Super Glue - A Super Tool that can be a Super Headache

Many of us use the days in between finishing work and hopping-off on our long-awaited holiday to fix up all the bits and pieces around the house that have been calling out for our attention since December. Super glue is my secret weapon, I use it to fix almost everything from chipped vases and cracked tiles to broken chairs and furnishings.

Super glue is totally amazing, until you get some on your clothing or your favorite tablecloth, then it can be a super headache. Super glue bonds almost instantly so even if you act fast, chances are, the glue will have dried onto your fabric before you’ve had a chance to remove it. If super glue gets onto fabric try these tips for removal:

What You Will Need:
Folded square of paper towel or ear-bud
Acetone-based nail polish remover
Toothbrush
Very fine sand paper or emery board
Liquid laundry detergent
Washing machine
Lighter fluid (optional)


Removing the Glue:
Ensure that the glue is dry before attempting to remove.
Wet the paper towel square or ear-bud with acetone-based nail polish remover (make sure the nail polish remover is acetone-based or this will not work).
Test the fabric in a small, inconspicuous area to make sure the nail polish remover will not damage or discolor the material.
Dab the glue spot with the towel or ear-bud soaked with the nail polish remover, letting the towel or ear-bud sit on the glue for a minute or two.
Briskly rub the spot with the toothbrush until some glue flakes off.
Depending upon the amount of glue on the fabric, steps 4 and 5 may have to be repeated as super glue will come off in layers.
If the glue has soaked through to the opposite side of the fabric, you may have to repeat steps 4 and 5 for both sides of the material.
After repeating the dab and scrub procedure several times, if the spot remains, gently rub the spot with the very fine sand paper or emery board. Be careful not to rub too vigorously or you may damage or tear the fabric.
Pour a couple of drops of laundry detergent directly onto the area where the glue residue was and rub the detergent into the fabric using your thumb and forefinger.
Wash the fabric or garment in your washing machine as per the directions on the label.
When the wash cycle has finished, check the fabric carefully for any remaining stain. If the stain remains, DO NOT place it in the dryer, as the heat from the dryer will set the stain and it will be virtually impossible to remove.