I have a very old set of speakers that came from one of the last tube style televisions.  They attach to either side of the enclosure to provide stereo speakers.  They work fine.  The TV is long gone, but they speakers found use as rear speakers for the current surround sound system.

While cleaning the room I saw this…

Something dripping down the wall beneath the speaker.

The mind races to understand what of a speaker would drip down a wall.  Further examination found this…

Soft pad turns into tar like substance.

The soft pad nestled into the speaker completely turned to goo.

Detergent is always my first go to for clean up, but it did nothing.  Rubbing alcohol did the trick…

Running alcohol worked to clean things up.

Not pretty, but with time and repetition with fresh paper towels, it all worked out.

Surround speaker back in place. Wall needs paint, but is good enough for now.

This is a basement so this will do for now.

Conclusion

Time is a killer of plastics and rubber-like items.