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Gunky glue be gone!

How to get glue off fabric: A tailor-made guide

Knowing how to get glue off fabric can save your clothes and furniture. It’s easier than you think, and you probably already have what you need to do it!

2 min read

If some super glue winds up on your clothes, knowing how to get glue off fabric will help you undo the mess. Regardless of how the glue got there, a little prep and the right tools will save the day. Check out our tips to keep your fabrics looking great and your DIY projects moving forward.

      How to get glue off fabric: The usual suspects

      A little skill can go a long way, because the wrong actions will just make the damage worse. Removing glue from most fabrics is easy when you take the correct steps and know what to do. Here’s how to do it right for the most common types of glue.

      How to remove super glue from fabric

      Super glues are everywhere because they are so easy to use and can be applied to most surfaces. That said, they are also responsible for many spills and stains on our fabrics. Don’t fret, you can remove that stain as quickly as it got there.

      To remove adhesives from fabric, it is vital that you let the glue dry completely: touching it earlier will only spread the mess. Once it has dried, use a butter knife or something similar and gently pry away as much of the spilled glue as you can. Next, soak the fabric in warm water, then dab the glue with a wet sponge to assist in lifting it off the fabric.

      If this doesn’t take care of it, you can apply acetone with a cotton swab, starting at the center of the stain and moving it outwards towards the edge. Acetone can be found in most nail polish removers. It is key not to saturate the fabric with acetone, as this can lead to discolouration. Then, gently wipe away the softened glue with a cloth. Do not rub the glue aggressively, as it may take a few minutes to lift off the fabric.

      You can repeat this process as necessary, but be weary to not apply too much acetone. Once the fabric is clean, rub a quality laundry detergent on the affected area, let it soak in, and toss the item in the laundry as normal. After washing, give your item one last look before putting it in the dryer, as the heat can harden any remaining glue.

      How to get hot glue off fabric

      Hot glue is a common crafting tool. While versatile, it can also leave stains and residue in some unwanted places. Luckily, you can remove hot glue in a few simple steps:

      1. Freeze it. Place the fabric in your freezer overnight. This ensures that the spilled glue hardens and does not continue to spread. Once you take it out, you should be able to peel the frozen glue off your fabric. Use a dull edge or a finger to prevent tearing the fabric itself.
      2. Clean it. If freezing the glue doesn’t work, you have other options. The acetone method outlined above also works well to remove hot glue from fabric. When you are satisfied the glue has been removed, follow your standard laundry process.

      What removes glue from fabric? Prevention is key!

      Fabric glue is great! It allows you to repair many items and helps keeping your clothes in the closet rather than  the trash. But accidents happen, and you may find yourself with a little more glue on your clothes than you anticipated. This can leave unsightly stains, so selecting the best glue for the job is critical!

      Turning to a trusted glue manufacturer’s product, like LePage Ultra Gel Control Super Glue, is your best bet. Not only does this glue provide invisible repairs to your fabrics,but  it has a unique no-drip gel formula and is applied via an easy-to-use squeeze grip that prevents spills in the first place! 

      Related Products

      • packshot front lepage lepage super glue gel multi use 2ml tube 4
        LePage Super Glue Gel Tubes

        Designed for fixing breaks around the house, LePage Super Glue Gel has proven superior performance over ordinary super glues thanks to a patented additive.

      • lepage super glue ultra gel control 4ml bottle
        LePage Super Glue Ultra Gel Control

        Designed for fixing breaks around the house, LePage Super Glue Ultra Gel Control is a rubber-toughened instant adhesive that resists impact, shock, vibration, and temperature extremes.

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