When using super glue to fix an item around the house, it can be unpleasant to get some of the product on our skin, clothes, the surface of the table, or any other objects.
Since super glue is known for its strong bonding and adhesion properties, it can be quite difficult to remove, especially when it dries.
There are different ways to remove super glue, such as using soapy water, butter, and oils and even rubbing it with a pumice stone.
You can also use nail polish remover!
Here is How Nail Polish Remover Works to Remove Super Glue:
The main ingredient of super glue is a substance called cyanoacrylate. This substance is an acrylic resin that cures and forms a really strong bond. The solvent in nail polish remover, specifically acetone, is powerful enough to break down that resin, and therefore super glue.
Can Nail Polish Remover Remove Super Glue at All?
There is one way of removing super glue without too much effort, and that is by using a nail polish remover.
Nail polish remover can remove super glue. It is one of the most effective products that you can use to remove super glue.
The main ingredient of super glue is a substance called cyanoacrylate. This substance is an acrylic resin that cures and forms a strong bond instantly.
The solvent in nail polish remover, specifically acetone, is powerful enough to dissolve and break down resin. This is why it is effective in removing super glue.
Can Nail Polish Remover Remove Super Glue From Skin?
If you get super glue in between your fingers, it can even glue together your fingers.
If you get super glue on your skin by accident, the first thing to do is wash it off with soap and warm water. This works if the super glue is not yet fully dry.
If the soap did not work to help dissolve the glue, the next thing you can do is to get a bottle of nail polish remover and use that to remove the glue.
Nail polish remover can effectively remove super glue from the skin. This is because nail polish removers contain acetone that is powerful enough to dissolve and break down the super glue, even if it stays on the skin.
Here is how to remove super glue from the skin using nail polish remover:
- Take a piece of cotton, then pour a small amount of nail polish remover.
- Gently rub the cotton on the skin that has super glue.
- Keep repeating steps 1 and 2 until all traces of super glue have been removed from the skin.
Nail polish remover is generally safe on the skin but can cause dryness. People with sensitive skin may cause some irritations, so make sure to wash your hands after applying nail polish remover on the skin.
Suppose you have eczema or dry skin conditions. In that case, you may notice some irritation after letting your skin come in contact with the nail polish remover, so always use a lotion or moisturizer.
Warning: If you have cuts or wounded or injured skin, do not use nail polish remover, as it can cause a burning sensation which can be painful. Also, avoid getting nail polish remover in the eyes, nose, and mouth.
Can Nail Polish Remover Remove Super Glue From Plastic?
Super glue is very effective for bonding different materials together. It also works on plastic. So if you have a broken plastic item, you can use super glue to fix it.
If you accidentally spill super glue on a plastic 0bject or surface, you can easily clean it up and remove it using nail polish remover.
Nail polish remover is effective in removing super glue from plastic. Plastic is a sturdy and durable material, and it will not likely get damaged by solvents, including the acetone in nail polish removers.
So it is generally safe to use nail polish remover to remove super glue from different types of plastic, such as low-density polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, and polypropylene.
These types of plastic are the ones that common household items are made of. Some examples are storage containers and boxes, plastic shelves, plastic plates and utensils, food containers, bottles, and children’s toys.
Here is how to remove super glue from plastic:
- Take an old clean cloth or rag, and pour some nail polish remover on one corner.
- Rub it on the plastic surface with super glue.
- Repeat until all traces of super glue have been removed from the plastic.
Not all types of plastic can handle the acetone in nail polish remover. PVC and polystyrene can corrode and get damaged when they come in contact with acetone, so do not use nail polish remover on these types of plastic.
Can Nail Polish Remover Remove Super Glue From Furniture?
Spilling any chemical substances on furniture can be a hassle as it can damage the furniture.
When spilled on furniture by accident, super glue does not damage it, but it can diminish the beauty and quality of the furniture. The good news is that you can also use nail polish remover to remove super glue from the furniture.
Here is how:
- Take your nail polish remover and pour a small amount on the area of the furniture where super glue has been spilled.
- Then take a clean old toothbrush or a sponge and gently scrub off the super glue.
- Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all traces of super glue have been removed from the furniture.
But would this method work on all types of furniture? Let’s check.
Wooden Furniture
Three types of wood commonly used for making furniture are softwood, hardwood, and engineered wood.
Nail polish remover is safe to use on all three types of wood. You can use nail polish remover to remove super glue from wooden furniture.
Take note that nail polish remover can also remove the paint and varnish from wood, so after removing the super glue, you may have to retouch the paint or varnish on your wooden furniture.
Metal Furniture
There are several types of metal, but the ones commonly used for making furniture are stainless steel, aluminum, brass, and copper.
Nail polish remover is safe to use on all these types of metal. You can use nail polish remover to remove super glue from the surfaces of these metals.
When using nail polish remover to remove super glue from metal, concentrate on the affected area only and avoid getting it on the rest of the furniture. This is because nail polish remover can thin out the paint, which means you may have to retouch the paint if this happens.
Upholstered Furniture
If you spill super glue on your upholstered furniture, you can use nail polish remover to effectively clean it off. Nail polish remover is safe on almost any fabric except suede and acetate.
Some safe upholstered fabrics are cotton, linen, wool, leather, acetate, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, acrylic, and rayon.
When removing super glue using nail polish remover, rub gently to avoid snagging or destroying the fabric.
Can Nail Polish Remover Remove Super Glue From Clothing?
Have you ever spilled super glue on your clothes? If you have, you may notice that removing it is quite difficult. Washing your clothes with your usual detergent may not work.
If you get super glue on your clothes, you can use nail polish remover to remove it.
Nail polish remover is generally safe on all clothing fabrics like cotton, linen, wool, leather, polyester, nylon, rayon polypropylene, and acrylic.
Nail polish remover can quickly dissolve super glue on clothes, so you can easily remove it:
- Pour nail polish remover on the affected area of the clothes.
- Let it sit and soak for a few minutes until all traces of super glue have been dissolved.
- Rinse the clothes with water.
Since the acetone in nail polish remover can cause irritations on sensitive skin, wash your clothes with water and your usual detergent after using nail polish remover to remove super glue. This is to ensure that all traces of nail polish remover are washed off from your clothes and prevent any allergies or skin irritation.
It is important to note that nail polish remover is not safe for all types of fabric, so always check the label before pouring nail polish remover on it. If the clothing material is made from suede or acetate, do not use nail polish remover on it.
If you want an effective way to remove super glue from skin and different surfaces, nail polish remover is a great solution. It works fast, and it is generally safe to be used on most materials.
Since nail polish remover has so many practical uses apart from removing nail polish, it is a very handy product in the household. The best part about it is that it is very cheap, and you can get it at almost any drugstore.
Sources:
How To Get Super Glue Off The Skin