It can happen that you stain your clothes with a sticky substance. It can be for example glue or a chewing gum, in general all adhesive substances are difficult to remove from the fabric. Fortunately, some common products, like dish soap or peanut butter, can help. Alternatively, you can use heat or cold.
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare the Fabric
Step 1. Stretch the garment
If you notice that you have stained your shirt, sweater or any other garment with a sticky substance, remove it immediately and lay it on a flat surface that can serve as a work base.
Do not wash the stained garment. Washing would fix the stain and removing it would become even more complicated. If you've already washed the garment because you didn't notice it was stained, removing the stain will take a little more effort
Step 2. Scrape the goo from the fabric
Try to remove it gently using an object with a flat, thin edge, such as a table knife or an old credit card. Try to peel off as much material as possible to make the next steps easier.
If the garment has already been laundered, the substance has probably penetrated the fibers of the fabric and you will not get good results
Step 3. Gather the tools you need to remove the stain
You will need a product that helps you dissolve the goo. You will also need a soft-bristled toothbrush to scrub the product into the stain. You can use an old toothbrush or an old cotton towel. After applying the product to the stain, you will need to wash the garment, so prepare the laundry detergent as well.
If you don't have a suitable toothbrush, you can use cotton balls
Step 4. Test the product on a small, hidden area of fabric
Before starting you should make sure that the selected product does not damage the fabric. Apply it to a small, inconspicuous area and make sure it doesn't stain the fabric. Some fabrics are more delicate than others, for example satin or silk, while others are more resistant, for example polyester or cotton.
If during the test you notice that the selected product has stained the fabric, choose another one. Do another try on a different corner of the garment to make sure it doesn't damage it
Method 2 of 4: Use a Product That Can Dissolve the Goo
Step 1. Choose a product that can dissolve the goo
You have a wide range of elements to choose from to make the fabric come back clean. Decide based on what you have available. Some useful products are alcohol-based, others oil-based. You will need to massage them into the stain to dissolve the goo. You can use the following products on any type of fabric. The most common you may have available include:
- Dish soap.
- Lubricant (such as WD-40).
- Alcohol disinfectant.
- Peanut butter.
- Vegetable oil.
- Nail polish remover that contains acetone.
- Goo-Gone or a similar product formulated to remove super glue.
Step 2. Rub a small amount of product onto the fabric
The dose required depends on the size of the stain, but in any case it is best to start with a small amount.
If you have chosen to use a liquid product, such as nail polish remover, soak a cotton ball and rub it on the stain
Step 3. Massage the product onto the fabric
Use your fingers or a soft-bristled toothbrush to massage the product into the garment until the goo dissolves or comes off. This may take 10-15 minutes; continue to massage and remove the pieces of sticky substance as they detach from the fabric.
Step 4. Scrape the fabric if needed
If the sticky substance has had time to penetrate deeply into the fibers, chances are you will need to scrub the fabric using a toothbrush (with soft bristles).
If the garment has been laundered, a toothbrush will almost certainly be needed to remove the sticky substance
Step 5. Wash the garment
After removing the sticky substance, you can wash the garment as usual.
Method 3 of 4: Using Heat
Step 1. Prepare the ironing board and iron
If the stained garment has already been washed, the heat can help you remove the goo. Set the iron on a high temperature and let it warm up. Disable the steam function.
Have a few sheets of kitchen paper handy
Step 2. Prepare the garment
Lay it out on the ironing board with the stained side facing up. Cover the stain with two sheets of kitchen paper. The goo needs to be completely covered, so if the stain is large, use a few extra paper towels.
This method removes sticky substances, such as adhesive glue, even after the garment has been washed
Step 3. Place the iron on the stain
Hold the iron and press it against the absorbent paper sheets that cover the sticky substance. Hold the iron still on the stain for 5-10 seconds - the heat will melt the glue, so you should be able to remove it easily.
Some fabrics withstand high temperatures well, others are likely to burn easily (for example acetate or polyester). The paper should protect the fabric, but be cautious and switch methods if you suspect it is burning
Step 4. Move the iron and scrape the fabric
After 5-10 seconds, the goo should have dissolved, so you should be able to scrape it off. Use an object with a flat, thin side, such as an old credit card. Alternatively, you can use your nails.
Step 5. Repeat until the stain is gone
You may need to re-heat the goo with the iron before you can completely remove it. Hold the iron on the stain for another 5-10 seconds then move it, lift the paper and start scratching again. Repeat the same steps until the sticky substance has been completely removed.
Step 6. Wash the garment as usual
When the stain has disappeared, you can wash the garment as indicated on the washing instructions.
Method 4 of 4: Using Cold
Step 1. Place the garment in the freezer
Some sticky substances, such as glue or chewing gum, crumble when frozen. Place the garment in the freezer and wait until the substance is completely frozen. This method is particularly suitable for removing sticky materials that remain on the surface of the fabric, such as some types of glue or chewing gum, while it is not recommended if the sticky substance has entered the fibers.
- You can seal the garment in a freezer bag, but make sure the substance to be removed is not in contact with the plastic.
- You can freeze any type of tissue without causing damage to it.
Step 2. Scrape off the frozen goo
When it has become completely solid, remove the garment from the freezer and immediately start scraping the stain off. Use a thin, flat object, such as a butter knife or an old credit card. The frozen goo should crumble and peel off the fabric easily.
Alternatively, you can scrape off the substance with your fingernails
Step 3. Use another method if necessary
If any residue of the sticky substance remains, use one of the other methods to remove them. Try using heat or a product that can dissolve the last traces of the goo.
After the stain has disappeared, you can wash the garment as usual
Advice
- If you've tested all the methods and none of them worked, you can make the substance less sticky by sprinkling it with talcum powder.
- If you don't have an iron, you can heat up the goo with a hair dryer. Direct the jet of hot air on the stain for about a minute to dissolve the glue.
- If you have stained yourself with super glue you will need to use acetone to remove it from the fabric.
Warnings
- Be cautious when using acetone. Its fumes are potentially toxic, so work in a well-ventilated area. Also keep in mind that it can easily damage wooden surfaces.
- If the stained garment can only be dry cleaned, take it to the laundry rather than trying to remove the stain at home.
