Damn, did you just run out of super glue on your shirt? Fortunately, it can be removed from the fabrics. The difficulty of the operation depends on the extent of the damage. Start by letting the glue dry, then scrape it off. If the damage persists, you will have to switch to acetone and finish with a good wash.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Scrape off the glue
Step 1. Entrust delicate fabrics to a professional laundry service
Scraping, using acetone and washing are methods that work in many cases, but could irreparably damage delicate fabrics. Fortunately, laundries use products that remove glue from fabric without damaging it.
- Check the label. If you are specified to dry clean, take the garment to the laundry.
- Delicate fabrics include veil-like fabrics, lace and silk.
Step 2. Let the glue dry by itself
Wait patiently for the glue to dry. If you try to remove the glue while it is still wet, it will only make things worse. Do not try to speed up the drying process by putting the garment in the dryer: the stain would fix irreversibly.
Step 3. If you are in a hurry, immerse the affected area in ice water
The glue should take 15 to 20 minutes to dry. If you can't wait that long, fill a bowl with enough ice and water to cool it. Soak the stained part for a few seconds, then take it out. The frozen water will have hardened the glue.
Step 4. Scrape off as much glue as possible
Place the garment on a hard surface and scrape off the glue with your fingernail or the edge of a spoon. You won't remove all of the glue, but you should be able to get rid of the larger pieces.
If the fabric is loosely woven, such as knit or muslin, skip this step or you will risk tearing it
Step 5. Check the damaged area and evaluate whether to continue
Sometimes just scrape off the glue. If there are still pieces of glue stuck on the fabric, you will need to move on to the next step, which is to treat the stain with acetone.
Part 2 of 3: Treating the Glue with Acetone
Step 1. Test the reaction of the fabric to acetone by first treating a small, inconspicuous area
Soak a cotton ball with acetone and treat an inconspicuous part of the garment, such as the hem or a seam. Wait for a few seconds, then remove the swab.
- If you see that the fabric remains intact and does not discolour, you can proceed.
- If you notice that the fabric loses color or frays, stop the operation, wash with water and take the garment to the dry cleaners.
Step 2. Press a cotton ball dipped in acetone onto the stain
Soak a wad of acetone and press it against the stain, making sure to preserve the other parts of the garment. This way you can reduce the risk of further damage.
You can also use a piece of white cloth instead of cotton. Do not use colored or patterned fabrics
Step 3. Wait for the glue to soften, then remove the cotton ball
Check the glue often. The times for it to soften depend on the amount of glue, its chemical composition, the type of fabric and so on; this may take 3 to 15 minutes.
Step 4. Remove the softened glue
Scrape off the glue using a fingernail or the edge of a spoon again. You may not be able to get rid of all the glue, but that's okay - the secret to removing superglue without damaging the fabrics is to do it calmly.
Do not use your nails if they are painted. The acetone with which you treated the fabric could dissolve the enamel, staining the garment
Step 5. Repeat the acetone step, if necessary
Although effective, acetone can only remove the surface layer of glue, which means that you will probably have to repeat the operation. If you still see large chunks of glue, soak another cotton ball and repeat the process.
Part 3 of 3: Wash the Garment
Step 1. Apply a clothing stain remover
After you have removed most of the stain, apply a stain remover on the garment. Rub the product into the stain, then rinse with cold water.
Step 2. Wash the garment according to the washing program indicated on the label
This will remove any residue. Most clothes can be washed in warm or cold water. If the label has been removed, use cold water and a program for delicate clothes.
If you don't have time to do laundry, wash the affected area with soap and cold water. Rinse and dry by applying pressure with a sponge towel
Step 3. If the stain persists, wash the garment a second time
If the stain is just hinted at, another spin in the washing machine may be enough to make it disappear. If, on the other hand, it is still evident, you will have to apply the acetone again.
If the stain persists, do not put the garment in the dryer. You can still let it air dry
Step 4. Dry the garment only when the stain has completely disappeared
The safest way to dry your garment is to leave it exposed to the air, but you could use the dryer if you are sure that the stain is gone. If you notice glue residues even after washing, do not use the dryer to prevent the stain from setting.
If there is any residue, proceed with washing again. You could also repeat the step with acetone or take the garment to the laundry
Advice
- You can use nail polish remover. Make sure it is transparent, as colored ones may stain your garment.
- If you don't have acetone, try lemon juice. Also try with a common nail polish remover.
- If in doubt, ask for advice at the dry cleaners.
