If you are looking for a stain remover or adhesive remover that’s capable of cleaning some of the toughest stains like oily residue, grease, crayon marks on walls, and even the sticky messes left by stickers or tape, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we’ll take a look at how to use Goo Gone for stains and extra gooey messes.
Goo Gone is a must-have stain remover for any household. It works well in most situations and is easy to find at your local grocery store.
It has a lot of different uses, including removing grease from pots and pans, getting rid of the sticky residue left by glue, removing ink from clothing, getting rid of makeup stains, candle wax stains and more. If you have any stubborn stains on your carpet, furniture, upholstery, or anything else, this is probably the best way to remove them.
If you’re curious about this cleaning wonder, keep reading to see how you can use Goo Gone for cleaning and stain removal.

What Types of Stains Can Be Cleaned With Goo Gone
Goo Gone is a very versatile cleaning agent that is not only limited to stain and adhesive removal. As a mom, it’s essential that I always have a bottle in the cupboard, because I am always dealing with crayon marks where I don’t want them, wax stains, because “oh mom this is such fun”, and hot glue residue because my son is always working on something that hot glue is needed for!
Here’s a list of items that you can clean with Goo Gone:
- Chewing Gum
- Glues and Adhesives
- Tape
- Wax
- Wallpaper
- Hot Glue Residue
- Bug Smashes and Bird Poo
- Grill Grates
- Makeup
- Road Tar
- Manufacturers Labels
- Dryer Cleaning
- Crayon, Markers, Ink, and Craft Paints
- Food Grease
- Silly Putty

How to Use Goo Gone for Stains
Now that we know what we’re dealing with, let’s talk about how to use Goo Gone.
Step 1: Apply Goo Gone to the Stain
If you’re working on a large area of carpet, wall, or any other surface that is compatible with Goo Gone, apply the product directly to the stain. You can also rub the product onto the affected surface with a damp cloth or a sponge.
If you’re working on a smaller area, apply a small amount of Goo Gone to a paper towel or clean cloth. Then take the wet paper towel and dab the spot to remove the stain.
Step 2: Wait About 10 Minutes
After applying the Goo Gone, let it sit for about 10 minutes and allow it to work its magic before rinsing off the solution. If 10 minutes is not enough to remove all the residue you can wait another few minutes before you rinse it off.
Step 3: Rinse the Area
After waiting 10 minutes, rinse the area thoroughly with hot water. Don’t forget to scrub the edges of the stain!
Step 4: Dry the Spot
Once the area is completely dry, vacuum the spot to remove any remaining moisture.
Step 5: Wash Your Hands
The harsh chemical used in Goo Gone can irritate your eyes and skin. So, remember to wash your hands thoroughly after handling Goo Gone.
That’s it!

How to Use Goo Gone on Clothes
If you are looking to get adhesive off any fabric, Goo Gone is the way to go. It works great in removing stickers from fabric, without creating a big mess. You can also use it to remove oil and grease stains or any other type of stubborn stains from clothes.
It’s very easy to remove adhesive or stains from fabric with Goo Gone. All you need to do is follow these steps:
Step 1: Apply Goo Gone
Dab a clean, dry cloth with a generous amount of Goo Gone goo.
Step 2: Wipe the Area
To remove the stain, wipe the affected area and leave for a few minutes.
Step 3: Rinse
Rinse the Goo Gone off with soap and warm water.
Step 4: Wash the Fabric
Wash your clothing item according to the care label; just add a little extra detergent.
Step 5: Remove Left-Over Adhesive
After completing steps one to four, if there is still a bit of adhesive left on the fabric, you can try to use a butter knife (most bottles come with a scraper, this works great), to scrape the material.
It is important to take note that, even though Goo Gone goo can truly work miracles, it, unfortunately, can leave an oily residue of its own.
However, this is no cause for panic. The stain left by Goo Gone is just a simple grease stain. You can easily remove the stain with regular dish soap, rubbing alcohol, or laundry detergent.

