How to Remove 7 Types of Glue Stains From Clothes

Project Overview
  • Working Time: 10 mins
  • Total Time: 10 mins - 8 hrs
  • Estimated Cost: $0-10

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.

Blue glitter glue stained on pink tank top

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

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.

What You'll Need

Equipment / Tools

Commercial Adhesives

  • Dull knife or plastic scraper

Fingernail Glue

  • Dull kitchen knife

Glitter Glue

  • Dull knife or hard plastic scraper

Hot Glue

  • Dull knife or hard plastic scraper

Rubber Cement

  • Dull knife or hard plastic scraper

Super Glue

  • Clean cloth (for carpet)

White School Glue

  • Dull knife or scraping tool
  • Sponge

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

Instructions

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.

Stain Type Chemical-based stain
Detergent Type Stain remover and heavy-duty detergent
Water Temperature Wash according to fabric label

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.

Materials and tools to remove commercial adhesives

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    White commercial adhesive drying on pink fabric

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Excess commercial glue removed with dull knife

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Pink fabric with commercial adhesive placed in freezer

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  4. Treat With Stain Remover

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

    Stain remover applied to commercial adhesive stain for spot treatment

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

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.

Stain Type Chemical-based
Detergent Type Heavy-duty laundry detergent or liquid dishwashing detergent
Water Temperature Wash according to fabric label
Materials and tools to remove nail glue from clothing

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Cotton swab dipped in nail polish remover testing on fabric

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Cotton swab dabbing outside of nail glue stain on shirt collar

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Dull knife scraping nail glue from clothing

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Heavy-duty laundry detergent in small bowl next to nail glue stained shirt

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Nail glue stained shirt placed in dryer after removal

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

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.

Stain type Protein-based and dye-based stain
Detergent Type Regular laundry detergent and oxygen-based bleach
Water Temperature Wash according to the fabric label
Materials and tools to remove glitter glue from clothing

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Excess glitter glue scraped off clothing with dull knife

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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. 

    Glitter glue stained shirt soaked under running cold water

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  3. Create a Bleach Solution

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

    Oxygen-based bleach and water in separate bowls for solution

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Shirt with glitter glue soaking in bowl of solution

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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. 

    Glitter glue stained shirt placed in washer machine

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

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. 

Stain Type Protein-based
Detergent Type Goo Gone or acetone and regular detergent
Water Temperature Wash according to fabric label
Materials and tools to remove hot glue from clothing

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Shirt with hot glue stain placed in freezer

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Cotton swab dabbing hot glue stain with acetone

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Hot glue stained shirt placed in washer machine

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

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.

Stain Type Protein-based
Detergent Type Heavy-duty laundry detergent
Water Temperature Hot
Materials and tools to remove rubber cement from clothing

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  1. Lift Away Excess Cement

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

    Excess rubber cement removed with dull knife from carpet

    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.

    Liquid dishwashing detergent mixed with water and white vinegar for solution

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  3. Scrub the Affected Area

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

    Cloth dipped in rubber cement cleaning solution

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  4. Rinse the Carpet

    Rinse with a clean cloth dipped in plain water.

    Carpet rinsed with cloth dipped in water

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  5. Air-Dry

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

    Carpet air dried after removing rubber cement stain

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

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. 

Stain Type Chemical-based
Detergent Type Heavy-duty laundry detergent and acetone
Water Temperature Wash according to the fabric label
Materials and tools to remove super glue from clothing

The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  1. Let Glue Dry

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

    Super glue let to dry on pink shirt collar

    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.

    Cotton swab performing color test with acetone nail polish remove on inner seam

    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.

    Cotton swab dabbing cleaning solution over super glue on fabric

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Clothing with removed super glue placed in washer machine

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

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.

Stain Type Protein-based
Detergent Type Regular laundry detergent
Water Temperature Cold
Materials and tools to remove white school glue from clothing

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.

    Excess white school glue removed with dull knife from clothing

    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. 

    Fabric with white school glue flooded with running water

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

  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.

    Shirt with white school glue removed placed in washer machine

    The Spruce / Georgia Lloyd

Additional Tips

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.

The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Stain Solutions. University of Illinois Extension.

  2. The Handy Butler: Your Home Guide to Conversions and Household Queries. Author House.