First time I've ever experienced that sticky goopy stuff on the thumbsticks, so I freaked out a little. I usually take impeccable care with my controllers. Always wash my hands before gaming. Never eat while playing. And generally refrain from throwing them at the TV in frustration. LOL. Kinda freaked out when I saw that stuff on three controllers, all of which had been in storage for a while before moving.
Luckily, a good light scrubbing with some isopropyl alcohol seems to have taken care of it. At least for now. Think I'm gonna go ahead and buy some replacement sticks though, just in case, because I'm, paranoid like that.