Super glue is a wonderful thing. It’s strong enough to bond things that are supposed to be together but not so strong that you can’t take them apart when needed.
Unfortunately, the downside of this powerful adhesive is its tenacity once it has bonded with something – namely, your fingers. If you’ve ever had the experience of being glued to your fingers for hours after using superglue, these 11 clever ways will come in handy.
Method 1: Use Dish Soap and Water
Follow the steps below to remove super glue with dish soap and water:
- Rinse your fingers and hands under warm running water and dry them with a towel.
- Fill a bowl with warm water and add two cups of dish soap. Soak your fingers in the soapy water for about 5 minutes.
- After you have soaked your fingers, rinse them off again with cool running water to cool them down before you try to peel the glue off your skin with your thumbnail or fingernails. Doing this while the super glue is still wet rather than dried on your skin will be much easier.
- If you have trouble removing most of the glue, add more dish soap and start working again until it’s all gone.
Method 2: Use Detergent
Detergents break down the chemical bonds between your fingers and super glue. Take a thin layer of detergent on your hands and rub it vigorously. Rubbing will work away at the glue and loosen it over time.
Wash your hands like normal and the rest of the dirt and grime with soap and water. Rinse your hands with water to remove any soap residue, then pat them dry – this should help with the smell too.
Method 3: Soak in Nail Polish Remover
First, you’ll need to clean your hands with soap and water. This will remove any oils or dirt that are preventing the nail polish remover from being able to soak into the glue.
Next, fill a shallow dish with enough nail polish remover to cover your fingertips, allowing them to float in the liquid. This will dissolve the super glue so you can peel it off more easily. Let your fingers soak for at least 10 minutes, then gently rub any remaining adhesive away with a cotton ball or paper towel.
Rinse under clean water and dry your hands thoroughly. Remember that nail polish remover is just another form of alcohol, so it’s important not to let it dry on your skin.
Method 4: Use Acetone
Acetone is often best for removing superglue from your fingers. It’s a powerful solvent that can dissolve the adhesive so that you can easily pick or peel it off without causing any damage to yourself.
If using acetone, protect your skin with rubber gloves and keep your eyes away. The fumes can be quite strong. You’ll want to work in a well-ventilated area and cover your clothing with a layer of plastic. This will protect you from getting the acetone on other clothes.
Pour a generous amount of acetone into a jar or tray and submerge one of your fingers into the solution. Wait for two minutes before returning your finger to the air, then do the same for the next finger, and so on. Rinse out your fingers with water as you go.
After you have rinsed each finger, wipe it clean with a paper towel. Repeat the process if your fingers are still stuck together.
Method 5: Use Coconut Oil and Baking Soda
Mix equal parts baking soda and coconut oil in a small bowl to get super glue off your fingers. The mixture should be thick but still spreadable.
Rub the baking soda and coconut oil mixture onto your fingers to cover the area where the super glue has stuck. Let this stand for five minutes, then rinse it away with warm water and soap, so no residue remains.
Method 6: Use an Ice Cube
Ice is one of the most popular ways to remove superglue from your fingers. It would be best to only rub an ice cube over each finger until the adhesive breaks apart and flakes off like dead skin.
The water in between will act as a lubricant, making separating the skin from the glue easier.
Remember – you can’t use this method if anything else is stuck to your finger with the super glue.
Method 7: De-grease With Vegetable Oil
Follow the steps below to remove super glue from your fingers:
- Prepare a bowl or glass of vegetable oil and allow to cool slightly.
- Coat fingers and the superglue with vegetable oil.
- Wait for at least 30 seconds before trying to unstick your fingers.
- Peel your fingers slowly away from each other, starting where they are glued together.
The vegetable oil will help dissolve the glue and break the bond between the surfaces. It also makes it easier to peel the fingers apart. Use a q-tip dipped in vegetable oil around your fingernails if you’re having trouble grabbing onto them.
Method 8: Use Petroleum Jelly
Applying petroleum jelly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to get super glue off your fingers.
The chemical structure in both products prevents them from bonding when they come into contact, making this a natural solution easy enough for anyone to use. Apply Vaseline or petroleum jelly on your fingers; the glue will peel immediately.
Method 9: Use Rubbing Alcohol
Coat your fingers in a thin layer of rubbing alcohol. Rub the rubbing alcohol into your fingers to remove any traces of oil or grease before it dries onto your skin.
Let the alcohol sit for five minutes before wiping it off with a cotton cloth or paper towel.
To make this process even easier, use a spray bottle filled with rubbing alcohol to apply a thin layer all over your fingers to remove any oil or grease.
Method 10: Use Paint Thinner
Paint thinner is a paint and varnish remover that can remove super glue from your fingers. Soak the area of your fingers where you got the glue and let it penetrate for 5 minutes.
Then scrub the area with a rough towel and some dish soap or hand soap (dish soap will work better) to loosen up the glue and remove as much as possible.
Method 11: Use Hydrogen Peroxide
Pour hydrogen peroxide over the stuck fingers. The hydrogen peroxide cuts through the super glue and frees your fingers. However, ensure that all adhesives are removed between your fingers before moving on to another finger.
You can also use a toothbrush or fingernail brush to scrub the glue residue between your fingers.
Conclusion
We hope you found these 11 clever ways to remove super glue from your fingers helpful. Remember, the trick is not to panic. The more you try different methods of removing it, the better the chance one will work for you.
Have any other suggestions? Let us know in the comments below, and we’ll consider adding them to our list next time.
