As any arts-and-crafts fan or frequent DIY attempter can attest to, there are a million situations where superglue comes in handy. But while superglue like Gorilla Glue can be incredibly useful, it also can prove to be a mess when it gets on something other than the project you’re working on, like your hands. Knowing how to get superglue off your skin is no easy feat, either. It’s designed to stick, after all, and stick it does – even to your fingers.
So how can you remove superglue from skin? Turns out, people have put a lot of time into answer the question of how to get superglue off hands, how to dissolve superglue, and how to create the perfect superglue remover – so there’s no need to immediately panic. Here’s a closer look at how to get superglue off skin, and how to remove it from other surfaces like plastic, too. First step: take a deep breath – you’re going to get through this! (Also worth noting: if you’ve got the superglue on your eyes, mouth, nose, ears, or face, or if your child has, seek medical attention – it’s a very strong adhesive and it can be dangerous, so err on the side of caution.)
What Removes Superglue?
This depends on where the glue ended up. Acetone or rubbing alcohol can break down superglue, but it can be harsh on skin, so it should be used with caution. Oil can also help loosen the glue, which is why some experts suggest trying butter, vegetable oil or cooking oils, coconut oil, peanut butter, or mayonnaise. There are also superglue remover products that are specially designed to remove the sticky stuff; it may be smart to keep this around if you use superglue often.
How to Remove Superglue From Skin
As anyone who’s ever gotten Gorilla Glue on their fingers knows, it can be a (literal) pain trying to get superglue off skin. The first thing to try to remove superglue from skin is to soak the area in warm, soapy water, which can be especially useful if the glue isn’t completely dry yet. Then, gently massage the area until the glue softens.
If the warm, soapy water isn’t working to get the superglue off hands or skin, you can try butter or oils on your skin – massaging them into the skin to dissolve the bond.
If you’re unable to carefully remove the superglue from your skin, you may want to seek medical attention before trying any more aggressive measures of removing the glue. You definitely don’t want to tear or damage your skin, so proceed with caution, and don’t be afraid to get medical aid if you need it.
How to Remove Superglue From Plastic
Superglue is a great way to reassemble broken or cracked plastic, but if you accidentally get glue on the wrong area, you might be concerned about how to get it off. If the item with the hardened glue can go into the sink, put a couple drops of dish soap into hot water and submerge the item to soak for 10 to 15 minutes. Once the plastic item has soaked in the hot, soapy water, scrape off the remaining residue using an old credit card or plastic scraper, suggests Vera Peterson, president of Molly Maid.
You can try blotting the glue with nail-polish remover or acetone. (You may want to test this on a small patch first, and wash the area after to remove the chemicals.)
“You can also try a little peanut butter on the spot, and let it remain long enough to soften the residue,” Peterson tells POPSUGAR. “Clean up the glue and the peanut butter using a clean rag. Mayonnaise, canola oil, and other cooking oils could work if you don’t have any peanut butter on hand.” Turns out the classic sandwich spread has uses beyond just being delicious.
How to Get Superglue Off Glass
For hard surfaces like glass, Peterson recommends soaking a paper towel in room-temperature rubbing alcohol, then laying it over the sticky residue for about five to 10 minutes. “This will soften the residue so you can scrape it away with a credit card or plastic scraper,” she says.