Cleaning
How to remove glue from clothes | Expert tips and tricks.
With kids in the house, clothes can quickly get sticky with glue stains. Whether it’s from arts and crafts, false nails, or some other project that has gone awry, we all have had our share of dealing with dried glue spots on clothing. Getting adhesive off clothes can be a bit of a headache, but with these tips and tricks, you can get them back to looking almost as good as new. This blog post shows you a few easy tips to effectively remove glue from clothes without damaging fabric.
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Firstly Identify the type of glue on your clothing.
Some glues are water-based, and some are not. Once you have identified the glue stain, you can decide which is the best method to use to remove it.
Examine the texture and color of the glue:
If the glue is white or yellow and hardened, it might be wood glue or a construction adhesive and, therefore, water-based.
Examples of water-based glues.
- PVA glue, polyvinyl acetate (PVAc) glue
- White craft glue
- Rubber cement
- Specialty adhesives like fabric glue.
How to remove waterbased glue from clothing
The best way to remove water-based glue from clothing involves combining physical and chemical techniques.
- Start by gently scraping off as much glue residue as possible using a dull knife or spatula. Make sure you work slowly and carefully to avoid damaging the fabric.
- Once the residue is gone, apply water and baking soda paste to the remaining glue stain. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes before dabbing it away with a damp cloth.
- If the glue still remains, mix one part white vinegar with two parts warm water in a spray bottle and spray onto the stain.
- Allow it to sit for 15-20 minutes before soaking the garment in cold water.
- Finally, wash the clothing with warm soapy water and allow it to air dry.
- Repeat this process if needed until all traces of the glue are gone.
It could be super or school glue if it’s a clear, sticky texture and, therefore, non-water based.
Examples of non-water-based glues
- Cyanoacrylate (super glue)
- Foam glue
- Epoxy
- Hot melt glue
How to remove non-waterbased glue from clothes
Be diligent and gentle when using solvents to avoid causing further damage to the fabric. Rubbing too vigorously or using too much pressure when removing glue stains can result in irreversible harm.
- First, test an inconspicuous clothing area, as some solvents may cause discoloration or damage to the fabric.
- If the cloth is synthetic or delicate, use a gentle solvent such as rubbing alcohol or acetone.
- For more durable fabrics, a stronger solvent, such as denatured alcohol, may be necessary.
- After removing as much glue as possible, wash your garment according to the manufacturer’s instructions and let it air dry.
- Letting your garment air dry is vital to avoid further damage to the fibers.
- If all else fails, professional dry cleaning may be your only option. Let the dry cleaner know there is glue on the garment so they can take extra care when handling it.
How to remove super glue from fabric without using acetone
Removing super glue stains from fabric without using acetone is possible, just follow these simple steps!
- Use a cotton swab or cloth dampened with warm water to dab at the stain
This should help loosen some of the glue’s hold on the fabric and separate the garment’s fibers.
- Use a soft brush if the glue doesn’t move.
If the glue doesn’t come off easily, gently rub the area with a soft-bristled toothbrush or similar tool. Be sure to use gentle strokes and not too much force when removing the glue to prevent damaging the surface.
You may need to use a mild soap, warm water, and your tool of choice for more stubborn stains. Repeat until all of the glue has been removed. With these tips, you - Wipe away any residue.
Once the glue is removed, use a slightly damp towel or paper towel to wipe away any residue and then dry with a clean cloth.
- If this method doesn’t work:
Use gentle detergents such as dish soap, white vinegar, baking soda paste, or a commercial stain remover. After saturating the area, let the solution rest, wipe away with a damp cloth or sponge, then rinse with warm water.
Repeat until the glue is removed.
Test these solutions on an inconspicuous area before applying them directly onto the glue spot.
How to remove glue from silk fabric
To remove glue from silk fabric, you must be careful and use gentle cleaning agents.
- Always test in an inconspicuous place first and check the garments care label before you start.
- Start by applying warm water with a small amount of washing-up liquid onto the affected area.
- Gently pat the area with a soft cloth or sponge until all traces of the glue have been removed.
- If necessary, repeat this process until the glue stain has gone.
In a nutshell!
You can easily remove glue from most clothing with simple steps and handy materials. Depending on the type of stain, you may need to use a solvent such as white vinegar or nail polish remover to dissolve the adhesive. Test any solvents in an inconspicuous area of your garment before gently rubbing them onto the glue stain to ensure they won’t further discolor or damage the fabric. Once as much glue residue is removed from your clothing as possible, wash it according to label instructions and hang it up to dry. If you’ve any questions about this process, please reach out; I’m here to help!
FAQ
Super glue can be challenging to remove from clothes, but it is not impossible. There are a few methods to get superglue out of clothing.
One option is to allow the glue to dry, then freeze the affected area with ice cubes for about 20 minutes.
Then use an old butter knife or credit card to scrape off any residual glue that may be left.
Then wash the clothing as usual.
No, nail glue is not water-based. Nail glue is a cyanoacrylate adhesive, essentially a plastic-type. It dries quickly and forms a powerful bond when it hardens.
So to remove nail glue from clothes, you may need to use a solvent. For example, acetone or nail polish remover can dissolve the glue and make removing it easier from fabrics. Also, combining warm water and laundry detergent removes any residual adhesive on clothing once you have used the solvent.
First, use warm water and mild soap to loosen the glue from the fabric. If this isn’t successful, you may have to use a detergent containing enzymes designed to remove stains. 
Yes, WD40 can be used to remove adhesive from clothing.
Before trying this method, test in an inconspicuous area first!
Just spray some WD40 onto the stained area and allow it to sit for a while to penetrate the adhesive. Once saturated, take a damp cloth and wipe away the remaining residue. Repeat until all of the adhesive is removed.
Yes, Eucalyptus oil can be used to remove glue from clothes.
To do so, mix one teaspoon of the Eucalyptus Oil with water and gently rub it into the affected area. Allow it to soak into the stain for a few minutes before washing.
Always test a small area on the fabric first to ensure it won’t stain.
Yes, Acetone can remove glue from some clothes but not every fabric.
Test the fabric for colorfastness before applying the Acetone directly onto the fabric.
To do this, apply a small amount of Acetone on an inconspicuous area using a clean cloth and watch for any discoloration.
If no discoloration occurs, apply a small amount of Acetone to the glue stain and allow it to sit for several minutes.
Once the glue has softened, use an old toothbrush or soft cloth to rub away the loosened adhesive gently.
Rinse with cool water and repeat until all the glue is removed.
Afterward, wash clothes according to washing instructions.
Acetone should not be used on silk or wool fabrics.
To remove rubber cement from a rug, start by blotting the area with a cloth to absorb as much residue as possible. Then carefully scrape any remaining rubber cement using a blunt knife or spoon.
If needed, dampen the affected area with warm water and continue scraping until no more residue appears.
Finally, vacuum up the traces of rubber cement and any dirt or debris from the rug.
If some stubborn residue remains, try applying a small amount of rubbing alcohol to help dissolve it. Test this on an inconspicuous area first since it could cause discoloration.
If the stain persists, you may need to take the rug to a specialist for professional cleaning.
