# What is it? Alien Tape and Pooph **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 1, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390 "2023-07-01T03:49:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jinx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Jinx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jinx)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 3:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/1 "2023-07-01T03:49:40Z")
We want to know how does Alien Tape work? What is it made of? And, the Pooph product. What is it made of that claims to be edible yet used to control industrial odors. (This assumes these products are what they claim to be.) ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/2 "2023-07-01T04:28:52Z")
If it is the same tape I am thinking of, it is “adhesiveless” tape that can attach to smooth, clean surfaces. It works via van der Waals forces produced by a large number of nanostructures in contact with the wall. I am not familiar with the other product. I guess you are not talking about just baking soda? ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 4:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/3 "2023-07-01T04:53:05Z")
Er, I mean it is glue-free adhesive tape. The tape itself sticks to the wall. ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 1:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/4 "2023-07-01T13:05:09Z")
Here’s the search on the pooph product. Lots of claims for removing pet odor.[Pooph product - Google Search](https://www.google.com/search?q=Pooph+product&rlz=1CATTSD_enUS774US774&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8) ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2023, 1:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/5 "2023-07-01T13:11:18Z")
This “alien tape” sounds like it’s basically a synthesized equivalent of a gecko’s foot. ---
**Author:** ![DPRK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/4491bb/32.png) [@DPRK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DPRK)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2023, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/6 "2023-07-02T03:28:47Z")
I originally heard of something called “gecko tape”, but at the time it was not yet being sold commercially. The general idea was that it was indeed inspired by gecko setae, ideally should be self-cleaning and washable/reusable. “Alien tape” could be a competing brand; Wikipedia also mentions yet another brand called “nano tape”, or it could be the same factory manufacturing them all and they are all the same thing, have not looked into it. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2023, 8:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/7 "2023-07-03T08:35:27Z")
I note that the Pooph product claims to be ‘dismantling odors on a molecular level’ - which has to be the most unremarkable claim for an air freshener product, simply because _they all say that_ - I can’t remember the last time I saw an air/fabric freshening product that didn’t claim to be ‘actually destroying bad smells, not just covering them up with fragrance’ ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2023, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/8 "2023-07-03T11:50:18Z")
I don’t know if this is the type of thing that “Alien tape” uses, but I observe that those sticky plastic “wall walkers” consists of a flexible plastic with a LOT of plasticizer in it, This page claims that you can make it with a styrene-ethylene-butylene triblock copolymer with plasticizing oils [http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=8085](http://answers.google.com/answers/threadview?id=8085) Whereas THIS jerk says you can do it with a vinyl polymer and plasticizer > **[US6480268B1 - Method for temporary suppression of reflection for optical...](https://patents.google.com/patent/US6480268B1/en?inventor=stephen%2Br.%2Bwilk&oq=stephen%2Br.%2Bwilk)** > > A process for measuring at least one parameter of an optical element having first and second surfaces on opposed sides thereof uses a reflection-reducing member, which is solid and has substantial mechanical integrity, but which is resilient... The alien tape I’ve held in my hands doesn’t feel as sticky as these “wall walker” ones, but mayber they’re not using as much plasticizer. (Plasticizers, by the way, are the components that add flexibility to the plastic [Plasticizer - Wikipedia](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasticizer#:~:text=A%20plasticizer%20(UK%3A%20plasticiser),during%20its%20handling%20in%20manufacture). ) ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2023, 12:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/9 "2023-07-03T12:27:16Z")
