Yesterday I decided to do something about our dish situation. We had plastic plates, bowls and cups that we have used for several years and were starting to show their age. We used them most of the time because they were easier for the kids to wash, and didn't break. I have several sets of heavy glass plates, but they are so thick and heavy they are hard to deal with.

So I went on a "Quest for Dishes"!! At Wal-mart I looked around, but most of the sets were ugly, and still heavy. Then I remembered the outdoor section. There I found the perfect dishes for us. They are the metal blue spackled plates, mugs and bowls. You know the old-fashioned porcelain kind. I bought 20 plates (we get a lot of company) 12 bowls and 12 mugs (that is all they had.)

They sell these individually and every piece has a lovely (NOT!) sticky label right in the middle of it. I have had them soaking in water in my Laundry sinks for 24 hours now, and they still don't want to come off. Help!!! I did clean out my cupboards and ridded out several boxes of stuff I don't need. These new dishes will be great, they won't break, and they match my house! I can't wait to use them...

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 27, 2002

Answers

Have you tried peanut butter?

-- mary (marylgarcia@aol.com), February 27, 2002.

Oil or rubbing alcohol might work as well.

-- GT (nospam@nospam.com), February 27, 2002.

There is a household cleaner named Greased Lightening that works on everything else that is sticky.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), February 27, 2002.

Get a product called "Goo Gone" works ever time.

Talk to you later.

-- Bob in WI (bjwick@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

Try fingernail polish remover, Hope this helps!

-- Terran in VT (homefire@sover.net), February 27, 2002.

goo paint remover will get rid of them. Hot water will make them plyable to be removed.

-- Gary in Ohio (gws@columbus.rr.com), February 27, 2002.

I have always had sucess using lamp oil!

-- Jo in PA (farmerjo02@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

Most any kind of oil will soften the glue and it will come off. Once, I sprayed Pam on a sticker and it soaked right off.

-- Ardie/WI (ardie54965@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

wd-40 works pretty good. Let the wd-40 soak for a while. You can also scrub that enamelware pretty hard with a 3m green pad without hurting them. I wish they'd quit using those hard to remove stickers.

I use the same dishes for camping. Good stuff but they do chip along the rims pretty easy.

-- Dave (multiplierx9@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

Try baking soda mixed into a paste with water.

-- Sherry (tlnifty@ecenet.com), February 27, 2002.

Whal, Miss Missy, yew better be careful when ya use those tin plates and cups...especially the youngin's should. Ya see, Cookie has tin plates and cups hyer in his chuckwagon. Ah dern near burn my hands and fingers everytime Cookie plops a laddle of his gut-rot chili on my plate. Thet plate gits scouldin' hot in about two shakes! ANd ah mek sure ah'm wearin' leather gloves each time ah pour me a tin cup full of his back-as-tar campfahr coffee. Those dern tin cups and plates get as hot as whatever thar holdin'! So whatch it Missy when yew fill your plate and cup at the campfahr! --Happy trails, CAbin Fever

-- Cabin Fever (cabinfever_mn@yahoo.com), February 27, 2002.

skin so soft is supposed to be the best thing, I think it's by Avon, by friends swears by it. Alsot lighter fluid works

-- Cindy (SE. IN) (atilrthehony@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

Yes, graniteware does heat up fast. Besure to use placemats under the plates. Hot food plopped on a enamel plate will damage the finish of the tabel under it.

It chips quite easily also.

-- Laura (Ladybugwrangler@hotmail.com), February 27, 2002.

Thanks everyone, I have been scrubbing away at them with a scratcher and have it off of most of them.

Probably won't use the cups for coffee, can't abide the stuff! Will use them for milk and tea and such. Our tabletops are slate, so the heat won't be a problem. I can set a pan that has been in a 400 degree oven on it and it doesn't hurt a thing.

Just for fun, I beat one against the concrete floor, and it didn't chip! (I'm kind of bored here today!) So I am not too worried about using them. I do know the kids won't drop them and have them shatter into a million pieces, so that will be a benefit for sure!!

Thanks for all of the advice, there are a few stubborn ones left and I am going to try the cooking oil on them. My hands are sore from scrubbing.

-- Melissa in SE Ohio (me@home.net), February 27, 2002.

WD-40 is good for most things like this. If you really want to get aggressive, use starting fluid but make sure you get it off promptly. We use that to 'de-letter' trucks that have had adhesive lettering on their doors in all kinds of weather for years. It works great! I hope this helps.

-- Gary in Indiana (gk6854@aol.com), February 27, 2002.