Superglue ("cyanoacrylate") is a brand that has turned into a generic term for all types of fast-drying and extremely strong adhesives, renowned for being able to glue anything from your finger to anything else, in an instant. There are various ways to remove superglue in unwanted places. Here are some solutions that might suit your needs right now.
Step
Method 1 of 7: Remove Super Glue from Skin
Step 1. First of all, try to peel off the glue layer first (but not on sensitive skin)
Sometimes, this step is enough to remove the glue marks. Do this with caution, and if you feel pain or see your skin starting to peel, stop immediately.
- Wait for the glue to dry and set before peeling off. Do not touch the glue that is still wet.
- Use clean nails or tongs to gently peel off the layer of glue from the edges. Discontinue if residual glue cannot peel off or causes pain.
Step 2. Soak the glue-affected area
Warm soapy water may loosen the glue from the skin. Fill a bowl with warm water and add about 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of mild soap. Soak the affected area for 30-60 seconds, then try to peel off the glue.
- If the glue doesn't come off right away, try using another finger, a spatula, or a spoon to help.
- You may need to try several times until the glue has peeled off.
- You can also use lemon juice instead of water, or a mixture made of lemon and water in equal proportions. The acid content in lemon juice can help loosen the glue layer.
Step 3. Try using mineral spirits
If you have sensitive skin, soak the affected area in mineral spirit, then try to loosen the glue from your skin. Repeat if the glue doesn't peel off.
Step 4. Try acetone
This method is best for tougher skin types (if you use this method, sensitive skin may become irritated or dry). But remember, never use acetone on an open wound.
- Soak the skin in warm, soapy water as soon as possible. This will soften or soften the glue. Adding a little vinegar can also help. Try removing the glue from your skin. If this doesn't work, rub your hands dry and move on to the next step.
- Use an acetone-based nail polish remover. This material must contain acetone, as acetone softens the cyanocrylate. Rub on the super glue. The dried glue should start to peel off. Do not use cotton, because cotton can cause a very strong reaction if it comes in contact with cyanocrylate (fumes or burns).
- Allow the glue-affected area to dry, then use nail sandpaper to remove the glue. Also be careful not to peel your skin. If the glue gets on a large area of skin on your hand, you can rub it off with a pumice stone that has been soaked in warm water.
- Let the glue peel off on its own. The glue will turn white, but it won't hurt you, and will eventually peel off on its own.
Step 5. Try using margarine
If you have sensitive skin, a small amount of lubricant (oil) may be more successful at peeling off the glue. Rub a little margarine on the glue-affected area, then repeat several times until the glue peels off gently.
If margarine is not available, olive oil can also be used. The oil will react with the glue and loosen the bond
Step 6. Use detergent
Mix liquid laundry soap (any brand) with warm water. If you intend to remove glue from a small area, such as your finger, cup of laundry soap mixed with hot water in a coffee cup will help.
Rub the mixture on the glue-affected skin area and soak the skin area in the mixture for about 20 minutes, to remove the thick layer of glue
Step 7. Use salt
A paste made of salt and water is abrasive enough to peel off a layer of glue. Put two tablespoons of salt in your hand.
- Add a little water to the salt, so that the texture turns into a paste.
- Rub the paste in your hand for 30 to 60 seconds.
- Wash a little.
- Keep scrubbing without adding water.
- Repeat until the salt runs out. Hopefully the glue will come off too.
Step 8. Use petroleum jelly. Wash your hands and the affected area with warm soapy water.
- Gently apply petroleum jelly to the glue-affected area.
- Scrub the area with a nail file for about 1 minute. Or, rub until you see the glue peeling off.
- Repeat. Then dry your hands.
Method 2 of 7: Remove Super Glue from Eyes
Step 1. Wash the sticky eyelids with warm water
Wet a very soft cloth in warm water and gently wash off the petals. Use gauze and be patient. After 1-4 days, the eyelids will eventually open naturally.
Do not try to open the eyelids forcibly. Let time do the healing it needs
Step 2. Let the tears flow freely once the superglue has stuck to the eyeball
The glue will eventually remove the protein from the eye after a few hours, and the tears will help wash it off. You can use warm water to wash your eyes, as long as it doesn't cause you or the patient pain.
