Removing sticky stuff with peanut butter

I didn't believe it either, until I tried it myself! And it works! Now I can't believe I DIDN'T believe!

Things You’ll Need:

• Sticky stuff to remove
• Peanut butter
• Soap and water
• Open mind!

Get stuck with something sticky:
I had to make some repairs to a small clothesline setup I built on our back screen-porch; the plywood brackets I made for supporting it were showing signs of separation of the plies. I decided to use a very strong urethane glue I had on hand to make the repairs. I discovered that the glue I had was maybe a little "old", since it was more of a "goop" than a liquid. It did not flow; I'd say maybe it "glopped". I had to use a screwdriver to get the goop where I wanted it, and in doing so I managed to get some of it on my hands.

Finish the job:
I did not stop to remove the goop from my hands right away, since urethane glue dries very slowly anyway; and I decided it would likely come off with mineral spirits pretty easily anyway.
I finished glopping the goop between the separated plies and even coated the whole section of the bracket with it so it would be even stronger than the original -- I hope! I clamped it all together and started putting things away. Meanwhile, my hands are getting stickier and stickier from handling the gooped up screwdriver and putting the cap back onto the goop; er, glue bottle.

Clean up:
I hurried to the sink and found the mineral spirits underneath where I knew it should be. I put some on a paper towel to carefully wipe off this now annoying stickiness on my hands. My fingers stuck together, and if I made a fist, It ALL stuck together!
The mineral spirits did not touch it! After rinsing off with warm, soapy water, I was wracking my brain trying to think what else I could use. Maybe lighter fluid? I had some in the garage, so I thought I'd try that. Then my wife came along. Nice how she manages to come along just when I need her most; she's good that way!

The magic!
After I moaned about my sticky situation, my wife paused for a minute, then said "You might laugh at this, but I've read that peanut butter works on sticky stuff!" I did laugh! Actually, I had heard the same thing myself; mostly about removing stubborn, sticky labels from things though, so I never would have thunk of it for THIS!

Dare I try?
Hmmm; "Will that work for THIS kind of sticky situation?" I doubted aloud. "It is supposed to help remove sticky stuff, that's what I've read", she replied. "And, I know it works for removing pine pitch, because I used it myself for that before", she confidently added.

Why not?
"OK, I'll try anything!", I said. She spooned a small lump of natural peanut butter on my hand. "Rub that in thoroughly, then wash with soap and water", she instructed. I did that. The peanut butter sort of soaked into my skin; or at least the oils, and just kind of dried up in my hands.
When I washed my hands under warm, soapy water, I could immediately tell that at least most of the stickiness was gone! "Can it really be?!", I exclaimed. "If this works, I am going to have to write an article about it", I added, figuring it would be good information for others to know about.

The conclusion:
Well, I must say I really should have known better than to doubt the power of peanut butter. I have been an avid...no, an obsessed peanut butter lover all my life, and to think I selfishly ignored just what such a true friend can really do for me! Never again will I doubt anything anyone tells me about peanut butter's (good) powers!

Tips & Warnings

• No finger licking during this practice! The peanut butter might be contaminated with the sticky stuff!
• Repeat attempts might be necessary, depending on just how sticky your situation is.
• Side effects might include an urge to whip up a tasty PBJ sandwich after you get done!