Glue stains can be tricky to remove from clothing. Depending on the type of glue, fabric, and how long the stain has set, glue stains can become permanent if not treated properly. Being prepared and using the right techniques can help you successfully remove glue from clothes.
We will cover how to remove 7 common types of glue from fabric:
White Glue
White glue, also called school glue or Elmer’s glue, is a common household adhesive used for arts and crafts. White glue is water-soluble when wet but can become difficult to remove once dried. Here are some tips for removing white glue stains:
Try soaking the fabric in warm water. For fresh stains that are still wet, soak the clothing in warm water to loosen and rehydrate the glue. Agitate the fabric for 5-10 minutes, then check if the glue stain is loosening. You may need to soak for up to 30 minutes for dried stains.
Use vinegar. White vinegar can help break down dried white glue. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water in a bowl. Soak the clothing for 15 minutes, then rub the vinegar mixture into the stain before washing.
Use dish soap. Apply a few drops of dish soap directly on the glue stain. Gently scrub with a soft-bristled brush in circular motions. Let sit for 10 minutes before rinsing. Dish soap helps break down oils and grease in the glue.
Try rubbing alcohol. Use a cotton ball to dab rubbing alcohol onto the stain. Check frequently and reapply alcohol as needed until the glue softens. Then rinse thoroughly with water.
Use laundry detergent. For small amounts of glue, rub a laundry detergent paste directly onto the stain before washing. The enzymes in laundry detergent can help break down glue.
Wash in hot water. After pre-treating glue stains, wash the clothing in the hottest water recommended for the fabric. Hot water helps loosen glue residues from fabric.
Repeat treatments as needed. It may take several rounds of soaking and washing to fully remove dried or heavy glue stains. Persist with treatments until the stain is gone.
Glitter Glue
Glitter glue contains sparkling bits of glitter suspended in a white glue base. Removing glitter glue can be tedious due to the sticky adhesive and embedded glitter pieces. Here are some removal methods:
Freeze the fabric. Put the clothing item in a sealed plastic bag and place it in the freezer overnight. The cold temperature will harden the glue, making it easier to chip off.
Use packing or duct tape. Press strips of tape over the glitter glue stain, then peel off slowly. The tape can pull off chunks of dried glue and glitter from the fabric.
Try a glue solvent. Adhesive solvents like Goo Gone can dissolve glue residues. Apply a small amount to the stain, let sit 5 minutes, then blot with a paper towel. Rinse afterwards.
Use baby oil. The oil in baby oil can break down glue bonds. Rub a little baby oil into the glitter glue stain. Let sit 10-15 minutes before washing with detergent. The oil will help loosen the glue while the detergent removes oil residues.
Scrub with an old toothbrush. For heavy stains, gently scrub the fabric with an old toothbrush and warm soapy water. This agitation can help dislodge glitter and glue. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Vacuum the fabric. Use the hose attachment on your vacuum cleaner to suck up as much loose glitter as possible. This prevents the glue stain from spreading and removes surface glitter.
Check clothing tags. When using any chemical method, test first on an inconspicuous area to ensure the product is safe for the fabric. Avoid acetone and other harsh solvents which may damage fabrics.
Fabric Glue
Fabric glue is designed to bind fabrics together. It creates a strong, permanent bond that can be difficult to break. Follow these steps to remove fabric glue:
Try steam. Hold a steam iron or garment steamer 1-2 inches above the stain. The steam heat and moisture helps soften dried fabric glue. After steaming, gently scrape off softened glue with a dull knife.
Soak in vinegar water. Mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water. Soak the clothing for 15-20 minutes to dissolve fabric glue bonds. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Use rubbing alcohol. Apply rubbing alcohol directly onto the glue stain. Check every few minutes, reapplying alcohol as needed to keep the stain wet. The alcohol will break down the adhesive.
Scrape off excess glue. Use a dull butter knife or spoon to gently scrape off any hardened glue chunks after applying a solvent like alcohol. This prevents the glue from resetting into fabric.
Wash with laundry detergent. After pre-treating, wash the clothing on a normal cycle with detergent. The enzymes and agitation will help remove remaining glue residue.
Use an adhesive remover. Adhesive remover sprays like Goo Gone are made to dissolve fabric glue. Spray liberally onto the stain, let sit 5 minutes, then rinse off.
Repeat treatments as needed. Tackle stubborn glue stains with repeated applications of steam, alcohol, or other solvents until the stain is gone. Don’t give up too soon!
Hot Glue
Hot glue guns use solid thermoplastic glue sticks that melt at high temperatures. Removing hot glue can be tricky once it hardens again. Here are some tips:
Act quickly while glue is still warm. After hot glue makes contact with fabric, try gently rolling or scraping it off with a spoon or dull knife while still pliable. Cool water can also help harden warm glue for removal.