You may experience double vision. Relax in a safe place, until the glue comes off and the eye is clean
Step 3. Visit a doctor
You should see a doctor if the glue is near or in the eye. The eye is a very vulnerable area and should be examined by a medical professional to ensure that there is no permanent damage. Explain what happened and have your eyes checked to make sure everything is back to normal.
Method 3 of 7: Remove Super Glue from Lips
Step 1. If your lips are stuck or glued together by super glue, this is not a trivial matter
Act quickly.
Step 2. Fill a bowl with warm water
Soak your lips in the water and dip them as deep as you can for a minute or two.
Step 3. Try allowing saliva to be produced in your mouth
Push the saliva from inside to your lips.
The saliva will help moisturize and soften the glue from inside the mouth while the warm water works from the outside
Step 4. Once the lips are completely wet, carefully open or exfoliate your lips
Don't pull it suddenly!
Open your lips from side to side while soaking them in warm water. Ideally, the lips will slowly part
Step 5. Eat and drink normally
Your saliva will eventually remove the sticky glue residue, but don't swallow it. Remove all remaining glue.
- Don't be afraid to swallow the liquid glue because once it comes into contact with the saliva, the glue should solidify immediately.
- The remaining glue should be gone within a day or two.
Method 4 of 7: Remove Super Glue from Smooth Surfaces (Wood, Metal and Stone)
Step 1. Try peeling the glue off the surface first
Use your fingertips or fingernails and see if the glue peels off easily. If not, continue with the next step.
- This step can be used on most objects with smooth surfaces such as wood, metal, and stone. Just don't use it on plastic or glass objects.
- Be sure to test the solution in a hidden place first to make sure it's safe, especially if you're using an abrasive or corrosive solution, such as acetone. If it is proven safe, you can use it.
Step 2. Soak the glue-affected area
Pour dish soap into warm water, then use it to wet a rag. Spread the rag over the glue layer and let it sit for a few hours.
- You may need to line the rag with a plastic bag to retain the moisture.
- Try peeling off the glue once it has softened.
Step 3. Use acetone nail polish remover
Peeling glue from a lacquered surface risks lifting or peeling the wood surface itself, so you should do it slowly. Strong acetone can also damage metal or stone objects if you're not careful.
- Dip a clean cloth in the acetone solution.
- Rub the wet part of the cloth into the glue-affected area. For small areas, place your finger behind the cloth and use it to direct in a circular motion. For larger stains, rotate the surface of the wider piece of fabric directly in contact with the stain.
- Use a rubber or silicone spatula to remove the glue residue. Hopefully the acetone will help lift the edges of the glue mark, and you can slide a spatula under the edges, still trying to clean it until all the glue has come off.
- Wash the glue-affected area with warm, soapy water to remove any remaining acetone. Then, polish the wooden object with beeswax (night) or olive oil.
Step 4. Use lemon juice
If acetone isn't available, or you want to use a less corrosive solution, consider using lemon juice. Apply lemon juice to the glue layer in the same way.
- Apply a small amount of lemon juice to the glue layer using an old toothbrush. Use a toothbrush to rub the lemon juice in a circular motion over the glue layer until it starts to peel off.
- In the same way, you may also be able to peel off the glue using rubbing alcohol.
Step 5. Try mineral oil
As long as the surface of the wood is not painted, the oil may peel off the glue. Wet a cloth with the oil and rub it over the glue stain, until the stain is lifted. Wash off the oil with warm soapy water, then polish the wood.
This method is very suitable for use on unpainted wood
Step 6. Sand the surface of the wood
In some instances, sanding the wood is the best option. Limit the glue-affected area by marking the surrounding area with adhesive, to protect it. Then sand the glue until it's completely gone. Restore the surface of the area that has been sanded with oil, polish, or paint, or whatever to bring the wood back to its original state.
Method 5 of 7: Remove Super Glue from Fabric Items
Step 1. Flush the cloth with cold water first
Rub the glue stain to remove as much of the glue as possible, just by rubbing it.
