How to Get Glue Out of Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

Your kid came home from school with craft glue on their shirt. Or you were fixing something and got super glue on your sleeve. Glue on clothes is a common problem, but the treatment depends on the type of glue. School glue is water-based and easy to remove. Super glue (cyanoacrylate) is harder and needs acetone. Hot glue needs to be peeled off after softening. Here’s how to get glue out of clothes without damaging the fabric.

Glue stains on clothes are marks caused by adhesive compounds that bond with fabric fibers. Different types of glue require different removal methods: water-based glue (school glue, Elmer’s) comes out with soap and water, super glue (cyanoacrylate) needs acetone, and hot glue needs to be softened and peeled off.

To get glue out of clothes, identify the glue type first. For school glue, rinse with warm water and apply dish soap. For super glue, apply acetone (test first) and scrape off. For hot glue, soften with heat or rubbing alcohol and peel off. Wash with enzyme detergent after treatment. Check before drying.

For School Glue (White Glue, Elmer’s)

School glue is water-based and the easiest to remove.

Step 1: Scrape Off Excess

Use the edge of a butter knife to lift off as much glue as possible.

Step 2: Rinse with Warm Water

Hold the stained area under warm running water from the back of the fabric. The warm water softens the glue.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply Dawn Ultra Dish Soap directly to the stain. Work it in gently.

Step 4: Let It Sit for 5 Minutes

Step 5: Rinse and Check

Rinse with warm water. If the glue is gone, wash as usual. If glue remains, repeat.

Step 6: Wash

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Check before drying.

For Super Glue (Cyanoacrylate)

Super glue is harder to remove and requires acetone.

Step 1: Test for Acetone Safety

Acetone can damage some synthetic fabrics like polyester and acetate. Test on an inconspicuous area first. If the fabric is natural (cotton, linen, wool), acetone is usually safe.

Step 2: Apply Acetone

Apply acetone (nail polish remover) to the glue stain with a cotton ball. Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes to soften the glue.

Step 3: Scrape Off

Use a butter knife or your fingernail to scrape off the softened glue. Don’t pull, as this can tear the fabric.

Step 4: Repeat

If glue remains, apply more acetone and repeat.

Step 5: Wash

Wash with enzyme detergent in warm water. Check before drying.

Alternative for Synthetic Fabrics

If the fabric is synthetic and acetone damages it, try rubbing alcohol instead. It’s gentler but less effective.

For Hot Glue (Hot Melt)

Hot glue needs to be softened before it can be removed.

Step 1: Let It Harden

If the hot glue is still warm, let it harden completely before treating.

Step 2: Peel Off What You Can

Gently peel off as much of the hardened glue as possible with your fingers.

Step 3: Apply Heat

Place a clean cloth over the remaining glue. Iron on low heat (no steam) over the cloth. The heat softens the glue, which transfers to the cloth.

Step 4: Repeat

Move to a clean area of the cloth and repeat until the glue is removed.

Alternative: Rubbing Alcohol

If heat doesn’t work, apply rubbing alcohol to the glue with a cotton ball. Let it sit for 5 minutes to soften the glue, then scrape off.

Step 5: Wash

Wash with enzyme detergent in warm water. Check before drying.

For Fabric Glue (Permanent Adhesive)

Fabric glue is designed to bond permanently with fabric, making it the hardest to remove.

Step 1: Apply Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the glue with a cotton ball. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 2: Scrape Off

Scrape off the softened glue with a butter knife.

Step 3: Apply Dish Soap

Apply dish soap to remove the remaining adhesive.

Step 4: Wash

Wash with enzyme detergent in warm water. Check before drying.

Comparison: Glue Types and Treatments

Glue Type	Best Treatment	What to Avoid
School glue (white)	Warm water + dish soap	Hot water before scraping
Super glue	Acetone + scraping	Acetone on synthetics
Hot glue	Heat + peel	Pulling before softening
Fabric glue	Rubbing alcohol + scraping	Hot water
Epoxy	Acetone or rubbing alcohol	Heat

What Not to Do

Don’t pull dried glue. Pulling can tear the fabric. Always soften the glue first.

Don’t use acetone on synthetics without testing. Acetone can dissolve polyester, acetate, and other synthetic fibers.

Don’t use hot water on super glue. Hot water can set super glue. Use acetone instead.

Don’t put the garment in the dryer. Dryer heat sets glue permanently. Always air dry and check first.

Don’t rub. Rubbing spreads the glue and pushes it deeper. Blot or scrape gently.

FAQ

How do you get glue out of clothes? For school glue, rinse with warm water and apply dish soap. For super glue, apply acetone (test first) and scrape off. For hot glue, soften with heat or rubbing alcohol and peel off. Wash with enzyme detergent after treatment.

How do you get super glue out of clothes? Apply acetone (nail polish remover) to the glue with a cotton ball. Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then scrape off the softened glue. Test on an inconspicuous area first, as acetone can damage some synthetic fabrics.

How do you get hot glue out of clothes? Let the glue harden, peel off what you can, then place a clean cloth over the remaining glue and iron on low heat. The heat softens the glue, which transfers to the cloth. Repeat until the glue is removed.

Does acetone remove super glue from clothes? Yes. Acetone dissolves cyanoacrylate (super glue). Apply it to the stain, let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes, then scrape off the softened glue. Don’t use acetone on synthetic fabrics without testing first.

Can you put glue-stained clothes in the dryer? Don’t put glue-stained clothes in the dryer until the glue is completely gone. Dryer heat sets glue permanently. Always air dry and check first.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Glue from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “How to Get Glue Out of Clothes.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “How to Remove Glue Stains.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Loctite. “Super Glue Removal Guide.” loctite.com.