Freeze the fabric. Put the clothing item in a sealed plastic bag and freeze overnight. The cold renders the glue brittle so it chips off easier. Use a dull knife to scrape off frozen glue pieces.
Apply heat. Use a hairdryer or iron on the hot glue stain. Reheat the glue just enough to soften it for easier removal. Be careful not to burn the fabric.
Use olive or coconut oil. These oils can help break down the thermoplastic bonds in hot glue. Apply oil liberally to the stain and let sit 15-20 minutes before washing out. The oil loosens glue while detergent removes oily residues.
Scrub with an old toothbrush. For heavy glue stains, gently scrub the fabric with a toothbrush and warm soapy water. Take care not to damage delicate fabrics. Rinse thoroughly afterwards.
Try nail polish remover. The acetone in nail polish remover dissolves hot glue. Use a cotton ball to dab remover onto the stain until glue softens, then rinse well. Avoid acetone on acetate or triacetate fabrics.
Wash in hot water. After pre-treating with solvents, wash the garment in the hottest water recommended for the fabric. Hot water will help lift out remaining traces of glue.
Rubber Cement
Rubber cement contains latex or rubber in a volatile solvent. When the solvent evaporates, the rubber bonds surfaces together. To remove rubber cement:
Act fast. Rubber cement is easier to remove when still wet with solvent. As soon as stain occurs, blot excess cement off fabric.
Freeze the stain. Putting the fabric in a sealed plastic bag and freezing overnight helps harden dried cement for scraping off with a dull knife.
Use rubbing alcohol. Dab rubbing alcohol onto cement stain and surrounding area. Check often, reapplying alcohol as needed to keep the stain saturated. This dissolves rubber bonds.
Apply nail polish remover. Like alcohol, nail polish remover containing acetone breaks down rubber cement. Use a cotton ball to work acetone into the stain. Avoid acetate fabrics.
Use steam. Hold a garment steamer or iron 1-2 inches above the stain, taking care not to burn fabric. The steam heat and moisture softens dried cement for removal by scraping.
Scrub with a toothbrush. For heavy stains, gently brush the cement with an old toothbrush and warm soapy water to help dislodge it from fibers. Rinse thoroughly after scrubbing.
Wash normally. After using solvents, wash clothing as usual with laundry detergent. The agitation and detergents lift residual traces of rubber cement. Wash in hottest water safe for that fabric.
Repeat treatments. It often takes multiple applications of solvents and scrubbing for complete cement removal. Persist with the same method until the stain disappears.
Super Glue
Super glue, or cyanoacrylate adhesive, creates extremely strong bonds in seconds. Follow these tips to break super glue’s grip on fabric:
Act immediately. Right after a super glue spill, gently dab or scrape to remove wet glue before drying. Avoid rubbing, which spreads the stain.
Use acetone nail polish remover. The acetone in nail polish remover dissolves cyanoacrylate bonds. Liberally apply remover to the stain, reapplying often to keep wet.
Try soaking in vinegar water. The acid in white vinegar can break super glue bonds. Mix equal parts vinegar and warm water. Soak garment for 15-20 minutes, then rinse.
Use rubbing alcohol. Like acetone, rubbing alcohol dissolved super glue. Saturate the stain with alcohol and reapply as needed to keep wet for 5-10 minutes. Rinse afterwards.
Apply banana peel. The enzymes in banana peels actually break down super glue. Rub the inside of a peel on the stain for 10 minutes before rinsing off.
Freeze the fabric. Putting the item in a sealed bag and freezing overnight makes the super glue brittle so it chips off easier when scraped with a dull knife.
Wash normally. After using solvents, wash as usual with laundry detergent to remove any remaining glue residue. Wash in the hottest water recommended for that fabric type.
Do not iron over super glue. Ironing over dried super glue can actually heat-seal the stain into fabric permanently or cause yellowing. Use solvents instead.
Epoxy
Epoxy is made of resin and hardener components that bond permanently when mixed. Removing epoxy requires dissolving the chemical bonds:
Act fast. Try dabbing up wet epoxy immediately with a paper towel or scraping with a spoon. Once hardened, epoxy cannot be removed.
Use acetone. Nail polish remover with acetone breaks down epoxy’s chemical structure. Liberally apply and reapply often to keep the stain wet for 10-15 minutes.
Try paint remover. Chemical paint removers also dissolve epoxy bonds. Use a cotton ball to work the remover into the stain. Let sit 5 minutes before rinsing.
Use steam. Hold a garment steamer or iron 1-2 inches above the stain. The steam softens the epoxy for easier scraping removal with a dull knife.
