If you have been working with gorilla glue and accidentally spilled it on your skin or clothes, you know how challenging it is to clean. Just like any other kind of waterproof glue, gorilla glue is a tough adhesive to remove, especially when it sticks to your fingers. And since it has a quick drying time, removing this strong adhesive can be a difficult task.
So how exactly do you get gorilla glue off skin and clothes? We have created a step-by-step guide to help you remove this adhesive from your skin and clothes using a few tried and tested methods. Let’s get started right now…
How to Get Gorilla Glue Off Skin
The Acetone Method
Step 1. Clean up the mess quickly
Before you get the glue off your skin, you should first clean up the mess. Gorilla glue is known to dry very quickly. It is, therefore, important to wipe up any spills before they dry. Use a paper towel or cloth to wipe up any accidental spills immediately. This is by far the most effective way of removing the glue.
Step 2. Wash the excess glue
Once you’ve wiped up the glue using a paper towel, you must wash the residue using cold, soapy water. Keep a supply of soapy water on hand while working so that you can wash the spilled glue quickly in case of accidents.
Step 3. Dissolve the glue
Once the remaining glue starts to dry, you will need a stronger solution than soapy water to remove the adhesive from your skin. One of the best methods is to use acetone. This is an inexpensive nail polish remover that you can find in most beauty or grocery stores. Just make sure the nail polish remover you buy does contain the ingredient acetone.
Step 4. Scrub hard
Now apply some acetone to your affected skin and let it dissolve before removing the residue glue. The best way to do this is by scrubbing your skin as hard as you can as though you’re exfoliating.
A good exfoliating solution is to mix 1 cup of sea salt in half a cup of coconut oil and 5 drops of your favorite essential oil in a glass bowl. Take a clean cloth and immerse it in this mixture before scrubbing it on your skin. You’ll soon find all the residue glue coming off your skin.
Notes: Glued Fingers
If your fingers have stuck together, don’t panic and never pull them apart forcefully. Removing gorilla glue from fingers can be a little more tricky and under no circumstances should you force them apart as this can cause a tear in your skin, which can lead to a permanent scar or stitching.
The best method is to soak your glued fingers in a bowl of acetone. This solution will slowly loosen the glue and help it come off your skin without causing any damage.
The Citrus Method
If you’re after a natural and chemical-free alternative to acetone, try the citrus method instead. Lemon has an acidic element that breaks down the glue on your skin or fingers. If applied immediately after an accident, the citrus method will work effectively as the glue will be less stubborn. Follow these easy and quick steps to get gorilla glue off your skin:
Step 1. Cut a lemon in half.
Step 2. Squeeze the lemon to get its juice out.
Step 3. Apply the lemon juice over the glued skin.
Step 4. If the first attempt doesn’t work, repeat the process.
Step 5. Wash your skin to remove the lemon juice residue.
Step 6. If your skin stings, run it over cold water.
Other Home-made Methods
You may also make your own glue-removing mixture using just 3 ingredients: distilled vinegar, liquid soap, and washing soda. These ingredients are also found in gorilla glue and can effectively get the glue off the skin. Just follow these quick steps to make your own solution:
Step 1.
Mix 10% washing soda with 2% liquid soap in 100% water. You may use your bathroom or kitchen basin to do this. Make sure you stir the solution until it bubbles before submerging your hands in the mixture.
Step 2.
Whilst submerging your hands in the mixture, rub them together until the gorilla glue gets loosened.
Step 3.
Lastly, dry your hands thoroughly.
Another home-made method is with dish soap and water minus the soda and vinegar. Fill the basin with 2 cups of warm water and pour a tablespoon of dish soap in the water. Soak your skin into the water and leave it for 10 minutes. Empty the basin and refill it using soap and water before repeating the process once again. This method should loosen the glue from your skin.
You can also try the salt and sugar method in case you don’t get the desired results with the previous home-made solutions. In a small glass bowl, mix one spoonful of salt with one tablespoon of sugar in just enough water to dissolve them both.
Apply the mixture to your glued skin and rub it on your fingers. The rough texture of the sugar and salt crystals will wear away the gorilla glue from your skin.
You can also use this homemade mixture to remove glue out of the carpet without hassles.
As a Last Resort, Wait for it to Fall Off Naturally
Since skin naturally regenerates, it can repair itself over time. If the glued area on your skin isn’t too big, you may simply wait for it to flake off on its own after one week or so. Just watch for any cracking around the affected skin.
This is a good option for anyone who doesn’t want to apply chemicals to their skin. Even if you’ve tried the natural methods and the glue didn’t completely come off your skin, you can just wait until your skin becomes flaky. Once this happens, rub some baby oil on your skin to prevent dryness.
How to Remove Gorilla Glue From Clothes
Just because you’ve spilled some gorilla glue on your clothes, it doesn’t mean you should throw them away. Before removing the adhesive from the fabric, be sure to read the garment’s label first so as to prevent causing damage to the fabric.
Before removing the glue, allow it to completely dry on the material. Gently peel or rub away the adhesive but do this carefully so as to avoid tearing the garment’s fibers. If the adhesive doesn’t come off, use acetone. One word of warning: this nail polish remover ingredient may cause the color on certain fabrics to fade. It is best to test it on a small area before attempting to remove the glue from your clothing.
If all goes well with the acetone test, moisten the soft cloth or sponge in some acetone and apply it to the affected area. The next step is to apply a small amount of water and soap onto the fabric. Get a toothbrush and start rubbing it over the area. Alternate the rubbing directions and incorporate other movements against the fabric to remove the glue.
This process takes time and patience as the acetone, water, and soap solution takes time to dissolve into the fabric layers. Once you’ve removed the adhesive, wash your fabric as usual. Never put a glued garment in your washer or dryer as the stain can set in and become impossible to remove.
Final Thoughts
Now that you’ve learned exactly how to get gorilla glue off your hands and clothes, you’ll no longer feel frustrated when you accidentally spill this glue on your skin. Just pick any of our suggested methods in this article to remove the glue quickly. And if all else fails, wait until the glue comes off by itself after a week or two.
FAQs
How long does gorilla glue take to dry?
Gorilla glue dries almost immediately after it is applied. In fact, it can dry within a matter of minutes. If applied on porous materials, the adhesive will soak in and dry within 10 minutes. Curing can take up to a day. As a rule of thumb, it is best to clean up the spill within the first minute of the accident before the glue hardens and becomes more difficult to remove.
How can I avoid spilling gorilla glue on my skin or clothes?
The best way to avoid spilling the glue is to keep the adhesive tube away from your skin and clothes. Use a small bottle lid or cap to catch the glue spill before any drips fall on your hands or clothes. Alternatively, you can avoid spills altogether if you use a cocktail stick or toothpick to apply the adhesive rather than use the tube itself for application.
Is gorilla glue toxic on the skin?
No. Gorilla glue is not toxic on the skin, although it does contain toxic ingredients that should not be inhaled. This glue is also flammable but doesn’t pose a danger to the skin. If ingested though, the glue will foam and swell in the stomach so always keep it away from animals and children’s reach.
