To tell you 'fun window clings' are the work of the very devil?

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

DD persuaded me (against my better judgement) to let her put up said 'fun window cling' on her bedroom window (those gel stained glass effect decorations that stick to the window pane). It was an owl, she likes owls, it matched her duvet cover.

When we came back from our holiday we discovered that the unusually hot summery weather had melted the thing and the owl's eyes had slid down to it's tummy. Taking the owl remains off the window resulted in a sticky, snottery owl-shaped smear, which I managed to ignore for a couple of weeks, but decided I had to tackle today.

I have now spent the best part of a morning, most of yesterday's Observer, and half a bottle of vinegar mixed with hot water in a spray bottle and all I seem to have achieved is a pile of soggy newspaper, fingers indelibly stained with newsprint, a bedroom that smells like a chip shop and a smear that has spread to cover most of the bottom third of the window.

Could I pass it off as some kind of window frosting effect, do you think?

[MrsTerryPratchett]

Vinegar and water? There are times you need the big guns. Nail polish remover would be my first try.

[WafflyVersatile]

I'd start with one of these.

www.angliatoolcentre.co.uk/stanley-sta028590-window-scraper-with-blade-pid32116.html?gclid=CP6Vz7mYm7kCFRMPtAodeQsAzA

[WafflyVersatile]

Maybe rub with flour/talc first/too?

[LifeIsBetterInFlipFlops]

Maybe White Spirit?

[Humuhumunukunukuapuaa]

Sticky stuff remover from Lakeland?

[maddening]

White spirit or nail varnish remover are the best suggestions imo

[MatildaMay]

I had this problem with some pirate gel window stickers, made an awful mess when I tried to clear them after they'd started 'melting'. I phoned the place I'd bought them from and was advised to try white spirit. It worked!

[LadyMaryQuiteContrary]

Go to Lakeland and get some sticky-stuff remover.

[itsonlyapapermoon]

Eucalyptus oil or wd-40 should do the trick

[daisychain01]

Can you try one of those blade thingies used for scrapping off the caked on food that has stuck to ceramic hobs? I think Robert Dyas sell them.

[TheGirlOnTheLanding]

Think you're all right, my mistake was trying the eco friendly approach. We are bound to have white spirit lurking in the loft, will try that (once my scrubbing arm has recovered a bit.)

[scarfaceace]

Window scraper definitely. Have you tried DW40?

[Numberlock]

Respect that you're an Observer reader.

[wornoutbutstillwonderful]

Antibacterial hand sanitiser worked for me with a window scraper

[Apileofballyhoo]

Lemon oil.

[Sizzlesthedog]

Don't let the DC's put them on the walls. Unspeakable mess.

[MoonlightandRoses]

Mayonnaise (to help with the 'eau du friterie' aroma). Seriously though you need to leave it on for about 20 minutes and then scrape off, but it does work.

[CakesAreNotTheAnswer]

bog standard sunflower oil will take it off quite easily then a quick swipe with a bit of washing up liquid to get rid of the oil

[SigmundFraude]

Could be worse, could have slid down onto your white wood windowsill and stained it red.

[somewheresomehow]

surgical spirit should do the job its good as a sticky stuff remover

[Birnamwood]

Wd40 is your friend. It's main ingredient is fish oil so its Eco friendly too :)

[culturemulcher]

I feel your pain. I've been there 3 years ago and still have the stains to show for it.

Warning! If your windowsills are pvc (the shame ) don't let any of the smeary stuff get on them as they stain. And the stain will stay FOR EVER

[culturemulcher]

Ah, Sigmund I see you've been there too...

[SigmundFraude]

Oh yes.....

[Oldraver]

Yes WD40 is a brilliant sticky stuff remover, but you have to use just a little... I oversprayed our little panes in the door after using cellotaping cards on...it took me age to get the WD40 off.