If you’re in a super sticky situation, these tips will help
Super glue got its name for a reason. It's known for its versatility, as well as its long-lasting adhesive strength. But if it sticks to your fingers, hands, or anywhere else on your skin, you’ll want to remove it fast.
In the instance your DIY or craft project goes awry, we’ve got the ultimate guide to removing super glue from your skin.
If you’re anything like us, you’ve internalized a few urban legends you heard as a child about super glue, namely the one about its ability to glue your fingers or lips together forever. While it shouldn’t be anywhere near your lips (or eyes—more on that later), if you get some on your fingers, there is a way to remove it.
Now that you aren’t panicking, you also need to prepare to try a few glue removal methods, which could take some time. Be patient to keep your skin safe as you remove the glue. If the skin breaks, it’s best to seek medical help.
No matter how the crazy glue got there, whether during a DIY home improvement project or craft time with the kids, soak the sticky area in a bowl with warm water and hand soap for 30 to 60 seconds.
If you’re able to wash up before the glue hardens, you may be able to break the bond before it dries. To get any remaining residue off of your skin, rub some sugar or salt over the area to exfoliate the glue away.
Greasy items can break down super glue’s strong cyanoacrylate bond. Dig around your kitchen for coconut oil or olive oil, or look in the bathroom for some petroleum jelly.
Massage the greasy substance onto your fingers, hands, or anywhere else you have crazy glue on your skin, softly pulling the stuck area away from whatever it is stuck to. You might need to reapply the oil a few times.
Failing the above methods, acetone (the main ingredient in nail polish remover) is a go-to super glue solvent. Make sure your hands are clean and dry, and then proceed to dab an acetone-soaked cotton ball on the spot.
Use a craft stick to gently peel the glue away from the skin. Acetone is very dehydrating and can be irritating to some, so be sure to wash your hands after using it and apply a moisturizing hand lotion.
Skin sloughs off over time, so if there’s just a small patch of super glue on your fingers that isn’t restricting your movement or ability, you could just wait it out. Some guitar players actually intentionally put super glue on their fingers to help create a buffer between their skin and the strings, just adding more as the skin flakes off.
There are a few instances when you should call 911 for medical assistance instead of trying to get super glue off your skin yourself.
Super glue emergency situations include:
You have swallowed super glue or glued your lips together, possibly ingesting some glue.
You have gotten super glue in your eyes or your eyelids are glued shut.
You have tried to remove the super glue but none of the above solutions have worked, or you have broken skin in the process.
To ensure you don’t get stuck a second time, wear gloves for your next super glue project. Whether you’re building a birdhouse or repairing tile for a budget bathroom remodel, keep safety in mind when handling crazy glue.
Don’t forget to always keep extra dish soap, oils, and acetone around in case things get out of control. Finally, if you’ve discovered that DIY home projects are more than you can handle alone, it might be time to call a local handyperson to help out.
