The Cleaning Essential Jonathan Scott Says Can Take Stickers 'Right Off'

One of the most frustrating things about buying something like a ceramic vase or a new set of bowls and plates for the kitchen is getting home and then realizing that they're covered in those annoying, hard-to-remove price tags. You peel back a corner hoping for a clean lift, but instead you're left with a jagged paper mess and a layer of gray, sticky residue. It almost takes all the fun out of the shopping process (almost). Thankfully, HGTV's Jonathan Scott has a go-to solution for this exact situation: using a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser. While many household ingredients can remove stickers, this is his favorite.

This handy tool can take those labels right off without you having to resort to using oily solvents like Goo Gone or picking and scrubbing for hours at a time. There are other things you can use a Magic Eraser for. However, it makes short work of the sticker-removal process, which we love. The "magic" behind Magic Erasers isn't any sort of chemical cleaner that's hidden inside the sponge. Instead, it comes down to using the right abrasive material for the job. These scrubbers are made of melamine foam, which is a material that actually acts like super high-grit sandpaper on a microscopic level. When you wet this foam sponge, it becomes flexible enough to get into the tiny ridges of a surface and then removes the annoying adhesive instead of just smearing it around. It means you don't have to use much elbow grease. This method helps remove sticker residue quickly and leaves surfaces clean.

To get the most out of this Jonathan Scott-approved hack, there's a two-step process you'll need to follow (don't worry, it's easy). First, wet the sponge. Never use the eraser dry because it needs water to activate its cleaning texture. Then give it a firm squeeze so that it's damp but not sopping. Second, lightly scrub the sticker and any residue around it. You'll notice the adhesive start to ball up and disappear in seconds. Unlike common liquid adhesive removers that leave behind a filmy grease, the Magic Eraser will leave whatever surface you're working with smooth and clean. It's a super easy way to prep glass jars, ceramic plates, or even the plastic bins in your pantry without needing to give them a secondary wash to get rid of oily streams or funky chemical smells.

However, even this "magic" tool has some limits, as well as some concerning downsides. Because melamine foam is a micro-abrasive, acting as a fine sander, you should avoid using it on high-gloss finishes or polished wood, as it can dull the shine or even leave a permanent matte spot. It's also a no-go for stainless steel appliances or non-stick pans, where it might leave behind tiny scratches. When in doubt, always do a quick spot test on a less visible area to make sure it'll work fine. As a general rule of thumb, stick to glass, unpolished stone, and ceramics for the best results. Now that you've removed all those pesky stickers, you can spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying your lovely home. This small tool can be a useful addition to your cleaning supplies.