As for Pooph, if you go to their website they have this to say about their ingredients: > [@](#): > > Pooph™ is a proprietary blend of minerals all of which each can be found in your average daily multivitamin. There are NO harsh chemicals and it is approved non-toxic and meets GRAS Standards according to the US Code of Federal Registrar Section 21. > **[Frequently Asked Questions | Pooph™](https://www.pooph.com/FAQ.dtm)** This site claims to give morte definite results: > [@](#): > > The active ingredients in the Pooph Odor Eliminator include baking soda, citric acid, sodium bicarbonate, and tea tree oil. Baking soda works to neutralize odor molecules in the air while citric acid helps to break down odors on surfaces. Sodium bicarbonate acts as an absorbent which draws out odors from fabrics and carpets while also releasing a pleasant scent. Tea tree oil is used as an antibacterial agent that helps to prevent future odors from developing. > > … > > The active ingredient in Pooph is called Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil, which is derived from the eucalyptus tree. This natural oil has potent antibacterial and antifungal properties, making it an ideal choice for eliminating pet odors without harsh chemicals or hazardous fumes. > **[Pooph Reviews: Everything You Need To Know (MUST READ)](https://hearglow.com/blogs/news/pooph-reviews)** > > It is not uncommon for seniors living in their own home to have pet odors. Whether it's from cats or dogs, pet odors can be difficult to deal with at any age. However, Pooph Pet Odor Remover makes it easy for seniors to quickly and effectively... I don’t know if it’s accurate, but it sounds plausible. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [July 3, 2023, 12:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/10 "2023-07-03T12:39:53Z")
> [@CalMeacham](#): > > Whereas THIS jerk says you can do it with a vinyl polymer and plasticizer Bah, that guy doesn’t look at all reliable 😉 > [@CalMeacham](#): > > As for Pooph, if you go to their website they have this to say about their ingredients: It includes both baking soda AND sodium bicarbonate? Did they maybe mean for one of those two to say “washing soda” or “sodium carbonate”? ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 4:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/11 "2023-07-04T04:50:47Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I can’t remember the last time I saw an air/fabric freshening product that didn’t claim to be ‘actually destroying bad smells, not just covering them up with fragrance’ I’m not exposed to much advertising, but some products claim to _trap_ smells rather than _destroy_ them. Febreze specifically could be said to work that way. It doesn’t eliminate the odors at all, but it does reduce your ability to smell them. ---
**Author:** ![dtilque](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d6d6ee/32.png) [@dtilque](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dtilque)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/12 "2023-07-04T05:10:15Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > I can’t remember the last time I saw an air/fabric freshening product that didn’t claim to be ‘actually destroying bad smells, not just covering them up with fragrance’ I thought most air fresheners temporarily deadened/blocked the nerves in your nose so you couldn’t smell the odor. Not that they ever admit that in their advertising, of course. ---
**Author:** ![Beckdawrek](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/beckdawrek/32/3647_2.png) [@Beckdawrek](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beckdawrek)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 5:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/13 "2023-07-04T05:11:18Z")
Pooph is worthless ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/14 "2023-07-04T07:47:26Z")
> [@Dr.Strangelove](#): > > but some products claim to _trap_ smells rather than _destroy_ them. Febreze specifically could be said to work that way. But Febreze is a case in point; it explicitly claims to destroy odours at source: [‘Doesn’t just mask, it eliminates odours’](https://www.ispot.tv/ad/7P_9/febreze-fabric-refresher-nose-blind-man-cave) In other ads, they show an animation of little droplets [sucking the ‘smell’ out of the fabric and making it disappear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0BK-iiJ8MY). This is the way that nearly all air and fabric freshening products claim they are different from all the others (who also claim they are different, in the same way) Aside, it’s hugely ironic that Febreze talks about a problem called ‘nose blindness’\* when that’s literally how their product works. \*They’re talking about sensory fatigue of course ---
**Author:** ![Dr.Strangelove](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr.strangelove/32/6613_2.png) [@Dr.Strangelove](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr.Strangelove)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2023, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-it-alien-tape-and-pooph/986390/15 "2023-07-04T22:18:05Z")
> [@Mangetout](#): > > In other ads, they show an animation of little droplets [sucking the ‘smell’ out of the fabric and making it disappear](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0BK-iiJ8MY). Well, it does say “dramatization” 🙂 . In any case, “eliminates odors in fabrics” is rather weaker and less specific than “dismantling odors on a molecular level”. It’s still misleading, but not quite at the same level. Febreze doesn’t claim to be causing a chemical reaction. I don’t know if there’s any sense that Pooph’s claims could be said to be true.