When you have a sticky mess left behind by a sticker, tree sap, super glue, or some other adhesive, removing it can be a frustrating process. There are plenty of products out there to help you, such as Goo Gone and acetone-based removers, but how do you know which to pick?
Choosing between Goo Gone vs acetone comes down to what you need cleaned, and how tough the mess is. Goo Gone is an effective remover, but acetone is far more powerful and can tackle the toughest of messes.
Are you wondering what the difference is between Goo Gone and Acetone? Keep reading because our detailed comparison guide will answer all your questions about these removers.
What is Goo Gone?
Goo Gone is a brand of cleaning products that focuses on eliminating sticky, grease messes from any area of your home. You can use their products on fabric furniture around your home, fiberglass countertops, stovetops, grills, and more. Their cleaners will remove any sticky, gummy, or grease spots and remove stains as well.
This company believes in sustainability and works to manufacture its products as eco-consciously as possible. They have a wide variety of products that target specific areas of your home and messes to ensure that you get the right cleaner for the job every time.
What are Some Goo Gone Cleaners?
Goo Gone has a ton of cleaning products available for their customers. Here’s a quick list of some of their most popular products:
Goo Gone Adhesive Remover 
This is Goo Gone’s original cleaner, designed to eliminate sticky, gooey, and greases messes from the surfaces in your home. It’s safe to use on most materials and is guaranteed to restore your furniture to its previous clean and shiny state.
Goo Gone Pro-Power
The Goo Gone Pro-Power cleaner has an enhanced formula for extra tough messes. This product works to remove tape and other adhesive residues, tree sap, wet paint, glue, grease and grime, soot, tar, wax, and oil. You can use this on fabrics, hardwood, carpets, and more!
Read Related: Goo Gone Original vs Goo Gone Pro-Power | What’s Better?
Goo Gone Kitchen Degreaser
Kitchens tend to become one of the greasiest areas of the home, and Goo Gone’s Kitchen Degreaser is the perfect product for tackling tough messes. It’s safe to use on all your kitchen surfaces and will eliminate grease and oil, even when it’s baked or burned onto a surface.
Goo Gone Automotive
This product is perfect for getting all the messes that build up on your car from daily use. Goo Gone Automotive cleaner can remove tree sap, bumper sticker residue, bird droppings, oil, grease, and more! You can use this product to clean the inside and outside of your vehicle.
These are just some of Goo Gone’s most popular products, but they have several more designed to tackle specific messes and surfaces. This company is dedicated to helping its customers lead sticky-free lives, no matter where the mess has occurred.
What is Acetone?
Acetone is a powerful chemical that works as a solvent, meaning that it can break down or dissolve other materials. It’s a colorless chemical that has a very pungent odor. Acetone is very dangerous in its unaltered form because it’s highly volatile and flammable.
What are Some Acetone Based Removers and Cleaners?
There are many removers and cleaners that contain acetone, but some of the most popular is Goof Off cleaners. Here are a couple of their most popular products:
Goof Off Professional Strength Remover
This remover works on tough residue left behind by caulk, latex paint, asphalt, and tar. It’s safe to use on most surfaces, including baseboards, metal, glass, wood, brick, concrete, fiberglass, and more.
Goof Off Super Glue Remover 
This remover is specifically formulated to destroy tough, dried-on adhesives like gorilla glue or epoxy adhesive. It’s perfect for DIY-ers who make the occasional mistake when working on their crafts.
What is Goof Off?
Goof off is a remover that can get rid of the tough stuff that other brands can’t. Some of their products, like the professional strength remover, do contain acetone, which is why it’s such a powerful product. However, similarly to Goo Gone, some Goof Off products don’t contain acetone and instead use other solvents.
Does Nail Polish Remover Contain Acetone?
Most nail polish removers do contain acetone because it’s so effective at removing dried-on paint. However, there are plenty of non-toxic options that use alternative solvents instead of acetone.
What’s the Main Difference Between Goo Gone and Acetone Removers?
The main difference between Goo Gone and acetone-based removers such as Goof Off is simply that one product contains acetone, while the other doesn’t. Both products are effective at removing residue left behind my adhesive and other sticky messes, but the acetone-based removers are more powerful.
Something to keep in mind is that the acetone-based removers, while more effective, are also more dangerous. These removers will be more flammable and have a stronger odor. Exposure to toxic chemicals in acetone-based removers can be dangerous for certain people such as pregnant women and those with immune system deficiencies.
When Should You Use Acetone?
The only time you should use an acetone-based remover is when the alternatives have failed. This is a very strong chemical that will get the job done, but it does come with certain risks. Acetone-based removers will work best for tough messes that other removers aren’t strong enough to clean away.
When Should You Use Goo Gone?
When you have a sticky mess that needs removing, you should definitely try Goo Gone. It’s an effective remover that’s free of harsh chemicals like acetone, so this product should be the first product you try. Goo Gone is effective at removing left behind residues from adhesives, and it’s safe to use on most fabrics and surfaces.
Are Acetone Removers More Expensive Than Goo Gone Products?
The prices for acetone removers and Goo Gone products are pretty comparable. Goo Gone is technically cheaper than most acetone removers, but the difference is very slight. Both products are pretty affordable, but you’ll spend slightly less on Goo Gone’s products.
Related Questions
Is Acetone More Toxic than Goo Gone?
Acetone is more toxic than Goo Gone. While Goo Gone’s products do contain strong chemical ingredients that act as a solvent, they’re not quite as dangerous as acetone. If you’re particularly sensitive to chemicals, then you’re better off going with Goo Gone’s products.
Is Acetone More Flammable than Goo Gone?
Acetone is a highly volatile compound, and its flammability is well known. Goo Gone’s products aren’t actually considered flammable, although they are combustible. This means that if Goo Gone’s products were exposed to open fire, then the container would likely explode. Acetone is incredibly flammable and definitely more so than Goo Gone.
Can Goo Gone Remove Paint?
Goo Gone’s original products won’t remove paint, so it’s safe to use on painted surfaces. However, Goo Gone does have other products, such as their Latex Paint Clean-Up Spray, that will remove paint.
Will Acetone Remove Paint?
Yes, acetone will remove paint. That’s why acetone is so commonly used in nail polish removers. It’s an effective solvent that will dissolve and remove paint from any surface. So, you shouldn’t use an acetone-based remover on a painted surface unless you’re prepared for the paint to come off as well.
The Verdict – Which Remover Should I Buy?
Both removers serve a purpose, so choosing between Goo Gone vs acetone-based removers depends on what you need removed. Goo Gone will work well for most things and is far safer to use in your kitchen due to its lack of flammability, but if you have a particularly stubborn mess, then an acetone-based remover is the way to go.
Jamie is the Founder of My Home Dwelling. He is a homeowner and enjoys sharing his homeowner tips with others. He has real estate experience working as a new home construction Realtor. Jamie has worked on numerous residential construction sites helping with interior and exterior renovations. He loves refinishing furniture, DIY home projects, and sharing his knowledge online.