A school project with the kids, a shoe repair or hanging wallpaper, and suddenly there is a glue stain on your jeans or jumper. The longer it stays, the more firmly the glue bonds with the fibres, so do not leave cleaning for a week.
At the same time, do not rub wet glue either: it will only spread across the fabric. The best results come from this sequence: let the glue set, remove the bulk mechanically, then soften and clear the residue.
What you will need
- WD-40 Multi-Use or WD-40 Smart Straw
- a plastic card or blunt knife
- cotton pads or a clean cloth
- an old toothbrush
- soap or liquid laundry detergent
- if needed, petroleum jelly or acetone nail polish remover
Important: Acetone destroys acetate and triacetate fabrics and can bleach coloured items, so check the care label. Test WD-40 on a hidden area first as well.
Step 1
Let the glue dry
Do not tackle a fresh wet stain: rubbed glue soaks deeper and covers a bigger area. Let it dry completely. To speed things up, put the garment in a bag in the freezer for an hour so the glue becomes brittle.
Step 2
Remove the excess glue
Carefully scrape off the hardened glue with a plastic card or the blunt side of a knife, working along the fibres. Take your time so you do not pull threads in knitwear. Only a thin film should remain on the fabric.
Step 3
Spray WD-40 on the residue
Apply WD-40 Multi-Use so it fully soaks the dried glue, without overdoing it. For a small spot on a jumper or child's T-shirt, WD-40 Smart Straw with its straw is more precise.
Leave it for about 5 minutes. In that time the product gets under the glue film and weakens its grip on the fabric. Do not wait too long, as the product starts to evaporate.
Step 4
Blot and brush away
Blot the softened glue with a cotton pad or clean cloth. Dabbing is kinder to the fabric than hard rubbing. Gently brush out any residue left in the fibres with an old toothbrush.
If the glue has not come off completely, apply WD-40 again. For very strong adhesives, try petroleum jelly overnight or spot treatment with acetone on durable fabrics.
Step 5
Wash in cool water
Put a little soap or liquid detergent on the treated area to remove the greasy WD-40 film. Then wash the garment in cool water by machine or by hand.
Hot water can set tiny glue particles, so keep the temperature low until the item is fully clean.
Tip: The same steps remove adhesive from price tags and stickers on clothes and bags. Keep a
pocket-size WD-40 100 ml in the craft drawer so it is to hand during creative sessions with children.
What next
After washing, check the result in daylight before drying. WD-40 Multi-Use also removes tape residue from furniture, glass and plastic, so the can will come in handy after decorating too.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».