How to get nail glue off fabric

Glue stains can range in difficulty when attempting to remove them from clothes and other fabrics. Some, such as washable liquid school glue, usually come off pretty easily. But others, including commercial adhesives, nail glue, and sticker residue, are tougher adhesives to remove due to their longer-lasting composition.

Here are seven types of glue stains and what it takes to remove these adhesives from clothing and carpet.

Tip

Most of the time, glues and adhesives can be removed from washable clothes and carpet. But if any type of glue lands on dry clean-only clothing, head to a professional dry cleaner and point out the stain to get the best results.

Materials

Commercial Adhesives

• Freezer or ice cubes
• Solvent or stain remover
• Heavy-duty laundry detergent

• Acetone-based nail polish remover
• Cotton swabs
• Stain remover or heavy-duty laundry detergent
• Water (for carpet)
• Liquid dishwashing detergent (for carpet)
• Distilled white vinegar (for carpet)
• White cloth, paper towel or sponge (for carpet)

Glitter Glue

• Cold water
• Oxygen-based bleach
• Regular laundry detergent
• White cloth, paper towel, or sponge (for carpet)

Hot Glue

• Goo Gone or acetone
• Regular laundry detergent
• Cotton swab
• White cloth
• Ice cubes in a plastic bag (for carpet)

Rubber Cement

• Stain remover or heavy-duty laundry detergent
• Distilled white vinegar (for carpet)
• Liquid dishwashing detergent (for carpet)
• Clean cloth (for carpet)

Super Glue

• Acetone-based fingernail polish remover
• Cotton swabs
• Heavy-duty laundry detergent
• Warm water (for carpet)
• Liquid dishwashing detergent (for carpet)
• Distilled white vinegar (for carpet)

White School Glue

• Cold, running water
• Regular laundry detergent
• Paper towels

How to Remove Commercial Adhesives

Commercial adhesives, sometimes called construction adhesives, can be very difficult to remove from clothes or other material. Consider buying an adhesive remover at the same time you purchase the adhesive.

Warning

Always test any solvents or stain remover on a hidden area of the clothing or carpet before using. It's best to check the item is colorfast before using it.

Click Play to Learn How to Quickly Remove Glue and Adhesive Stains

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1. Let Adhesive Dry

   Allow the adhesive to dry on the fabric or carpet before attempting to remove it. Do not try to wipe it off before it has fully dried. Wiping wet adhesive will only drive the adhesive deeper into the fibers.

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2. Remove Any Excess Glue

   Use the edge of a dull knife or plastic scraper to lift away any excessive globs of glue, and then let the area dry.

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3. Freeze the Affected Area

   Place the fabric in the freezer for an hour. Once the glue is frozen solid, you can usually break most of it off the fabric.

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4. Treat With Stain Remover

   If a stain remains, spot treat the area with a solvent or stain remover.

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Tip

If you need to remove commercial adhesive from carpet, try freezing the adhesive with some ice cubes in a plastic bag. Once frozen, try to break away the adhesive. Then, use the recommended adhesive solvent following the directions. If a stain remains, spot treat the area with a solvent or stain remover.

How to Remove Nail Glue

Artificial nail glue is essentially the same chemical formula as super glue. The main ingredient is cyanoacrylate, an acrylic resin that cures almost instantly. When spills happen on fabrics and carpet, do not panic and do not wipe at the glue—you will only spread it around. Allow the glue to dry before attempting to remove it.

Warning

Certain fabrics cannot stand up to nail polish remover. Acetate, triacetate, and modacrylic fabric dissolve in fingernail polish remover, acetone, and paint thinner. Read the fiber content label first. If you use nail polish remover on these materials, it can cause holes that cannot be fixed. To remove nail glue from these fibers, consult a professional dry cleaner.

Project Metrics

• Working Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour, 10 minutes
  

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1. Test the Remover

   Dip a cotton swab in acetone-based nail polish remover (the more gentle ethyl acetate removers will not work). Test it on a small, inner seam to make sure the nail polish remover does not damage or discolor the fabric or carpet.

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2. Dab the Glue

   Working from the outside of the stain to the inside, dab the hardened glue with the swab. Let the swab sit on the glue for a minute or two.

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3. Scrape the Glue

   Use a dull kitchen knife to scrape away any loose glue. You might need to repeat this process several times as the glue is lifted.

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4. Wash the Garment

   When you feel all the glue is gone from washable fabrics, treat the area with a remover or a bit of heavy-duty laundry detergent (Tide or Persil) and launder according to fabric care label directions.

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5. Confirm the Stain Is Gone

   Check the stain before placing the garment in the dryer; you might need to retreat if the stain is still present. Drying on high heat will set the stain and make it impossible to remove.

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Tip

If you find a fingernail glue stain on a carpet, mix a solution of 1 cup warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent, and 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar, and wait for the glue to dry. Then, dip a clean white cloth, paper towel, or sponge in the solution, and give the area a quick scrub. Blot with a clean cloth dipped in plain water to rinse, and then let the stained area air-dry.

How to Remove Glitter Glue

Glitter glue is a combination product, joining simple white school glue with dyes and glitter, which can make stains even harder to eliminate.

Project Metrics

• Working Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours

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1. Remove Excess Glue

   If the glue is dry, use a dull knife or the edge of a plastic credit card to remove as much of the dried glue as possible. Then, treat following the next steps, which are used for wet glue.

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2. Soak With Cold Water

   Start by flooding the area with cold water. White glue is a protein stain, and hot water can cook the protein and make it more difficult to remove. 

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3. Create a Bleach Solution

   Next, mix a solution of oxygen-based bleach (such OxiClean, Nellie's All Natural Oxygen Brightener, or ECOS OxoBrite) and cool water, following package directions.

