I'm not exactly sure what happened (I assume I ate something sticky with bare hands), but one hood is annoyingly sticky. It seems to be embedded

I've tried soap and water, and an all purpose spray cleaner, but it hasn't worked.

Will denatured alcohol or degreaser make the rubber sag?

I don't like wearing gloves when it's mild or warm: anything over about 60

Talcum powder will stick to it, then wipe it off with a wet cloth.

Usually when rubber starts to get stick, scrubbing usually makes it worse. Since it's sticky because you are breaking down the top layer of vulcanized rubber or latex. Pretty much the only fix that i've found that works is rubbing it with a fine powder and wiping it with a wet cloth afterwards so you hands don't get chalky, and you're golden for a long while after.

baby powder

Baby Wipes. These will wipe anything off.

I had this problem and tried everything. My hoods were old though, and started to break down. I just bought new hoods for 20 bucks , problem solved.

Tom

Wd40 - works on gum splatters, probably would work for your hoods. Rubbing alcohol would be worth a shot too.

Gee, I appreciate the quick replies.
I'll try the baby powder thing

any form of citrus degreaser should do the trick. I've yet to have an issue. It's not like you're leaving it on for hours, just spritz and rub.

New Shimano hoods aren't too expensive, and last a long time(if none of these ideas work).

+1 and flush the innards while you are at it.

I would say if soapy water doesn't work then +1 the rubber in the hoods is breaking down, easier to replace them

It's probably worth mentioning that the reason that it's breaking down is your preference for riding without gloves. When your bare sweaty hands are tugging away at the rubber hoods, it's much harder on the rubber than if you were doing the same with gloves on. My advice is that if you have to replace the hoods afterall, find some cool/comfortable cycling gloves that you won't mind wearing and try to make it a habit. If you insist on not wearing gloves, expect the condition to repeat itself in due time.

-Jeremy

I use all purpose pledge; works well for me.

I have an old pair of Campy hoods that this happened to about a year and a half ago. I wrapped the bar tape around the hood one wrap to cover most of the hood where I put my hand and I usually wear gloves. I have not thought about sticky hoods since...

+1. It's not stickiness on the hoods, the hood material itself has broken down and has become sticky. There's no cleaning it off.

Thanks. The baby powder work at treat. In fact, I might put it all my hoods.

glad it work out.