What Is Goo Gone?
Goo Gone is a powerful cleaning product that works by breaking down the oils and fats found in stains so they can be easily removed from surfaces. As soon as the cleaner touches the stain, it begins breaking down the oil and fat particles that make up the stain.
As the Goo Gone continues to work, the stain will begin to dissolve and turn clear. Once the stain is completely gone, you can simply rinse off the cleaner using warm water.
It’s safe to use on most surfaces, including wood, fabric, some plastics, glass, tiles, and more. Goo Gone comes in a bottle and in spray gel form. This allows you to use the product according to your needs.
It is formulated with citrus cleaning agents, which adds a pleasant citrus scent. The smell dissipates quickly once the cleaner gets into contact with the surface being cleaned. The enzymes in the natural citrus concentrate target stains, like price tags on glass, by penetrating its grease and lifting the gunk off the surface.
Goo Gone comes in different formulas. For example, the regular Goo Gone is suitable for general household cleaning. Whereas the Goo Gone Pro Power has a higher concentration of citrus oil terpenes and is, therefore, better suited for tough jobs. Both formulas work great for removing grease, oil, grime, and other sticky messes and can be found at your local grocery store.
For the best results, always follow the product guidelines. Test any surface you are unsure of in an uncontentious area and then check the results before moving on to the larger stain.
Goo Gone Can Be Used on These Surfaces
Goo Gone works well on almost any surface. If you’re wondering whether you are able to use Goo Gone on the item that you’d like to clean, here’s a list of surfaces that you can apply Goo Gone on:
- carpet & upholstery
- clothing
- glass
- laminate
- metal
- wood
- plastic
- vinyl
- windows
- ceramic
- granite
- flooring
- countertops
- tile
- wood
If you want to remove a stain on another surface that’s not mentioned in this list and you are not quite sure if it’s compatible with Goo Gone, just head on over to their website. They have a large list of all the materials that Goo Gone works well on, and you’ll be sure to find the answers you are looking for there.
Goo Gone Mistakes
While you can use Goo Gone to clean some sticky stains, it’s important to take note of the following don’ts. There’s nothing worse than trying to clean a stain, only to find out that you’ve caused an even bigger irreparable one.
So, before you try to clean a tough stain, make sure to do the following things first:
1. Do Spot Testing
Before attempting to remove any type of greasy, slimy, or sticky stain, it’s always a good idea to do a test run on a small inconspicuous area. You can do this by applying Goo Gone to a small section of the spot and then wait to see how the product interacts with the stain.
This will help you determine if the stain is actually removable or not. If the stain appears to be removable, then you can tackle the entire problem area without having to worry about permanently damaging the item that you are trying to clean.
However, if the stain doesn’t appear to be removable, then it’s best to leave it alone or do a test run with another product.
2. Appropriate Ventilation
Despite the safety claims made by Goo Gone’s manufacturers, it can be dangerous to inhale. So before you use the product, make sure to have enough ventilation by opening windows and doors and turning on air vents.
3. Remove Clothing Before Stain Removal
If you happen to get a greasy stain on your clothing, don’t apply Goo Gone while you are wearing it. Take off the affected clothing piece, treat the stained area, and then wash it separately with some extra detergent.
4. Goo Gone Hazards
Goo Gone can aggravate asthma, irritate the skin, and cause lifelong lung damage if consumed. It is therefore important to keep it out of children and pets.
As with any harsh chemicals, it is always important to read through the Material Safety Data Sheet and familiarize yourself with the cautions listed by the manufacturers. It might be a good idea to wear protective gear like safety goggles and rubber gloves.
It’s also important to remember that it is never a good idea to mix any household cleaning products. This is because the products can react with each other, which can lead to some harmful fumes.
Also, take note that if you spill Goo Gone, it’s best to gently blot it up with a paper towel and throw it away rather than soaking it up with a sponge and rinsing it down the sink since Goo Gone is bad for waterways.
5. Store Properly
As with any cleaning product, store Goo Gone in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Also, make sure that the container is properly sealed and stored in a well-ventilated area that is out of reach of children and pets.
Also, take note that it is always important to store harsh chemicals in their original container.

Don’t Use Goo Gone on These Materials
While Goo Gone can be a fantastic cleaning product for a number of stains, it’s not suitable for all surface types. The surfaces that are not compatible with Goo Gone include:
- Paper
- Suede
- Leather
- Rubber
- Silk
- Unfinished wood
- Faux stainless steel
- Unsealed stone
- Unpainted sheetrock
Getting Ready to Use Goo Gone
If you want to remove any stain with Goo Gone, you’ll want to prepare by doing the following:
1. Ventilate the Area
The fumes of Goo Gone can be harmful to humans. Ensure that you work in a well-ventilated room to prevent headaches or other side effects from occurring.
2. Wear Old Clothing
When cleaning any type of tough stain, it’s always advised to wear old clothing to prevent possibly ruining or damaging any of your favorite or even new clothing items.
3. Make Sure to Spot Test
This is a very important step. Remember to always do a spot test before attempting to clean the entire stain. This will give you an idea of the results that you can expect without potentially ruining any of your household or clothing items.
4. Be Aware of Hazards
Always familiarize yourself with the product safety sheet and the guidelines given for any household cleaning agent before you use it.

Conclusion
Goo Gone is a very versatile adhesive remover that you can apply to a wide variety of surfaces. Many moms are firm believers in the product and swear by its cleaning power.
So, next time you try cleaning grimy, slimy, greasy, or sticky stains, try using Goo Gone. Who knows, it might just be the answer you were looking for. Just be sure to check if it is compatible with the surface you are trying to clean, and take note of the do’s and don’ts when using Goo Gone.
If you’ve found this article helpful, don’t forget to share it with your friends.
Happy cleaning!
Other Cleaning Articles You May Like:
- How to Remove Curry Stains
- How to Get Sweat Stains Out Of A Hat
- How To Remove Lip Gloss From Clothing
- How to get your kitchen tiles sparkling clean
- Best way to get rid of bed bugs in carpet
- Fire extinguisher residue clean up
- Five minute cleaning tasks you should add to your cleaning routine
- Best way to remove stains from hardwood floors
- How to get laundry detergent stains out of clothes

Grainne Foley
Grainne Foley is a wife and mother of 2 great kids. During her 5 years of full time RV travel, Grainne learned to become very efficient at household chores, in order to make time for family adventures. Now, back in a house, she has continued to create tools and techniques to help others lighten the load of household organization and cleaning.
Leave a Reply