- In general, use your judgment with very soft fabrics, as rubbing or scraping can damage the fibers of the fabric.
- Pour a small amount of strong detergent into the water to make the solution more effective. About 2 tablespoons (30 ml) should be enough.
Step 2. Use acetone on natural fibrous fabrics
Wet a piece of cloth, clean an old toothbrush or cotton swab with acetone, then rub the glue stain to try to peel it off. Pry the glue out with a dull knife or a spatula. Then wash the cloth as usual. (You can also treat the stain beforehand, if you usually do this before washing).
- Do not use acetone on fabrics that contain an acetate or acetone mixture, as these will melt.
- Always test this method on a small area first before using it on all the glue-stained fabrics.
- Note that acetone can dull the color of the fabric on the glue-stained area.
Step 3. Take expensive cloths (clothes) to a laundry service
Better to be safe than sorry.
Method 6 of 7: Remove Super Glue from Plastic Items
Step 1. Try rubbing the stain and peeling off the layer of glue
Use your fingernail to try to lift the edges of the glue stain. Once you get to the edges of the stain, continue to peel off all layers of the stain. This method may require more effort, but it is the best approach.
You can also use a plastic spatula or plastic knife to scrape off the stain. Try to wet the glue stain. Make a warm, soapy water mixture
Step 2. Moisten the glue layer
Make a warm, soapy water solution with mild dish soap.
- Soak a cloth or tissue in soapy water, then wring it out until it's damp enough.
- Spread a cloth or tissue over the glue layer. Glue a layer of plastic wrap over a cloth or tissue to retain moisture. Leave it for a few hours. A damp cloth or paper towel will moisten the glue layer so that it softens.
- Use a cloth dampened in warm soapy water to remove as much of the glue as possible after a few hours. Keep rubbing the cloth until the glue sticks to the cloth.
Step 3. Use liquid alcohol
Keep in mind that this method may damage some items, so it's a good idea to test the safety first before proceeding.
- Moisten a cleaning cloth with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol).
- Rub the cloth against the glue layer to soften it.
- Peel off as much of the softened glue as possible.
- Use a clean cloth that has been moistened with soapy water to remove any excess glue.
- Clean the object with clean warm water. Let it dry.
Method 7 of 7: Remove Super Glue from Glass Objects
Step 1. Try to remove as much of the glue stain as possible using a sharp knife
The razor blade can be used without damaging the glass. If you manage to pull off the clumps of glue stains this way, simply wash off the residue with warm, soapy water, rinse, and let dry.
Step 2. Saturate the glue stain
If you can't peel off the glue, try soaking it in warm water and try again.
- Place the glass object in a bowl of warm soapy water. If this is not possible, simply dampen a cloth with warm soapy water and apply it to the glue surface.
- Tape a sheet of plastic wrap to cover the fabric. Leave it for an hour or two for the glue to soften. Then, peel off the softened glue with a knife or spatula.
- Alcohol, eucalyptus oil, or acetone can be used to remove any excess glue. Wash glass objects and re-gloss if necessary.
Tips
- Certain products, such as citrus cleaners, will remove glue from various surfaces. There are also commercial super glue remover products available in the market. Read the instructions for use to see what ingredients the stain remover can clean.
- Acetone can often be found in nail polish remover liquid. Check the label because not all nail polish contains acetone. However, if acetone is present in the material, you can use the nail polish to remove the glue.
- Focus on the edges of the superglue stain. You'll need to start at the edges in the exfoliating process, so moisturizing and lifting the edges is a priority to get rid of all the lumps.
Warning
- Acetone or spirits can dull colors, peel off image coatings and printouts, and harm other aspects of many materials. Always use these two liquids with caution and first try a little at a point where it is not easy to see.
- Think carefully before applying a tube or cap of super glue to your lips. The most common reason for the lips to stick together (sticky) is when people try to open the glue tube cover by biting or holding the lid with their mouth.
- Be aware that wearing cotton or wool clothing (especially gloves made from them) is not recommended when dealing with sinoacrylate products, as their contact can react with each other and release heat, which could potentially cause burns to the skin or even create flame.
