Super glue is a miracle when it comes to fixing our broken mugs, our children’s toys, and our DIY projects. However, this fast-drying adhesive can become a disaster if it spills onto our clothes. So how can we safely remove it?
Remember that different kinds of materials will need to be treated differently to prevent damage while attempting to remove the super glue. So, be careful and follow your material’s cleaning and safety instructions.
6 Methods To Remove Super Glue From Fabric
The 6 best ways to remove super glue from fabric are:
- Getting it dry cleaned (best for delicate clothes)
- Acetone (Fastest method but risks damaging fabric)
- Rubbing Alcohol (Effective but not so damaging as acetone)
- Vinegar (Ideal to remove super glue from black/dark fabric)
- Baking Soda
- Commercial Glue Removers
Always check the tags on your clothing for cleaning instructions and try to use a method that will not damage your clothes.
1- Dry Cleaning
For delicate clothes, or clothes that are “dry clean only”, take them to professional dry cleaners to have them remove the super glue. They will know exactly how to treat your clothes to clean them without damaging the material. This can be done for cotton, polyester, or even jeans that are delicate.
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2- Acetone
Many cleaning experts suggest that this is the most effective method that can be used to remove superglue from almost any material. So how do you remove superglue from clothes using acetone? When the super glue has dried:
- First, scrape off the excess with a hard-edged tool like a spoon or butter knife.
- Then apply the acetone using a cotton ball or pad to the area of the material that has the glue.
- You should test the acetone out on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric first to make sure it will not discolor the fabric.
- If it does not, you can apply the acetone and rub at the glue stain until it is gone.
- Finally wash and dry your garment, as usual, to get the acetone off the material.
Video: How to remove super glue stains from clothes
3- Rubbing Alcohol
Does rubbing alcohol remove super glue from clothes?
Yes. Rubbing alcohol evaporates quickly and can be used to remove super glue and other sticky residues from clothes and other materials.
When using it on clothes, always test a small area first to ensure it will not bleach the clothes or damage the fabric. Avoid using it on delicate or dry-clean-only fabrics. It can be used on cotton, polyester, and jeans.
- After scraping off the excess super glue from the clothes,
- soak a cotton ball with rubbing alcohol
- And gently rub at the stain repeatedly until it has been removed.
- Then wash your fabric with warm water and detergent to get the alcohol off the material.
4- Vinegar
Does vinegar remove super glue from clothes?
Yes. Vinegar contains acetic acid which breaks down super glue.
It is ideal for any material on which you do not want to use harsh chemicals like acetone or alcohol. However, you should still check your garment’s cleaning instructions to be sure the vinegar will not damage the fabric. You can also do a small patch test first to make sure. When you are certain:
- Mix one part white vinegar and one part water.
- Then remove the excess glue by scraping it off.
- Next, dab the mixture onto the super glue stain using a clean cloth repeatedly until the glue has been removed.
- Wash your clothes gently on the warm setting to get the vinegar off the material.
Related Articles: 6 Best Fabric Glue Alternatives That Work Just As Good
5- Baking Soda
If you have baking soda in your kitchen already, you are all set. Baking soda can naturally loosen the adhesive bonds in super glue. However, since baking soda has some bleaching properties, it is best to keep this away from dark or vibrant-colored clothes.
- Always do a small patch test first to see how it will affect the fabric.
- Next, scrape off the excess super glue.
- Then, to use this method, spread the fabric on a flat surface and sprinkle some of the baking soda on the area where the super glue is.
- Pour some white vinegar into a small bowl and dunk a small toothbrush in it.
- Use the vinegar-soaked toothbrush to scrub over the super glue and baking soda until the super glue is removed.
- Finally, wash your fabric as usual to remove the baking soda, glue residue, and vinegar.
6 – Commercial Glue Removers
There are many commercial glue removers available that you can try if you prefer not to use DIY methods. However, be careful to make sure that they are safe to be used on clothing and can be easily washed off. Many industrial-strength glue removers can be irritating and dangerous to the skin and even dangerous to your body if you inhale the fumes.
A great recommendation is the Loctite 853360 Glue Remover Gel. It can be used on many different materials including clothing and jeans. It is safe and easy to use. And it can be easily washed off.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How do you get superglue off fabrics without acetone?
Apart from using acetone, you can also use rubbing alcohol, vinegar, baking soda, dry cleaning, and commercial glue removers to get super glue off your fabrics.
We have covered the different methods above. Remember to keep your fabrics’ cleaning and care instructions in mind when choosing an option!
Related Articles: How to Use Fabric Glue & How Long to Let it Dry -W/Video
Can you remove super glue from fabrics with an iron?
Ironing your fabric will soften the glue but it will not remove it. If you have a super glue stain, it is best to remove it when it is dry. That way, you can scrape off the excess and then dissolve the rest.
Heating it will soften up the glue and spread it more. It will also make it harder to get it off of the fabric. You might even end up burning your fabric.
If you have a lot of super glue on your fabric that is hard to scrape off, you can soften it up by using an iron so that you can peel the excess off the top. However, you will still need to use other methods to get the residue or the rest of the super glue off.
How can you get super glue out of black clothes?
A great method to use to remove super glue from black clothes is vinegar. The acetic acid in vinegar is so mild that it will not bleach your clothes. And you will need to dilute it when using it. It will remove residues without making your clothes fade.
Does WD-40 remove super glue from fabrics?
WD-40 is an excellent solvent. This means that it can dissolve residues like superglue rather effectively. However, we do not recommend using WD-40 on your clothes as a super glue remover. WD-40 is an oily lubricant, which means that it will soak into the fibers of your clothes and will be hard to wash out.
WD-40 can also stain your clothes with its brown color, which can be very difficult to remove if left on too long. If you are confident that you can remove the WD-40 from your clothes it can be a great super glue remover. But we would rather try easier, safer options on our much-loved blouses and jeans!
Sources:
10 Super-Easy Ways to Remove Super Glue from Fabric
How to Remove Super Glue from Clothes | Persil
How to Get Super Glue Out of Clothes: 14 Steps (with Pictures)
The best tips on how to remove glue from clothes | Cleanipedia UK
How to remove glue from fabric: The answer is at your fingertips