How to get super glue and other glue out of clothes

How to remove glue from clothes

1. 1

   Let super glue cure fully

   Don't try to wipe wet super glue: leave it until it's completely hard, and keep the fabric flat so it doesn't glue itself to another layer.

   Why: Wiping wet cyanoacrylate spreads it over a larger area, where it cures in seconds anyway. Cured glue sits on the surface as a hard lump you can scrape.

2. 2

   Scrape off the excess

   Scrape the hardened glue with a dull knife or spoon, working carefully. Stop before you start pulling threads.

   Why: The less glue that's left, the less acetone you'll need, and the smaller the area exposed to a solvent.

3. 3

   Check the fiber and test acetone

   Read the care label. If it lists acetate, triacetate or modacrylic, don't use acetone at all. Otherwise, dab a little on an inside seam and check for color loss.

   Why: Acetone dissolves acetate and triacetate and damages modacrylic, and it can lift some dyes.

4. 4

   Soak, then dab with acetone

   Soak the spot in cold water and blot it. Then dip a cotton swab in acetone and dab the glue, working from the edge inward. As it softens, blot or gently peel it away. Repeat until the glue is gone.

   Why: Acetone softens cured cyanoacrylate so it can be lifted out of the weave. Working from the edge keeps the softened glue from spreading.

5. 5

   Pretreat with detergent and wash

   Rinse the area, rub heavy-duty liquid laundry detergent into it and wash as the care label directs.

   Why: Detergent removes acetone residue and any glue film or dye the solvent loosened.

6. 6

   Check before drying

   Air-dry the garment and feel the spot. If it's still stiff or shiny, repeat the acetone step before it goes in the dryer.

   Why: Dryer heat can harden or fix remaining adhesive residue in the fibers.

Know your glue: the type decides the method

Glues work in completely different ways, so start by identifying which one you have. It's one of the adhesive stains, but the family is broad.

• Super glue (cyanoacrylate) cures in seconds when it touches moisture, forming a hard plastic. Water won't touch it, but acetone softens it.
• White, school and most wood glues are polyvinyl acetate (PVA) in water. They rinse out while wet and soften with a long cold soak once dry.
• Glue sticks are water-soluble and sometimes colored.
• Hot glue is a plastic that melts when heated and goes hard when cool, so cold helps you scrape it.

Using acetone on school glue, or water on super glue, wastes time and can make a bigger mess.

Can super glue really come out of fabric?

Sources disagree. The University of Georgia's textile stain guide simply states that super glue on apparel can't be removed. Henkel, which makes super glue, gives the acetone method on this page for fabrics that tolerate it. It's worth trying on fabric that passes the acetone test, but go in expecting that a large spill, or glue that soaked right through the weave, may leave a stiff or discolored spot.

By situation

White glue or school glue

Soak the garment in cold water while the glue is still soft, then work in liquid detergent and wash. Dried school glue softens with a longer cold soak; scrape it as it swells, then pretreat with detergent and wash.

Glue stick

Crayola's method for glue stick on clothes: rinse with hot water until no more color comes out, wash hot on a heavy-soil cycle, soak for an hour in oxygen bleach solution if any color remains, air-dry and rewash.

Hot glue

Harden it with ice, or put the garment in the freezer, then scrape and flex it off. Treat any film left with a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid, rinse and launder, as the American Cleaning Institute advises for adhesives.

Hair glue on clothes

"Hair glue" can mean a strong-hold styling gel or a wig and lace-front bonding adhesive. Check the product label for its remover or cleanup directions. For a water-based styling gel, rinse and wash with detergent. For a bonding adhesive, pretreat with a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid, rinse and launder, and test any solvent on a seam first.

Super glue already went through the wash or dryer

Heat and agitation can harden the glue further, but the method is the same: scrape, then acetone on fibers that tolerate it, then detergent and a rewash. Expect it to take a few rounds.

Silk, wool, acetate and dry-clean-only clothes

Henkel notes acetone can harm fine silk and wool, and it dissolves acetate and triacetate. Don't treat these at home. Take the garment to a dry cleaner and tell them it's super glue.

What not to do

• Don't wipe wet super glue. It smears over a wider area and cures within seconds anyway.
• Don't use acetone on acetate, triacetate or modacrylic. Acetone dissolves or damages these fibers.
• Don't dry a garment that still has glue residue. Heat can fix the remaining adhesive in place.
• Don't spill a large amount of liquid super glue on cotton or wool you're wearing. Cyanoacrylate reacts rapidly with cotton and wool and releases heat, which can cause burns. Take the garment off first.

Other methods that work

Acetone nail polish remover

If you don't have pure acetone, an acetone-based nail polish remover softens super glue the same way. Check the label: the active ingredient has to be acetone.

Caution: Same fiber limits as acetone. Some removers contain oils or dyes, so test first and wash afterward.

Rubbing alcohol or warm white vinegar

Henkel lists these for sticker and label residue on fabric rather than super glue. They're useful for tape and label adhesive.

Caution: Alcohol can fade some dyes. Test both on a seam.

Prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid

The American Cleaning Institute's approach for adhesives in general: harden with ice, scrape, saturate with a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid, rinse and launder.

Caution: Follow the product label and ventilate when using cleaning fluid.

Stain still there?

A hard, shiny patch remains

Cured glue is still in the weave. Repeat the acetone dabbing with fresh swabs, blotting as it softens, then rewash. It may take several rounds.

Acetone left a light spot or ring

It lifted some dye. Stop using it on that garment. The color change is usually permanent, which is why testing on a seam first matters.

Dried school glue left a stiff patch after washing

Soak the area in cold water for longer, scraping as it softens, then pretreat with detergent and wash again.

Safety

• Acetone is flammable. Use it in a ventilated room away from flames.
• If super glue bonds skin, separate it gently and wash with soap and warm water. Get medical care if glue gets in an eye.

Never mix cleaning products; see chemicals you must never combine.

Questions

Glue on other surfaces

• Glue stains: the complete guide
• Glue on carpet
• Glue on hair

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