In many households, super glue is the Mr. fix it. You can work with almost anything and fix almost everything using super glue. It therefore won’t be surprising that you will have to deal with super glue stains now and again in your house. Super glue stains are quite common although we all detest them. But is there a way you can get them off your clothing? Don’t worry; we are going to give in detail everything you need to know on how to remove super glue stains from clothing.
What Removes Super Glue?
Super glue is quite different from other types of glue both in terms of functionality and the ease of removing. For example, you can easily remove white school glue successfully by simply dissolving it in water. Epoxy adhesives on the other hand can be easily dissolved by using methylated spirits or rubbing alcohol. However, when it comes to super glue, the only agent that has been proven to be effective in removing them from clothing is acetone. But before settling on acetone, it is important to consult the manufacturer of the super glue to know the ingredients and whether acetone can be effective against it.
Acetone is a solvent that you are likely to find easily in any household. It can be found in paint thinners or nail polish remover among other things that we use in the house. However, because of its chemical properties, acetone is likely to discolor delicate fabrics, a point you always have to keep in the back of your mind before using it to remove super glue stains from your clothing.
It is important to check the care label of your clothing before using acetone on them. For example, if your clothing is made of acetate, using acetone on it will damage the fabric. For such cases take the clothing to a professional dry cleaner that has the knowledge to deal with the super glue stain without ruining your clothing. Also, acetone may contain some toxic odors. Therefore, work in well-ventilated rooms or outdoors as much as possible.
How NOT to Remove Super Glue From Clothes
While it is helpful knowing how to remove super glue from clothing, it is also helpful to know how not to remove super glue stains from clothes. Below are some tips you will find handy and effective when dealing with super glue stains on your clothing.
- Once you have stained your clothing with superglue, never panic. Most people will panic and start scrubbing away at the super glue right away. This makes the stain much worse rather than help remove it. If you scrub the stain when it is wet, it will spread and increase the surface area of the stain. The stain is better left to dry before you can begin any attempt of removing it.
- Never rush the drying process by using high heat. High heat will set the stain into the fabric if the stain was not completely removed in the washing machine. You are better off letting the garment dry naturally. This way, if you notice that the stain remains, you can repeat the cleaning process.
Removing Super Glue from Clothes
If done correctly, removing super glue from clothing can be simple, hassle-free, and straightforward. Here is a step by step guide on how to remove super glue from clothing:
- Let the super glue dry completely before you can begin tackling the stain. Once the stain has dried, it will feel hard to touch and not sticky at all. If you want to start working on the stain immediately, soak the garment in a bowl of cold water. This speeds up the drying time of the super glue stain.
- If the garment that you are working on is synthetic or cotton, begin by scraping off the dried super glue as much as possible with the help of a blunt object. Scrape gently while avoiding digging into the fibers as this could cause damage to your garment. Even though this will not get rid of all the superglue, it will take some layers of the super glue stain making the next steps much easier for you. However, if the garment you are working on has delicate fabrics such as silk or wool, you are better o skipping this step.
- Apply a little amount of acetone to a ball of cotton wool and try it on a small inconspicuous batch of the garment. If you don’t notice any adverse effects such as discoloration, then start dabbing the stain with the acetone as you rub across it gently. With time, the acetone will begin breaking the adhesive bond between the fabric and the super glue. The dried glue will begin to soften; you can be able to feel this happening using your fingers. Continue dabbing the stain until it becomes completely soft.
- Once the adhesive bond has been broken and the stain is soft enough, you can now finish the job super glue stain removal using a pre-treatment stain remover. Most pre-treatment stain removers come with a dosing ball that you can use to carefully massage the stain remover deep into the fabric. This works to stain out the fabric. Rinse the garment in cold water before you begin to wash it.
- Wash your garment as normal. Check the care label and wash the garment at the highest temperature the fabric can withstand. Follow the instructions on the dosing label as you add some pre-treatment stain remover into your washing machine to help clear any remaining stain spots.
There you have it; your superglue stain should be completely gone. If not, repeat from step 3 above until you are completely satisfied. However, you need to be careful not to heat dry the garment unless you are completely satisfied that the super glue stain is gone. Heat drying the garment may risk setting the superglue into the garment’s fibers making the stain permanent.
While removing super glue stains from clothing is not a walk in the park as compared to other types of glues, it is still doable. All you need is the right technique, materials, and some patience to get the job done. You don’t have to panic when your kids are working with super glue creating stuff here and there. Let them engage their creative minds while you are assured you have a way of cleaning up the messes that result thereafter.
We hope that you found this guide informative and educative. Continue checking our page for more tips and guides.