Superglue is a long-term household name for an adhesive based on cyanoacrylate. This glue is known for quickly sticking everything from fingers to anything. There are various ways to remove super glue from certain surfaces. In this article, you will find some helpful tips on how to remove superglue.
Steps
Method 1 of 7: Removing Superglue from Skin
Step 1. First try to separate the adhesive from the skin (only if you have non-sensitive skin)
Sometimes this will be enough to remove the adhesive. Do not hurry; if you feel pain or see yourself pulling off your skin, stop immediately.
- Wait for the glue to dry. Do nothing while it is sticky.
- Using your fingernails or scissors, grab the edge of the glue and gently peel it off. Stop if it hurts or the glue won't peel off.
Step 2. Soak off the glue
Warm, soapy water may be enough to loosen the adhesive. Pour warm water into a cup and add 15 ml of liquid soap. Dip a patch of skin with glue in a cup for 30-60 seconds. Then try to remove the softened glue.
- If the glue doesn't work, try using a putty knife, spoon, or other tool.
- It will probably take a few tries before you succeed.
- You can also try lemon juice instead of water, or mix water and lemon juice in a one-to-one ratio. The acid can eat away at the glue.
Step 3. Use white spirit
If you have sensitive skin, dampen the glue-stained area with mineral spirits and then try removing the glue. If the glue does not come off, repeat.
Step 4. Use acetone
This method is best for those with normal skin types. For people with sensitive skin, this method can cause irritation. In addition, acetone dries out the skin. Never use acetone if there is an open wound.
- Soak the glue-stained area in warm, soapy water as soon as possible. This will soften the glue. Add vinegar to the water, it can also help. Try removing the glue from your skin. If you can't do this, blot dry and try another method.
- Use an acetone-based nail polish remover. Acetone softens cyanoacrylate. Apply the product to the super glue spot. As it dries, the glue should begin to flake off. Not use a cotton swab, as acetone can react violently with cyanoacrylate (cotton wool can smoke and ignite).
- Let the treated area dry and then use a nail file to remove the glue. Be careful not to peel off the top layer of your skin. If you have a lot of glue on your hands, you can try removing it with a pumice stone and warm water.
- Over time, the glue will peel off on its own. At first it will turn white, it’s not scary, then it will go away without your help.
Step 5. If you have sensitive skin, use a little oil
Rub some margarine into the glue-stained area. Repeat the procedure several times until the glue is completely removed.
If the margarine is fat, olive oil will do. The fat reacts with the glue and weakens it
Step 6. Use detergent
Mix liquid detergent with hot water. If you are removing glue from a small area, dissolve 1/4 cup of washing powder in a cup of hot water, that should be enough.
Rub and soak for 20 minutes to dissolve the adhesive
Step 7. Use salt
A paste made from water and salt must be abrasive enough to remove the glue. Sprinkle two tablespoons (30 ml) of salt on your hands.
- Pour some water into the salt to turn it into a paste.
- Rub the paste in your hands for about 30-60 seconds.
- Rinse off some of the paste.
- Rub without adding water.
- Repeat until the salt is completely washed off. The glue should come off.
Step 8. Use petroleum jelly
Wash your hands or the area where the glue is located with hot soapy water.
- Apply a thick layer of petroleum jelly to the affected area.
- Rub this area with a nail file for about a minute or until you notice the glue comes off.
- Repeat. Then wipe your hands dry.
Method 2 of 7: Removing Superglue from Eyes
Step 1. If superglue gets on your eyelids and they stick together, wash them with warm water
Soak a soft cloth in warm water and gently apply to your eyelid. Rinse well. Repeat several times and be patient. In no more than 4 days, the eyelids will eventually open on their own.
Do not try to force open your eye. Let some time pass
Step 2. Let the tears flow freely if the superglue touches the eyeball
Thanks to the proteins contained in tears, the glue can dissolve. Tears can wash it away in a few hours. Rinse your eyes well with warm water until they stop bothering you.
You may experience double vision. Relax in a calm place until the glue comes off and is washed out of your eye
Step 3. See your doctor
Be sure to see a doctor after getting superglue in your eyes. The eye area is very delicate and should be examined by a professional to avoid chronic damage. Explain what happened and ask them to check your eyes to make sure everything is in order.
Method 3 of 7: Remove super glue from lips
Step 1. You need to act quickly
If your lips are glued together with superglue, chances are you are not laughing.
Step 2. Pour warm water into a small bowl
Dip your lips in water for one to two minutes.
Step 3. Try to collect as much saliva in your mouth as possible
Try to push it through your lips.
The saliva will moisturize and soften the glue in the mouth, while the water will moisturize the outside
Step 4. Carefully remove the adhesive
Once you've moisturized your lips well enough, try to gently remove the glue crust from your lips. Don't pull! Pulling can hurt your lips even more.
While your lips are in warm water, move them from side to side. There is a chance that they will open themselves this way
Step 5. Eat and drink as usual
Your saliva will eventually remove the remaining glue, but do not swallow it. Instead, spit out the remaining glue.
- Don't worry about swallowing liquid glue. It hardens as soon as it comes into contact with saliva.
- The remaining glue should come off within one to two days.
Method 4 of 7: Removing superglue from smooth surfaces (wood, metal, stone)
Step 1. Try to peel the adhesive off the surface first
Use your fingertip or nail to try to remove the glue. If this succeeds, then the deed is done. If not, go to the next step.
- The tips in this step should work on most smooth surfaces, including wood, metal, and stone, but don't use these methods on plastic or glass.
