Gum on the shoe can be such a bummer.

No, not you — your stuff. These tricks unstick it all, from gluey labels to gum on your shoe.

By Christina Peterson


What’s stuck?
Old bathtub decals
Unstick trick:Nonslip tub appliqués are good for preventing falls. The problem is, once they get cruddy or their cuteness wears off, their adhesive hangs on. Use distilled white vinegar to get a grip on those suckers without harming your tub. Just warm 1/2 cup of it in your microwave for 15 seconds. Soak a cloth in it, and place it over the decal for 10 minutes to let the acid penetrate and loosen the glue. The decal should peel right off.


What’s stuck?
Gum on the sole of a favorite pair of shoes
Unstick trick: You may have heard that peanut butter helps (rub it on, and the oil detaches the chewy goo). Here’s a less messy tip: Wrap your shoe loosely in plastic, and put it in the freezer. Once the gum is frozen solid (about a half hour), scrape it off with a dull knife. Any bits still in treads should come out with a zap of cooking spray.


What’s stuck?
A label, sticker, or price tag on glass (e.g., a jar or photo-frame pane)
Unstick trick: After a 15-minute soak in warm water and dish soap, the label’s papery part will come off with zero effort. For that tacky leftover glue, spritz on WD-40 to dissolve the stickum almost instantly. Just spray, let sit for a moment, and wipe off. Or for smaller jobs, try WD-40’s No-Mess Pen ($3), which dispenses the oil through a felted tip. (GooGone has a new Mess-Free Pen as well; $4). Wash with mild soap and water.


What’s stuck?
Sap, tar, or bug guts on the outside of your car
Unstick trick: All sorts of gunk can mar your vehicle between washes. For virtually any gross glob, try some odorless mineral spirits (available at hardware stores). Apply some to a soft microfiber cloth (neither should harm the paint), and wipe the spots. Once they’re gone, wash with a mild detergent and water, and rinse. Buff the treated area with wax to protect and restore the shine. Also effective: Turtle Wax’s bug and tar removers, which you can find at major auto-parts stores.


What’s stuck?
Food and crust on your supposedly nonstick cookware
Unstick trick: Over time, cooking and oils can leave gummy deposits on nonstick coatings even after washing. When you use the pans, more food clings to the residue, and they become a total mess. Scouring can damage the coating, so save your energy and use Dawn Power Dissolver ($2.50). Spray onto the cookware, and let it sit for up to 30 minutes. If the film doesn’t rinse off easily, a soft nylon scrubber should finish the job; wash as usual.