Mealybugs attach themselves to plants and suck the sap and secrete a sticky substance called honeydew. By the time you notice the stickiness, the infestation is pretty far advanced. Treat the mealybugs with a solution of 5 parts water, 1 part alcohol and a squirt of liquid soap. The key to success is thoroughness of coverage. Spray the ENTIRE plant so that all leaf and stem surfaces are dripping wet. If you miss a few, they will reproduce and come back to haunt you. This is a messy task, so it is best done outside where you can spray with impunity.
Mealybugs need plants to survive long term. However, they can survive on furnishings for a short while. It is best to wipe down nearby surfaces with soap and water or whatever you can safely apply to those surfaces. But don't go overboard and feel you have to exterminate the whole house!