The superglue (instant glue based on cyanoacrylate) takes its name from the English term "Super glue", the commercial name of a specific product that is now used to indicate those types of glue that dry quickly; it is famous for attaching anything from fingers to objects of any material in seconds. Fortunately, there are several methods to remove it from any type of surface.
Steps
Part 1 of 7: Remove the Super Glue from the Skin
Step 1. Try to peel it off with your hands first (avoid doing this if you have sensitive skin)
Sometimes, this method may be enough to get rid of it, especially if it's only left on one finger and hasn't stuck two fingers together. However, proceed with caution and if you feel pain or notice that the skin is lifting, stop immediately.
- Wait for the glue to dry in a thin, compact layer before removing it; do not attempt this method if it is still sticky.
- Using a clean fingernail or tweezers, grab the edge of the dry glue and slowly peel it off the skin; stop if you see it resisting or causing pain.
Step 2. Wet it
Warm soapy water should be enough to loosen the glue from the skin. Fill a bowl with hot water and add 15ml of mild soap; soak the affected area for 30-60 seconds and then try to peel off the glue, which should now have softened a bit.
- If you don't get results, try scrubbing it with another finger, spatula, or spoon handle to try to lift it.
- Keep in mind that you may have to make several attempts before you succeed.
- You can also try replacing the water with lemon juice or a mixture of water and juice; lemon acid can "corrode" the glue.
Step 3. Use white spirit
If you have sensitive skin, wet the affected area with white spirit, then try to soften and peel the glue off the skin. Repeat if the glue doesn't come off.
Step 4. Use acetone
This method is best suited for those with more resilient skin - if yours is sensitive it may become irritated or dry. However, be careful never to apply acetone to an open wound.
- Soak the skin in hot soapy water as soon as possible, in order to soften the glue; adding a few drops of cold vinegar can help. Try to loosen the glue from the skin; if this doesn't work, pat the area dry and proceed to the next step.
- Use acetone-based nail polish remover. This ingredient is valuable for your purpose, as it can soften the cyanoacrylate; rub it on the super glue, which should start to peel off. Do not use a cotton swab, as it can have a very violent reaction with the cyanoacrylate (it can emit smoke and catch fire).
- Let the skin dry and then use a nail file to remove the glue, but be careful not to scrape the epidermis as well; if you have a large amount of glue on your hands, you can scrub them with a pumice stone left to soak in hot water.
- Let it come off on its own; the glue eventually turns white, but it shouldn't cause pain and it can also loosen without any kind of intervention being needed.
Step 5. Try margarine
If you have sensitive skin, a greasy product may prove more effective; Rub the margarine into the affected area several times, until you can gently loosen the glue.
If you don't have this product available, olive oil is also fine; the fat reacts with the glue and loosens its bond
Step 6. Use a laundry detergent
Mix some (of any brand) with very hot water; if you have to remove the glue from a small area, such as your fingers, 60ml of detergent with a cup of water should be sufficient.
Rub and wet the leather for about 20 minutes to loosen the thick layer of glue
Step 7. Use the salt
You can make a mixture of salt and water that is abrasive enough to scrape off the glue. Put two tablespoons (30g) of salt on your hands.
- Add a little water to get a pasty consistency;
- Then rub the dough on your hands for about 30-60 seconds;
- Rinse to remove the substance;
- Rub again without adding water.
- Repeat until you have completely eliminated the salt; at this point the glue should also come off.
Step 8. Use petroleum jelly
Wash your hands and the area where you need to remove the glue with hot soapy water.
- Apply a generous amount of petroleum jelly to the affected skin;
- Rub with a file for about a minute or in any case until you see that the glue starts to come off;
- Repeat and dry your hands when finished.
Part 2 of 7: Remove the super glue from the eyes
Step 1. Wet the lids that have glued together with warm water
Dip a very soft cloth in warm water and gently wet your eyes, making sure to wash them well; then apply gauze and be patient. After 1-4 days, the eyelids should open on their own.
Don't try to open your eyes by forcing them, you have to give them time to heal
Step 2. Let the tears flow freely if the super glue has made contact with the eyeball
The glue eventually peels off the eye proteins within hours, and the tears can help rinse it off. You can safely use warm water to wash your eyes, as long as it doesn't make you uncomfortable.
