Have you ever reached for your hair dryer, flat iron, screwdriver, or mouse, only to recoil at their unexpectedly sticky feel? Well, you’re in luck, because I’m about to unveil the ultimate hack to clean sticky rubber and plastic surfaces! Get ready to get that sticky shit off of those surfaces and transform those tacky gadgets back into sleek, smooth marvels and keep your sanity intact!
You know the deal with hair dryers, right? Eventually, for some odd reason, the older they are, the grosser their rubber and plastic surfaces get. The rubber or plastic surfaces turn into a sticky nightmare, therefore you are going to need to get that sticky shit off your rubber and plastic surfaces at some point in time, so keep reading.
It’s like this weird, icky feeling that seems to multiply every time you touch it. You don’t want to touch other things because it feels like sap is on your hands.
Table of Contents
My Story + How to Clean Sticky Rubber and Plastic Surfaces
So, here I was, rummaging through my drawer of hair essentials – hair dryers, flat irons, curling irons, you name it. And bam! My hand hits the black hair dryer that has that sticky shit all over the plastic and rubber parts, and YUCK!
Sticky as can be! At first, I’m thinking, “What the efff spilled on this?” But then, lightbulb moment – it wasn’t a spill at all. Just my good old hair dryer showing its age.
I gotta be honest, my first reaction was to pitch the thing, but then I thought about how expensive everything is. And then I thought about how infrequently I use a basic hair dryer ( I use my Dyson lots it dries better) and decided to figure out how to clean sticky rubber and plastic surfaces so I can keep it.
The Sticky Shit Situation: It’s More Common Than You Think!
Sticky and tacky rubber and plastic surfaces are not limited to hair dryers. Flat irons, curling irons, screwdrivers, and even computer mice can get that nasty sticky residue. But fear not! I’ve got the perfect solution to tackle this.
I’ve got to tell you something though about the sticky shit on the plastic and rubber: it will come back even after you clean it, over and over again. This is a temporary fix, but it will still extend the lifespan by a bit.
Do note that this has nothing to do with the interior but more of the stuff the plastic and rubber are made of and the longer an appliance sits, unused the worse this sticky shit (for lack of a better word) gets.
What Doesn’t Work To Clean Sticky Rubber and Plastic Surfaces
Before I spill the tacky magic solution, let me tell you what doesn’t work.
Trust me, I’ve gone all in figuring out what would work without using WD-40:
- Dawn and Rubbing Alcohol: My go-to for, like, everything. But for this? A big, fat nope.
- Detergent Alone: I might as well have been using water. Utterly useless.
- Makeup Remover: Great for mascara, terrible for sticky appliances.
- WD-40: I avoided this completely for a multitude of reasons.
The Magic Solution To Clean Sticky Rubber and Plastic Surfaces
My simple magic formula is Simple Yet Effective and very inexpensive, as well as something that you have on hand!
So, what’s this miracle cure?
Hold onto your hats, because it’s… rubbing alcohol!
Yes, that’s it.
The step-by-step on how to clean sticky rubber and plastic surfaces
- Grab a Microfiber Cloth: We’re going eco-friendly and avoiding extra waste.
- Douse it in Rubbing Alcohol: Not too wet, not too dry, but instead, just right!
- Scrub-a-dub-dub: Put some elbow grease into it, and it disappears!
Transforming Your Sticky Plastic and Rubber Surfaces
- Identify the Sticky Areas: Where’s that gross tacky stuff that feels like pine sap? Find it.
- Prep Your Cloth: Remember, moderately soaked with rubbing alcohol.
- Gentle Scrubbing: Go in circular motions for even cleaning.
- Rinse and Dry: Use a clean, dry cloth to wipe off any residue.
Clean Sticky Rubber and Plastic Surfaces For Big Results
Once I was done, my old hair dryer was like new again. It felt soft, clean, and best of all, not sticky! And it was shiny and ready to go again without creating sticky pine sap-like coated fingers.
Why Did I Clean The Sticky Hairdryer?
Now, you might be thinking, “Why not just buy a new one?”
First of all, I cleaned that sticky shit off my plastic and rubber surfaces as a challenge because I was going to win this battle and I did!
Here are a few other reasons I cleaned that sticky shit off my dryer
- Saves Money: Everything’s expensive these days. Why buy when you can DIY?
- Environmentally Friendly: Less waste, more reuse.
- Satisfaction: There’s a unique joy in bringing something back to life.
A Sticky Shit Situation, Solved!
Next time you encounter that sticky, tacky mess, don’t despair. You’ve got the tools and knowledge to tackle it head-on. Happy cleaning, and remember, you’ve got this!
Now you know how I cleaned that sticky shit off my rubber and plastic surfaces Sticky rubber and plastic surfaces on your appliances aren’t a death sentence.
With a bit of rubbing alcohol, a microfiber cloth, and some elbow grease, you can clean them right up. No need to throw away your favorite hair dryer or mouse just because it’s gotten a bit sticky.
Save money, reduce waste, and feel like a DIY superhero – all at the same time!~Dana XO
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