Scrub gently with a toothbrush. For heavy stains, gently brush the epoxy with an old toothbrush and warm soapy water. Take care not to damage delicate fabrics.
Wash normally. After using solvents, wash clothing in detergent on the hottest setting safe for that fabric. This lifts remaining residue.
Avoid bleach. Bleach does not remove epoxy effectively and may discolor or damage the fabric. Stick to solvents like acetone instead.
Repeat treatments. Removing epoxy often requires repeating applications of solvents. Persist with the same method until no more epoxy comes up.
Glue Stain Removal Tips
- Always check clothing tags and test products first on an inconspicuous area to ensure they are safe for that fabric.
- Catch glue stains early! Fresh, wet glue comes out much easier than dried glue.
- Avoid ironing over glue stains. Ironing can heat-seal the stain into the fibers permanently.
- Use a dull knife, spoon, or toothbrush to gently scrape off glue chunks after softening with solvents. Avoid spreading the stain.
- Rinse fabric thoroughly after using any solvents to remove chemical residues.
- For heavy stains, repeat treatments like soaking, steaming, or scrubbing as needed until the stain disappears. Perseverance pays off!
- If glue has dried for a long time or through multiple washings, it may be impossible to remove completely. The sooner you treat it, the better.
- For delicate fabrics, opt for gentler methods like freezing, steam, or scraping. Avoid harsh scrubbing or chemicals that could damage the material.
- After glue stain removal, wash the garment normally to lift any remaining adhesive residue. Use hot water if safe for that fabric type.
With the right techniques and products, you can successfully tackle even the trickiest glue stains. Follow these glue removal methods to save your favorite clothes from sticky ruin! Let us know if you have any other glue stain removal tricks not mentioned here.
Frequently Asked Questions About Removing Glue Stains from Clothes
How do you get dried glue out of clothes?
For dried glue stains, try soaking the fabric in a solvent like warm vinegar water or rubbing alcohol to rehydrate and soften the glue. Gently scrape off softened glue with a dull knife. Repeated soaking and scraping may be needed for stubborn stains. Once glue is gone, wash normally.
Does WD-40 remove glue?
Yes, WD-40 can effectively break down many types of dried glue bonds. Spray WD-40 liberally on the glue stain, let sit 10 minutes, then scrub with an old toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly afterwards and wash as usual. WD-40 dissolves glue and the detergent removes oily WD-40 residues.
What dissolves glue on fabric?
Substances that dissolve glue well include vinegar, rubbing alcohol, acetone nail polish remover, adhesive remover sprays, paint remover chemicals, baby oil, coconut oil, and WD-40. For tough glue stains, apply the solvent generously and let it sit for 5-15 minutes to penetrate and soften the glue before scrubbing and washing out.
Does hairspray remove glue from clothes?
Yes, hairspray can help dissolve glue stains since it contains alcohol. Spritz hairspray liberally over the glue mark and let it soak in for 5-10 minutes. Then scrub the spot with an old toothbrush before rinsing and washing the clothing. The alcohol in hairspray breaks down glue bonds.
Can you use Goo Gone on clothes?
Yes, Goo Gone is safe for use on most fabrics. Apply a small amount directly onto the glue stain. Let it sit for 5 minutes to penetrate and soften the glue, then rinse thoroughly before washing. The citrus oils in Goo Gone help dissolve adhesive. Make sure to test first on an inconspicuous area.
How do you get a glue stain out of a dryer?
To remove dried glue inside a dryer, try scraping off chunks with a plastic scraper or an old credit card. Then apply Goo Gone or another adhesive remover, let it soak 5 minutes, and wipe clean with a dry cloth. Repeat scrubbing and applying Goo Gone as needed to remove all glue residue from the dryer drum.
How do you harden glue for removal?
To harden semi-dried glue for easier removal, try one of these methods:
- Freeze the fabric overnight. The cold makes glue brittle.
- Apply an ice cube directly on the glue stain.
- Spray the stain lightly with water. Let it dry completely, allowing glue to harden.
- Press a hot iron onto a cloth on top of the stain, without directly touching. The indirect heat speeds drying.
Once hardened, glue scrapes or chips off fabric more easily.
Conclusion
Removing glue stains from clothing can seem daunting, but with a strategic combination of solvents, scraping tools, heat, and elbow grease, even dried super glue and epoxy stands no chance against removal. Acting quickly while glue is fresh and repeatedly applying an appropriate solvent like vinegar, rubbing alcohol or acetone allows you to break the sticky bonds and save your garment. With smart techniques tailored to the glue type and fabric, you can outsmart glue stains and keep your wardrobe in tip-top shape.