You may complain of double vision; relax in a safe place until the glue comes off and the eye returns perfectly to normal
Step 3. Go to the doctor
If the glue gets into the eyes or sticks to the surrounding areas, it is strongly recommended to consult an ophthalmologist; the eyes are very delicate organs and you should have a professional check up to make sure you don't suffer any long-term damage. Describe what happened and ask him to check his eyes carefully, so that you can reassure yourself that everything is back to normal.
Part 3 of 7: Remove the Super Glue from the Lips
Step 1. Act quickly
If the lips have stuck together due to the super glue, it is not a very pleasant situation.
Step 2. Fill a bowl with hot water
Dip your lips and make sure to soak as much surface as possible; wait a minute or two.
Step 3. Try to accumulate saliva in your mouth
Push it against your lips from the inside.
The saliva should soften and moisturize the glue a little from the inside of the mouth, while the hot water acts from the outside
Step 4. Try to gently open your lips
Wait until the entire surface is well moistened before trying this solution and don't pull! Proceed with caution, as this technique could cause more damage to the lips.
Try parting your lips from side to side while keeping them submerged in hot water; theoretically, they should start opening up
Step 5. Eat and drink as usual
Saliva helps get rid of any residual adhesive, but don't ingest it; when a few pieces of glue come off, you have to throw them away.
- You don't have to worry about swallowing the liquid adhesive, as it should become solid as soon as it comes into contact with saliva.
- The rest of the glue should come off within a day or two.
Part 4 of 7: Remove Super Glue from Smooth Surfaces (Wood, Metal, Stone)
Step 1. First, try to scratch it off
Use your fingernail or the tip of a finger and see if it comes off easily; if not, proceed to the next step.
- These techniques are effective for most smooth surfaces, including wood, metal and stone; it is not good for glass or plastic.
- Always test in a hidden corner of the material before proceeding to make sure you are not causing damage, especially if you are using an abrasive or corrosive product, such as acetone; if the surface does not deteriorate, you can try this method.
Step 2. Wet the glued area
Add some liquid dish soap to some warm water and dip a cloth into the solution. place the rag on the glue and leave it to act for several hours.
- You can cover the cloth with cling film to retain moisture.
- When the glue has softened, try to scrape it off once more.
Step 3. Try an acetone-based solvent
If you try to remove the glue on a wood-coated surface, you risk lifting the finish as well, so you must act very carefully. If you're not careful, aggressive acetone can ruin some stone and metal objects as well.
- Wet a clean cloth with acetone or nail polish. you can use a toothbrush for this procedure - just make sure you don't use the same brush to brush your teeth.
- Rub the wet part of the rag over the glue; if you need to treat a small area, wrap the cloth around your finger and make circular motions. If you need to work on larger surfaces, change the wet area of the cloth as it comes into contact with the stain.
- Use a rubber or silicone spatula to lift the glue. Thankfully, the acetone helps loosen the edges, so you can slide the putty knife under the adhesive layer and keep pushing until you have all the stain removed.
- When finished, wash the area with warm soapy water to get rid of the acetone. if you are treating a piece of furniture, you can polish it with olive oil or beeswax.
Step 4. Use lemon juice
If you don't have acetone or nail polish remover available or you prefer to use a slightly less corrosive solution, this is a good alternative; apply lemon juice following the same procedure.
- Smear a small amount of lemon juice using an old toothbrush that you only use for housework. Rub the juice-soaked bristles in circular motions all over the stain until the glue begins to rise.
- You can use denatured alcohol in the same way.
Step 5. Try mineral oil
It can be effective, as long as you don't use it on painted surfaces. Wet a cloth with the oil and rub it on the glue until it starts to rise; when finished, rinse the area with warm soapy water and polish it to finish the job.
This technique is particularly effective on unpainted wood surfaces
Step 6. Sand the glue off the wood
In some situations, this may be the best technique. Put duct tape around the glue spot to protect the surrounding area and smooth the surface until you can peel off the adhesive; finally restores the area with oil, impregnating or paint, according to the type of finish that was originally present.
