To remove super glue from plastic, try dabbing the glue with rubbing alcohol to soften it before peeling it off with your finger or a knife. For super glue that's stuck on a wooden, metal, or stone surface, rub lemon juice or acetone nail polish remover into it. Then, use a spatula or old toothbrush to remove the glue. If you spilled super glue on fabric, flush the fabric with warm water and then rub acetone into the stain before scraping it off with a knife. To get super glue off your skin, soak the glue in warm, soapy water for 30-60 seconds and then try peeling it off. To learn how to remove super glue from glass, scroll down!
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Super glue got its name for a reason. It's known for its versatility, as well as its long-lasting adhesive strength. But if it sticks to your fingers, hands, or anywhere else on your skin, you’ll want to remove it fast.
In the instance your DIY or craft project goes awry, we’ve got the ultimate guide to removing super glue from your skin.
1. Don’t Panic
If you’re anything like us, you’ve internalized a few urban legends you heard as a child about super glue, namely the one about its ability to glue your fingers or lips together forever. While it shouldn’t be anywhere near your lips (or eyes—more on that later), if you get some on your fingers, there is a way to remove it.
Now that you aren’t panicking, you also need to prepare to try a few glue removal methods, which could take some time. Be patient to keep your skin safe as you remove the glue. If the skin breaks, it’s best to seek medical help.
2. Wash Up
No matter how the crazy glue got there, whether during a DIY home improvement project or craft time with the kids, soak the sticky area in a bowl with warm water and hand soap for 30 to 60 seconds.
If you’re able to wash up before the glue hardens, you may be able to break the bond before it dries. To get any remaining residue off of your skin, rub some sugar or salt over the area to exfoliate the glue away.
3. Use Something Oily
Photo: New Africa / Adobe Stock
Greasy items can break down super glue’s strong cyanoacrylate bond. Dig around your kitchen for coconut oil or olive oil, or look in the bathroom for some petroleum jelly.
Massage the greasy substance onto your fingers, hands, or anywhere else you have crazy glue on your skin, softly pulling the stuck area away from whatever it is stuck to. You might need to reapply the oil a few times.
4. Try Acetone
Failing the above methods, acetone (the main ingredient in nail polish remover) is a go-to super glue solvent. Make sure your hands are clean and dry, and then proceed to dab an acetone-soaked cotton ball on the spot.
Use a craft stick to gently peel the glue away from the skin. Acetone is very dehydrating and can be irritating to some, so be sure to wash your hands after using it and apply a moisturizing hand lotion.
5. Wait It Out
Skin sloughs off over time, so if there’s just a small patch of super glue on your fingers that isn’t restricting your movement or ability, you could just wait it out. Some guitar players actually intentionally put super glue on their fingers to help create a buffer between their skin and the strings, just adding more as the skin flakes off.
6. Get Emergency Help When Needed
Photo: kalpis / Adobe Stock
There are a few instances when you should call 911 for medical assistance instead of trying to get super glue off your skin yourself.
Super glue emergency situations include:
You have swallowed super glue or glued your lips together, possibly ingesting some glue.
You have gotten super glue in your eyes or your eyelids are glued shut.
You have tried to remove the super glue but none of the above solutions have worked, or you have broken skin in the process.
To ensure you don’t get stuck a second time, wear gloves for your next super glue project. Whether you’re building a birdhouse or repairing tile for a budget bathroom remodel, keep safety in mind when handling crazy glue.
Don’t forget to always keep extra dish soap, oils, and acetone around in case things get out of control. Finally, if you’ve discovered that DIY home projects are more than you can handle alone, it might be time to call a local handyperson to help out.
You've fixed what you needed to, but now you've got super glue stuck to your fingers - here are 7 household items that help remove it.
Baking Soda & Coconut Oil
Mix equal parts coconut oil and baking soda and apply to skin. Soak the affected area for 10-15 minutes, and gently rub with your hands.
Margarine or Butter
Apply butter or margarine to the bonded area - as it softens, fingers will begin to peel apart from each other.
Olive Oil
Olive Oil is even great for working your super glued fingers loose. It might take a little longer, but if there’s nothing else around it’ll work all the same.
Lemon Juice
Lemon juice can work on affected skin and materials to loosen the hold of super glue. Rub onto skin with a cotton swab or with an old toothbrush onto material.
Peanut Butter
The oil content in peanut butter can breakdown the bond in super glue. Chunky peanut butter can even work as an abrasive to make the process easier.
Paint Thinners
Naturally a solvent, paint thinners can work to break down super glue and allow the stuck parts to work free.
Nail Polish Remover
Ensure your nail polish remover contains acetone. Acetone is the ingredient that will breakdown the adhesive agents of super glue.