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4. Let Garment Soak

   Completely submerge the garment, and allow it to soak for at least eight hours. This step will remove the dye component.

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5. Wash or Repeat Stain Removal Steps

   If, after soaking, the stain is gone, wash as usual. If it remains, mix a fresh solution and repeat. 

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Tip

If glitter glue was found stuck to a carpet, use a tool with a dull edge to lift away as much of the glue stain as possible. Then, mix a solution of oxygen bleach and warm water. Saturate the stained area, and allow the solution to work for at least one hour. After an hour, wipe away with a clean dry cloth. If dye remains, repeat with a fresh solution of oxygen bleach. Once all of the dye is gone, sponge with plain water and allow the carpet to air-dry.

How to Remove Hot Glue

Hot glue guns and sticks are a crafter's best friend. However, hot glue resin and fabric do not mix. 

Project Metrics

• Working Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour to overnight (depends on the method chosen)
  

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1. Place Garment in Freezer

   If you have some time, placing the glue-stained fabric in the freezer overnight will make the hot glue brittle enough to scrape away with a dull-edged tool or your fingernail. Goo Gone, a commercial cleaner, can be used to remove any remaining residue.

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2. Apply Acetone to the Stain

   If you have less time, acetone can be used to remove the glue. Dip a cotton swab in the acetone. Working from the outside of the glue stain toward the inside, keep dabbing as the glue transfers from your garment to the cotton swab. Use a clean swab as the glue is transferred, and keep working until all traces of the glue are gone.

   Warning

   Keep in mind that acetone or fingernail polish remover cannot be used on acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic because the acetone will dissolve those fabrics. Take a stained garment containing these materials to a professional dry cleaner.

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3. Wash the Garment

   After removing the glue, wash the garment as usual.

   Tip

   If hot glue gets on your carpet, the easiest removal method is to freeze the glue by placing a plastic bag filled with ice cubes over it. Once it hardens, it will break off the carpet fibers. You can use a dull kitchen knife to scrape it off. You can also use acetone on a carpet if the ice-cube method does not work.

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How to Remove Rubber Cement

Rubber cement is great for crafting but can leave a stain on clothes. Like other adhesives, do not rub the stain because it pushes the glue deeper into the fabric.

Project Metrics

• Working Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour 
  

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1. Lift Away Excess Cement

   Use a tool with a dull edge to lift away as much of the rubber cement as possible.

   The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

2. Mix a Stain-Removing Solution

   Mix a solution of 1 cup warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent, and 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar.

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3. Scrub the Affected Area

   Dip a clean cloth in the solution, and give the area a quick scrub.

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4. Rinse the Carpet

   Rinse with a clean cloth dipped in plain water.

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5. Air-Dry

   All the carpet to air-dry, and repeat steps if needed.

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Tip

To remove rubber cement from fabric, scrape off as much as possible from the surface using a dull edge. Treat the area with a stain remover or a bit of heavy-duty laundry detergent. Then, wash in the hottest water approved for the fabric.

How to Remove Super Glue

Super glue is similar to nail glue, so its stain removal instructions are similar. Because this method involves acetone, remember certain fabrics made from acetate, triacetate, or modacrylic fabrics can dissolve in fingernail polish remover (acetone) and paint thinner. Even if the clothes are only an acetate blend, a hole will appear and cannot be repaired. Consult a professional dry cleaner for removing stains from any of these fabrics. 

Project Metrics

• Working Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 1 hour
  

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1. Let Glue Dry

   Allow the glue to dry completely before attempting to remove it from fabric.

   The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

2. Perform a Color Test

   Dip a cotton swab in acetone-based nail polish remover, and rub the swab on an inner seam to make sure the remover does not damage or discolor the fabric.

   The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

3. Dab Stain With Solution

   To keep the stain from spreading, work from the outside of the stain to the inside dabbing the spot with the swab. Use a clean swab as the glue is transferred. You might need to repeat this process on both sides of the fabric.

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4. Rinse and Wash as Usual

   When you the glue is removed, rub a bit of heavy-duty laundry detergent into the stain, and wash as usual.​ Check the stain before placing the garment in the dryer; you might need to repeat the cleaning steps. High heat from the dryer will set the stain and make it impossible to remove.

   Tip

   Super glue stuck on a carpet can be removed with the same acetone and cotton swab cleaning method for fabrics. After the glue is gone, mix a solution of 1 cup warm water, 1 teaspoon liquid dishwashing detergent, and 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar. Give the area a quick scrub with the solution. Rinse and allow to air-dry.

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How to Remove White School Glue

White school glue is a staple for every kid and crafter. Fortunately, the stains are fairly easy to remove. White glue is a protein stain that can usually be removed by rinsing in cold water before washing. The stains are easiest to remove if treated while fresh.

Project Metrics

• Working Time: 10 minutes
• Total Time: 10 to 30 minutes, depends if the stain is dry

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

1. Scrape Off Excess Glue

   If the glue is dry, use a dull knife or the edge of a plastic credit card to remove the dried glue, and follow the steps for removing wet glue.

   The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

2. Flood With Cold Water

   Start by flooding the area with cold water from the back of the fabric to force out the glue. 

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3. Wash the Fabric

   Rinse and wash the fabric as usual.

   Tip

   You can use a very similar method to remove white glue stains from carpet. Blot the stain with a wet sponge dipped in plain water, and then absorb the excess moisture with paper towels. Allow to air-dry.

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For all of these glue stains, try repeating the cleaning method if the stain persists. Once the stain is gone, wash the garment as you normally would. Do not place the garment in the dryer until the stain is completely gone.

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