Part 5 of 7: Remove the Super Glue from the Fabric
Step 1. First of all, wash the garment in hot water
Rub the stain and try to remove as much glue as possible with the mechanical action alone.
- Obviously, use common sense when dealing with particularly delicate fabrics, as too aggressive action could damage the fibers.
- Add a little strong liquid detergent to the water to create a more effective solution; 30 ml should be sufficient.
Step 2. Use acetone on natural fabrics
Dampen a clean cloth or an old toothbrush with acetone and rub it on the glue to try to lift it; scrape it with a dull knife or putty knife and then wash the garment as usual (you can also pre-treat the stain if this is a normal procedure before washing).
- Do not apply acetone on clothes that contain acetate or derivatives of this substance, otherwise they can dissolve.
- Always do a little test on a hidden spot before using it on any type of clothing.
- Keep in mind that acetone can dull the color of the fibers that are under the glue stain.
Step 3. Take expensive clothes to a dry cleaner
If it is a particularly important dress or if you are unable to remove the glue yourself, contact a professional: it is always better to be safe than sorry.
Part 6 of 7: Remove the Super Glue from the Plastic
Step 1. Try scrubbing or rolling the glue layer on itself
Use a fingernail to try to lift the edge of the stain; when you manage to lift it slightly, keep working to get the glue to roll up on itself and peel it off the object. It might be quite challenging, but sometimes it's the best approach.
You can also use a plastic spatula or knife to scrape it without scratching the plastic
Step 2. Moisten the glue
Make a solution of hot soapy water and use a mild dish soap.
- Wet a cloth or kitchen paper with the solution until it is soaked and then squeeze it to remove excess moisture.
- Place the cloth or paper on the glue spot; cover it with a layer of cling film to create a humid microclimate and wait for several hours; the wet cloth should moisten the glue and make it considerably softer.
- After a few hours, use a warm, soapy cloth to remove as much glue as possible; tap it until it sticks to the cloth.
Step 3. Use denatured alcohol
Be careful, as this method could damage some surfaces; it is therefore better to do a little test in a corner before proceeding.
- Wet a soft, clean cloth with isopropyl alcohol;
- Dab the cloth on the glue stain to soften it;
- Grab the raised, soft adhesive layer to remove as much of it as possible;
- Use another cloth dipped in soapy water to remove the last residue;
- Finally, wash with warm water and let it dry.
Part 7 of 7: Remove the super glue from the glass
Step 1. Try to remove as much glue as possible with a sharp blade
That of a razor should be suitable and shouldn't scratch the glass at the same time. If you can remove the lump of adhesive this way, you can simply get rid of the last residue with warm soapy water and then let it dry.
Step 2. Soak the stain
If you are unable to remove the glue with this technique, dip it in hot water and try again.
- Put the glass object in a bowl filled with hot soapy water; if this is not possible, simply wet a cloth with the cleaning solution and place it on top of the sticky stain.
- Wrap the cloth with cling film and secure it with adhesive tape; let it sit for an hour or two to soak the glue, after which you can scrape it with a blade or spatula.
- When finished, you can also use denatured alcohol, eucalyptus oil, or acetone to get rid of the last residue; wash the glass and polish it if necessary.
Advice
- Some "private label" products, such as citrus-based detergents, are able to remove superglue from different types of surfaces; however, there are also specific products to eliminate superglue, which you can find in some supermarkets. Read the instructions to know what material they can be used on.
- Many nail polish removers contain acetone. However, you have to check the label, as this substance is not always present; if it appears in the ingredients list, you can use that solvent to remove the glue.
- Focus especially on the edges of the glue stain. Your goal is to grab them to begin the removal process, so the priority is to moisten and lift them to get rid of the glue clump.
Warnings
- Acetone or denatured alcohol can dull colors, detach decals and prints, as well as damage the characteristics of many materials; always proceed with great caution and always test in a hidden corner before dealing with the rest.
- Think very carefully before putting the tube in your mouth or grabbing the superglue cap with your lips. This is a major cause of accidents - many people try to unlock the cork by biting it or holding it in their mouth.
- Be aware that it is not recommended to wear cotton or wool clothing (especially gloves made of these materials) when working with cyanoacrylate products, as they can interact and release a lot of heat, with the risk of burning the skin or even triggering of the flames.
