easily.
My husband asked me to try using it on a nice steak knife that had had the unfortunate accident of being wrapped in packing tape. (Don’t ask!)
As you can see, the tape gunk came off beautifully. That made me so very happy. 🙂
If you’d like sparkling clean shower glass pronto, try this: Sparkling Shower Glass
Here is the recipe:
Goo–Be–Gone Recipe
(Makes about 3/4 of a cup)
Ingredients:
1/4 cup Coconut oil (melted)
1/2 cup baking soda
2-3 teaspoons liquid dish detergent
Directions:
1. In a small bowl stir all 3 ingredients together thoroughly.
2. Place mixture in an airtight container.
3. To use, rub onto damp surface and allow to set for 5-10 minutes before scrubbing gently and then rinse generously. Repeat if needed.
My conclusion: Overall, this mixture works surprisingly well. I think the addition of the the detergent boosts it’s cleaning ability.
My cautions & suggestions are these:
1. It smells good, but shouldn’t be eaten. Keep it out of the reach of children.
2. Don’t use on a soft surface that you think may scratch easily.
3. Don’t use on clothing. It may leave an oil spot.
4. If the mixture doesn’t rinse off completely, use a few drops of dish detergent on a damp rag and rinse again.
Special thanks to:
This is genius! I’m so making some today… Thanks so much for sharing!!
Do you think this would work with any kind of oil? My youngest is allergic to coconut so we don’t have it in our home.
My second choice would be olive oil, but i would try the oil you are most comfortable using. Please share what you discover!
I have got to try this. Not having to use chemicals would be great. I’ve been using a product called “Goo Gone” which has always worked in removing labels but has a chemical smell and is oily. I hope this works on my stubborn labels.
Thanks so much for the work you put into this website, Laura.
I’m blown away! This stuff actually works. Only took two applications on some seriously gunked up label glue on a couple of jars. Came off fairly easily the first time around on a few other items. No strong smell, nice and thick so it stays put, and no chemicals. It’s a win all the way ’round! Thanks for sharing with us.
So glad you like it! Thanks for letting me know.
It’s great you’ve found a way to make a product with fewer chemicals. I am all about reducing chemical use and finding ingredients that are better for you and the environment! Can’t wait to try this out!
I am going to try this. I plan on adding a little lemon oil or orange oil, never saw anything remove adhesive faster than lemon oil. I use essential oils, but its too pricey to use all the time. I can’t wait to try this with about 10 drops added to the mix. Thanks!
Great idea, Janice!… Please let us know how it works for you.
What type of dish detergent? I’m thinking of using the good old standby Dawn blue.
Yes, I like dawn too.
I am going to make this.
But for a fact, I spray dawn on black marker let is sit for less than 5 minutes and the marker comes off. Lids, plastic bags!
Thanks for the great tip!