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Museums and galleries have a secret for keeping precious items stable against earthquakes and handsy onlookers: A “brilliant” glue-like putty called Museum Gel.
Following its high brow origins, the clear adhesive has since gone viral on TikTok because of how incredibly handy it is for daily use. The “miracle goo” keeps fragile items put on flat surfaces without leaving a stain — and without adhering so firmly that you can’t move your piece later. In other words, museum gel is secure, but not permanent.
The result is a cheap, best-kept-secret way to child-proof and pet-proof your shelves and windowsills (and adult-proof, depending on how clumsy you or your grown-up family members are!). Your vases, heirlooms and lamps are now safe from mischievous paws, curious kids and gesticulating adults. “I will forever keep this in my bag of tricks,” as one reviewer succinctly puts it.
Museum gel is an especially solid investment for the holidays, when your home tends to have more seasonal decor set up, from table decorations to floor arrangements — amid evermore circulating guests. Reviewers relied on the goo to protect holiday candles, ceramic figures, elaborate ceramic nativity scenes and even crystal Christmas trees from youngsters, pets and general accidents.
“Grandparents, this is for you!” writes one reviewer. “Our two youngest grandkids are at that ‘touch it all’ phase … This makes ‘touching’ a non-issue. Adhesion is great. Clean up is a bit of a pain but it’s so worth it. Absolutely no issues with the low shelved Christmas decorations.”
Folks also take advantage of the gluey putty to stay tidy: The transparent gel is great at keeping organizing bins stable, so your organizers won’t jostle around whenever you open your junk drawer or your pet knocks into your shelves.
Just remember that the gel is meant for use on flat surfaces (not for vertically hanging items), and adheres best to polished materials like wood, glass, crystal, metal and aluminum.
Amazon reviewers note that in order for the gel’s infamous hold to kick in, it needs a few hours to set: “It might seem like it’s not working at first,” wrote one reviewer, “but after it sets it holds great and removes no problem no stain!”
Check out these gushing Amazon reviews from folks who’ve bought Museum Gel and loved it:
“Think of this product like a clear version of your ol’ Teacher’s Sticky Tac. Remember that blue stuff from the 80′s? Well, they modernized it & it is Fabulous!!! I secured all of the drawers in my kitchen, my home office, my hubby’s home office & all 3 of my bathrooms!!! SO GLAD I BOUGHT THIS PRODUCT! I also love that is is not a permanent decision when you arrange your drawers. If your needs change, just remove & replace your item.” — prettymissjamie
“I have been using this product for years. Recommended by a friend who worked at the Phoebe Hearst Museum, we use it to mount vases, clocks, art objects like statues and model boats, even stand up picture frames. Our cats cannot dislodge any objects which we have secured with this product. We are in an earthquake zone, and keeps your valued items safe when mother earth gets the shakes. A+++ product.” — Al B.
“I got this because I inherited a lot of figurines and have two very active playfight loving dogs. This keeps everything on place even when they bang into the shelves. My mother’s porcelain is safe.” — Alina
“When our spicy baby cat needs attention RIGHT NOW – she employs her skills of destruction & mayhem by knocking anything & everything off every surface her lil paws can reach. Typical terror time is around 4:30 am to make sure she gets her 5am breakfast. So unnecessary – that’s where this museum gel proved itself to be a miracle product. She was distraught to realize she could no longer push my fragile vase & perfume bottles , my wife’s glasses holder, ANYTHING to make a commotion alarm. I think she was surprised when she still got her 5am breakfast without setting off her usual crashing banging breaking chain of events. Great product with dozens of uses to discover” — Lexie
“Love this stuff. My 2nd jar. My first was bought in 2006, so that is how far a container will go. When I display my glass or other breakables outside my curio, I use this. Came in very handy when I used to have cats. I am clumsy too, so it keeps me from inadvertently knocking something over.” — MarciaT