How to Remove Superglue From Almost Everything
If you’ve ever accidentally broken an irreplaceable plaque, or needed a quick way to fix the interdigital section of your flip-flops, chances are you used Super Glue (yes, it’s an official trademark such as Xerox or Kleenex). And while this little pipe can take on a lot of big jobs, sometimes accidents happen … like sticking yourself to whatever you’re trying to fix. Fortunately, there are ways around this, courtesy of people who know better : the Super Glue makers. Here’s how to get rid of almost any stuck-on object that’s broken due to sticking.
Leather
As simple as it sounds, start by rinsing your stuck skin with warm, soapy water. This may not work right away and may require multiple applications. This is completely normal and worth a try. Definitely do not rip the skin as if you were ripping off a bandage, as it can rip and bleed.
If warm, soapy water doesn’t work, try acetone, which is most commonly found in some types of nail polish remover. To apply it to your skin, dip the end of a cotton swab in a small amount of nail polish remover and then apply it directly to the glue. This should dissolve the bond without damaging the skin. Plus, acetone dehydrates the skin, so after using it, be sure to wash the area with soap and water and then apply a moisturizing lotion to counteract dryness.
One way to glue your fingers (or whatever item you are repairing) is to wear gloves . That way, if you do get stuck, you can just take off your glove and have fun.
Clothing and fabrics
And here the answer is acetone. It is best to use an old toothbrush for clothing and textiles. Continue reapplying acetone and brushing to remove layer by layer. Start on the outside of the fabric, then work on the other side, attacking from the inside. While this usually works to some extent, the adhesive may not come out completely.
Counters, tables, floors and other surfaces
Take again – you guessed it – acetone. Start by applying nail polish remover to the surface and penetrating the adhesive. Then, when it softens a little, brush, scrape, peel, shave, sand or use mechanical means to remove the glue. If at first you don’t succeed, apply more acetone and try again. But super glue experts say to be careful because direct acetone is strong enough to discolor many different types of fabrics and can ruin the finish of some materials, such as laminated wood. So proceed with caution and use sparingly.
Finally, when using super glue, acetone, or any other chemical, be sure to do so in a well-ventilated area to reduce exposure to potential fumes.
This story was originally published on 12/29/09 and updated on 6/17/19 to provide more complete and up-to-date information.