How to Remove Super Glue from Clothes

• Q-tip or paper towel folded into a square

• Washing machine

• Emery board or sand paper (very fine)

• Liquid laundry detergent

• Toothbrush

• Nail polish remover (acetone-based)

• Lighter fluid (optional)

First of all, the glue should be dry before trying to remove it. Take the Q-tip or square of paper towel and wet it with the nail polish remover. The nail polish remover must be acetone-based or this procedure will not remove the glue.

In order to make sure that the nail polish remover is not going to ruin or stain your clothing, put a little of it on the fabric in a spot that will not be noticeable if it causes damage or discoloration.

With the part of the Q-tip or paper towel that is wet with the nail polish remover, moisten the spot that has the glue, and hold it there for a couple of minutes.

Take the toothbrush and rub this spot briskly. You will see some flakes of glue fall off. Depending on how much glue is on the fabric, you may need to wet the fabric, let it sit, and rub it with the toothbrush a few times before all of the glue comes off.

You might need to perform these steps on the other side of the fabric as well if the glue has soaked all the way through.

If the glue hasn’t been completely removed after following these steps several times, gently run your emery board or very fine sandpaper on the glue spot. Make sure that you don’t rub too hard so that you avoid ruining your clothing.

Once the glue spot has been removed, pour two or three drops of liquid laundry detergent on the spot where the glue was and rub it gently between your fingers. Wash the item in your washing machine as you normally would, taking care to follow any special washing instructions found on the label.

If the glue stain is still noticeable after the fabric has been washed, avoid putting it in the dryer because the heat from the dryer will cause the stain to become permanent.

You can try getting rid of it with lighter fluid, but make sure you test the lighter fluid on a discreet part of the fabric first to avoid an additional stain.If the fabric passes the test, dab a small bit of lighter fluid directly on the remaining glue stain, and then rub it with the toothbrush using the same method as you had done with the nail polish remover. Then wash the fabric in the washing machine again as before.

Be very careful when pouring the lighter fluid because it can be poisonous if swallowed. Make sure that you do not use lighter fluid on fabric that has a lot of static electricity or around an open flame as it is very flammable.

You can also watch the following video as reference.

Make sure that the glue is completely dry before trying to remove it. Most stains are easier to get rid of while they are still wet, but if super glue is not dry, the Q-tip or paper towel will just stick to the glue and cause a bigger problem.

If the stained fabric is supposed to be dry cleaned according to its label, do not try the procedures laid out in this guide. Take it to a dry cleaner instead.

If the glue stain is on fabric made of silk or another delicate material, it might be a good idea to have it assessed by a professional cleaner before trying these steps, even if the label states that the fabric is washable.

If you decide to try a super glue solvent from your local craft or hardware store, make sure that you read the product label first, including the directions and warnings, to make sure that it is safe to use on your fabric, as these solvents tend to be very strong. If you decide to go ahead with it, don’t forget to test it on an area of the fabric that won’t be noticed first.

Craft and hardware stores also sell other products that can help with removing glue stains, such as Z-7 Debonder and Goo Gone. Be sure to follow the same precautions as with solvent, including testing a hidden part of the fabric first, following any directions, and taking into consideration any warnings on the product label.

If the glue stain remains after following these steps and tips, check the glue package or the internet for the manufacturer’s information and contact them for help.