Superglue is noticeably stronger than other types of household glue, but its durability is quite inconvenient when you have to deal with dirty hands. However, even if you get your hands dirty with superglue, there is no need to wait for it to gradually come off your skin. And on the packaging of some brands of superglue, there is even a warning that this should not be allowed. To remove the most sticky superglue from your hands, you can use just water and table salt. This simple method will get rid of the glue in a matter of minutes.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Standard Superglue Removal Method
Step 1. Pour some salt into your hand
There is no specific amount of salt you will need. It needs more or less depending on how much glue needs to be removed. Regular table salt is fine for this task, but you can also use sea salt, kosher, or other finely ground salt. Avoid using coarse salt as it can injure your skin.
If you're unsure of how much salt to use, start with a couple of tablespoons and add more as needed
Step 2. Add water to make a paste
If you add half as much water as salt, you get a loose, salty paste. Stir the salt and water directly in your hand (or in a separate container) until a smooth consistency is obtained.
- It is best to use warm water. Warm water will speed up the chemical reaction, causing the adhesive to break apart.
- If you have a particularly difficult glue removal task, try using lemon juice instead of water. The acid in this juice will help dissolve the glue.
Step 3. Rub the paste into your soiled hand for about a minute
Use your free hand to rub the paste over the stained area of your other hand. If both hands are covered with glue, rub the paste between them. Apply gentle pressure to your skin at all times to work the salt into the glue. During this procedure, the glue will gradually begin to split and flake off.
After a minute, rinse off the salt to watch the glue come off. If there is no more glue, then the procedure is complete! However, it is often necessary to carry out several more procedures in order to make significant progress
Step 4. Add more salt and water if necessary
As you rub your hands, the paste will gradually drain and drain away (so it's a good idea to work on the sink). Continue adding salt and water to your hands to maintain a loose, abrasive paste. Depending on how dirty your hands are with the glue, it may be a good idea to pre-measure yourself with a few scoops of salt for a series of successive glue washes.
Step 5. Continue to work until the glue is removed
Successively rub the salted paste into the skin, rinse off the already removed particles of glue and reapply the paste to your hands. Eventually, you will remove most of the glue. It may not come off completely the first time; in this case, repeat the procedure in order to get rid of the glue as soon as possible.
Even if you can't get all the glue off your hands, don't worry, it will eventually come off your skin. The natural sebaceous secretions of the skin will gradually weaken it and it will lag behind it in the course of your daily activities. Superglue rarely lasts more than two days on the skin
Method 2 of 2: Additional Ideas
Step 1. Try using olive oil with salt
Olive or other vegetable oil (rapeseed, peanut, etc.) is just as good for making a salted paste as water. In addition, the oil has additional beneficial properties, for example, it has a moisturizing effect on the skin, making it soft and smooth. Some people also report that the oil gives the skin a healthy and attractive "glow."
Note, however, that it is not always wise to use oil. If you already have oily skin, the oil can trigger skin problems
Step 2. Use acetone and salt to dissolve the glue
Acetone is a chemical solvent that can break down certain types of adhesives and plastics. If you take not water, but acetone to prepare salted pasta, then most types of superglue can be removed from your hands much faster than usual. Care must be taken, however, as acetone can be too harsh on dry and sensitive skin, so use it sparingly and be sure to apply a moisturizer afterwards.
Acetone is found in many (but not all) nail polish removers. Before taking on this product, be sure to check the list of its constituent ingredients, as in the absence of acetone it will not be as effective
Step 3. Additionally, use a detergent
Laundry detergent does a great job of removing stuck-on super glue. But it is not a complete substitute for water, like the aforementioned remedies. First add a drop of detergent to a small bowl of water (no more than 1-2 tablespoons of water), then add salt and stir. Use the resulting soapy paste to break up the superglue.
When finished, rinse your hands well with water. If you don't do this carefully, soap residues can linger on your hands until your next meal. While this is unlikely to be dangerous, mild nausea may well result if soap gets inside
Step 4. Apply the salted paste as a scrub
Salted pasta can be a great homemade cosmetic that will come in handy even if you haven't got super glue on your hands. Gently rub the salt scrub on your skin to remove dead skin cells for a fresh and healthy look.
Most importantly, since the only ingredients in the salted pasta are salt and water (or oil), this homemade scrub will keep well. Just keep it in a dark place in a container with a tight lid and it won't go bad for months
Advice
- When other foods are not available, plain soap and water will suffice (with or without salt).
- If the salt is causing your skin irritation, it is probably best for you to use other methods of removing superglue. Acetone, hand lotion, and olive oil can be quite effective even without salt.
- Don't have olive oil on hand? It can perfectly replace butter. And the warmth of your hands will be enough to melt this butter with minimal impact on it.