- Always check on a hidden part of the surface to make sure that one method or another will not harm it. This is especially true for abrasive and corrosive materials like acetone.
Step 2. Wet the surface
Add liquid soap to warm water. Dip a rag into the mixture. Then place the rag on the glue for a few hours.
- You may need to wrap the rag in plastic wrap to keep it damp.
- Once the glue has softened, try scraping it off again.
Step 3. Try acetone if the surface of the wood is finished
If you pull on the adhesive while trying to peel it off, you run the risk of tearing off the wood covering, so there are some rules to follow.
- Dip a rag in acetone or nail polish remover. You can use toothpaste instead of a rag, just make sure no one else will use it!
- Rub the surface where the glue is. Rub small areas in a circular motion. For larger stains, rub in a circular motion from the edges to the center.
- Using a rubber or silicone spatula, try to remove the glue. The acetone will help lift the edges of the glue so you can slide a spatula under the edge of the stain and remove the glue.
- Wash the surface with warm water and soap to remove the acetone. Then polish the furniture with beeswax or olive oil.
Step 4. Use lemon juice
If you don't have acetone-based nail polish remover, or need a less corrosive solution, use lemon juice. Do the same as described in the previous step.
- Apply a small amount of juice to the glue using an old toothbrush. Rub the juice into the glue in a circular motion until it starts to come off.
- Alcohol may also help you.
Step 5. Try using mineral oil
Provided the surface is not painted, the oil can lift the edges of the adhesive. Dampen a cloth with oil and apply it over the stain until the edges of the glue come up. Wash off the oil with warm soapy water and buff the surface.
This option works well with unpainted wood
Step 6. Sand the wood surface
In some cases, sanding may be the best option. Place duct tape around the stain to protect the surface around it. Then sand the glue until it comes off. Restore the sanded area with oil, varnish or paint, i.e. the finish that the tree originally had.
Method 5 of 7: Removing superglue from fabric
Step 1. First of all, rinse the garment in cold water
Rub the stain to remove as much glue as possible. This can only be done through friction.
- Be careful with delicate fabrics, washing can damage the fibers of the fabric.
- Add a strong detergent to the water, about 30 ml should be enough.
Step 2. Use acetone for natural fabrics
Dampen the cloth with acetone, then rub it into the stain with a clean old toothbrush or cotton swab to try to lift it. Clean the glue with a dull knife or spatula, then wash the garment as you normally would (you can also pre-treat the stain if you normally do this before washing).
- Do not use acetone on fabrics that contain acetate or acetate fibers, the fabric will melt.
- Always test the fabric before applying the solvent to a small area.
- Please note that acetone can discolor the fabric.
Step 3. Have your expensive clothes dry cleaned
Better to be safe than sorry.
Method 6 of 7: Removing superglue from plastic
Step 1. Try scrubbing the stain
Use your fingernail to lift the edge of the stain, then roll up the glue. It will take effort, but it can be a solution in this situation.
You can also use a plastic putty knife or knife to scrape off the glue without scratching the plastic
Step 2. Try to soften the glue
Make a solution of warm water and soap. You can use dish soap.
- Dip a cloth or paper towel in soapy water. Wring out so that the cloth is just damp.
- Place a rag or paper towel over the stain. Place a layer of plastic wrap on a rag or paper towel, seal the edges of the plastic with masking tape to create a humid microclimate inside. Leave it on for a few hours. A damp cloth will soak the glue and soften it.
- Wipe off the glue with a soapy cloth. Rub until all the glue is removed.
Step 3. Use rubbing alcohol
Remember, alcohol can harm some surfaces. So check on an inconspicuous area and only then proceed.
- Dampen a soft cloth with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
- Place a rag over the glue stain to loosen the glue.
- The glue will lag behind the surface; remove as much glue as possible.
- Dampen a cloth with soapy water to remove any glue residue.
- Rinse with clean warm water. Let dry.
Method 7 of 7: Removing superglue from glass
Step 1. Try to remove as much glue as possible with a sharp blade
A razor blade will do this well without damaging the glass. Then wash off the remaining glue with warm water and soap, rinse and dry the surface.
Step 2. If this method does not work, try soaking the glue stain
- Place the glass object in a bowl of warm, soapy water. If this is not possible, simply soak a rag in warm soapy water and hold it over the stain.
- Attach a layer of polyethylene over the fabric. Let stand for an hour or two to soften the glue. Then scrape off the softened glue with a razor or spatula.
- Rubbing alcohol, eucalyptus oil, or acetone can be used to remove residual stains. Wash the glass with water and polish if necessary.
Advice
- Some cleaning products will help remove glue residue from the surface. You can find the right product that will be effective in your case. Read the instructions for your chosen product to see which stains it can be used to remove.
- Nail polish remover often contains acetone. Check the label as if so, you can use this nail polish remover to remove the glue.
- Pay special attention to the edges of the stain. You need to grab the stain off the edge to try and rip it off the entire surface. Try to soak the stain first, and when it starts to lag behind the edges, remove it.
Warnings
- Solvents such as acetone or alcohol can make colored fabrics look dull. Always use these solvents with care and try them on an inconspicuous area of the product you intend to clean before using.
- Think before putting superglue or superglue tube cap in your mouth! This is one of the most common reasons lips stick together. People try to unclog a tube of glue by biting the tube or trying to blow through the tube.
- Please note that wearing cotton or wool clothing (especially gloves) is not recommended when working with cyanoacrylate due to the fact that these substances can react with each other, generating heat, which could potentially cause skin burns or even fire.