Toys, electronic gadgets, bicycle handles, umbrella handles… You may have noticed that the rubberized coating that covers them, although pleasant to the touch, can become sticky over time.
Why does rubber get sticky?
This happens for two reasons. First: the upholstery is dirty in some way. In this case, the recipe is simple: you need to understand what exactly it is, then wash (or gently wipe the item) with the most suitable product (for example, dishwashing liquid is perfect for oil, alcohol is perfect for the syrup).
But it’s not always that simple: sometimes rubber gets sticky because… well, because it’s rubber. To create it, vulcanization is necessary – during this process, under the influence of a reagent, rubber molecules are “stitched” into a single spatial network and transformed into durable and elastic rubber.
But nothing lasts forever: over time, rubber begins to return to its unvulcanized “sticky” state. It is no longer possible to save such a decaying layer, but there is still a way out: you can simply delete it so that a new one opens – the one that has not yet collapsed. And here’s how to do it.
What to do if rubber becomes sticky
Method number 1: alcohol or window cleaner
You probably already have a remedy for rubber stickiness in your cupboard or pantry. We are talking about medical alcohol; Window cleaner also works very well: it contains ammonia, which can remove the decaying part of the coating.
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- If you are cleaning electronic devices, turn them off (unplug them if necessary).
- Apply a little rubbing alcohol or window cleaner to a cotton pad or cloth.
- Wipe the sticky mass from the object – three surfaces until it disappears
- If you need to clean hard-to-reach places, use a toothbrush.
Method #2: melamine sponge
Melamine sponges can remove, if not everything, at least a lot, so we advise you to get them – it’s worth it!
- If you are cleaning an electronic device, turn it off and unplug it from the outlet.
- Dip the melamine sponge in the water, wring it out well – it should become almost dry.
- Rub the sponge over the surface until it completely removes all the sticky layer.
Method number 3: plastic card
Or a spoon. Or the dull side of a knife. Usually you need a scraper, but not too sharp, otherwise you will damage the coating.
- Soak a cotton pad in alcohol.
- Wipe the coating with it.
- Use a card or the edge of a spoon to scrape off the sticky layer.
Method number 4: water and soda
