Confession: I’m Type A — But My House Isn’t Perfect

Raise your hand if you think I’m a little bit obsessed with order.

Okay, I probably am — definitely the type A sort. But there’s a misconception that my home is always immaculate, that faucets sparkle, counters are wiped, and there are never toothpaste splatters on mirrors. Not true. We tried to show the real-life side of things in a video we made once, where we left clothes on the floor and mail in a pile, just like everyone else. The reaction was relief and laughter: most people loved seeing that our home isn’t staged perfection either.

We’re human. Truly. My sticky little secret proves it: a lamp I bought years ago still carries a gooey rectangle where a clearance price tag used to sit. That lamp came from Linens N Things back in the day, and I’ve owned it for over four years — more than 1,460 days — during which I never scrubbed that spot off. The sticky residue has become practically part of its character.

There’s another example in the kitchen: a ceramic container from Target that holds our serving and cooking utensils. For at least two years it’s sported some adhesive goo on the back. My solution was simple and low-tech: I turn the container so the sticky side faces the wall and carry on. Rotating items so the less attractive sides are out of sight is a common small-spot fix in my home — pragmatic, not pristine.

Outing myself here makes me want to fix these sticky situations, partly because my mom still reads the blog sometimes (hi, Mom!). Armed with a little soap — I prefer Dr. Bronner’s in almond scent — and warm water, I decided to give the lamp and the utensil holder a gentle scrub. Removing old adhesive can be surprisingly satisfying, though I admit I worried the goo might have set in too long and become stubborn.

If you’ve ever wrestled with sticker or clearance tag residue, you know the options range from simple soap and water to specialized adhesive removers. I like to start with a gentle approach: warm water, a dab of dish soap or castile soap, and a soft cloth. Work gradually in circular motions and rinse frequently. For older, more tenacious residue, repeating this routine a few times can help loosen the bond. If that doesn’t do the trick, a tiny bit of rubbing alcohol on a cotton ball or a soft-bristled brush can be effective, but I try to avoid harsh chemicals on painted or delicate surfaces.

Cleaning in this way is part practical maintenance and part small ritual — an opportunity to slow down, attend to the details, and take a break from the busyness of the day. While it may feel embarrassing to admit that items in my house carry blemishes or sticky patches, it’s also freeing to acknowledge that a lived-in home doesn’t have to be flawless. There’s a balance between caring for your space and accepting the little imperfections that come with real life.

Beyond adhesive removal, there are other low-effort home habits I rely on: rotate display items when blemishes appear, keep a small drawer of basic cleaning supplies handy, and set aside ten to fifteen minutes now and then for quick touch-ups. These small steps prevent minor issues from becoming bigger eyesores and keep the home feeling comfortable rather than staged.

So this afternoon, between console bidding and drafting a post, I’m tackling these sticky spots. I plan to take it slow, use gentle soap, and enjoy the tiny victory when the residue finally comes off. And if it doesn’t disappear completely? I’ll rotate the item toward the wall and consider it part of the home’s history.

Does anyone else do the “rotate the flaw to the wall” trick? Or do you have go-to methods for removing stubborn sticker residue? I’d love to hear your best household hacks — it’s always nice to know I’m not the only one who makes minor compromises to keep life feeling real.