Plate stuck to shelf!!

nnb

I've had a crazy bad back lately, so please excuse me sounding lazy with dishes!

Sticky cough medicine leaked over a shelf in Jan. I cleaned it up and kept a pile of 8 plates there since, no issue.

Shelf has been emptied and re-stacked numerous times. There was one side plate left tonight but was stuck beyond belief!!!!! No idea how one tiny side plate got stuck but 8 in there was fine for months!

Anyone know how to remove it without breaking it or damaging the shelf?!?!?! I'm terrified of using too much force and damaging either or both!! I rent so the shelf is even more important.

And how can I fully clean the shelf once safely removed??

I'm usually very clean so a bit mortified right now. Please don't judge me, haha!

couriervanman

soapy water

comeandgo

Can you get a hairdryer under the shelf to warm the cough mixture?

nnb

couriervanman said:

soapy water

Hasn't worked

nnb

comeandgo said:

Can you get a hairdryer under the shelf to warm the cough mixture?

I didn't think of this. Might be something for the morning though so I don't annoy my neighbour! Thanks for the idea!

Apodemus

WD40.....?

RobM99

Not WD 40., it's oil based, cough mixture is water based. It'd just be a load of oily mess.

TELLIT01

I would try the hairdryer  directly onto the stuck plate but start with a low heat setting.  It shouldn't need too much heat to soften the gunk and allow the plate to be pulled off.

shaun_from_Africa

Find a saucepan that fits nicely onto the plate so there is plenty of contact between the plate and pan. Fill the saucepan with very hot water and place it on the plate and leave it there for a while to allow the heat to transfer. This may soften up the cough mixture and instead of just trying to lift the plate, rotate it very slightly from side to side.

oystercatcher

If the heat treatments don't work I would leave soapy water to soak in around the plate , just a drizzle and see if that loosens it. I wonder if the plate was put back damp and that was why it stuck?

GDB2222

Is this a laminate shelf in a kitchen cupboard? Can you remove the whole shelf with the plate attached?  I’d have .thought warm water would do the job eventually. Heat might damage the shelf.