Whether it is a last-minute science project or an ambitious crafts adventure, someone is bound to spill hot glue over themselves or on the upholstery. In these cases, it is good to know how to remove hot glue from fabric. Read on to find out the best tips!

If you or your children love to get crafty with a glue gun in hand, chances are things will get messy. Spilling hot glue over clothing is common among DIYers. There is nothing wrong with having a hobby that gets your clothes dirty, so don’t be discouraged if this happens to you. Thankfully, there are tried and tested methods available to get rid of hot glue spills from fabric. In this informative post, the clumsy crafter can find easy-to-follow tips on getting rid of hot glue from clothing.

Methods

We have scoured the internet to make a compilation of proven removal methods. These practices are not only simple, but the ingredients are also at your disposal. Read on to find the solution suited for you.

Alcohol

Items You will need:

  • Alcohol.
  • Cotton swabs.

If you have Alcohol available then proceed with the following steps. However, before you apply the procedure to the glue stain, test it on a non-visible part of the clothing. Proceed if the fabric is not damaged or discolored.

  • Apply a few drops of alcohol on a cotton swab.
  • Dab onto the glue area until the glue begins to disappear.
  • Blot with a clean soft cloth.
  • Continue dabbing and blotting until the hot glue dissolves.

Warning: Make sure the alcohol is away from children’s reach while working.

Rubbing Alcohol

Items you will need:

  • Rubbing Alcohol (70% Isopropyl).
  • Cotton Swab.
  • Spoon or blunt knife.

Isopropyl alcohol works great against adhesive products. It breaks down the bonds within the glue making it easier to remove. For this to work, the rubbing alcohol you use must be of 70% isopropyl alcohol concentration. Before applying to the hot glue spill, remember to test it on a hidden area of the fabric.

  • Apply Isopropyl rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab until soaked.
  • Gently dab the cotton swab onto the glue stain, starting from the edges.
  • Using your hand, a blunt knife, or spoon peel off the treated glue.
  • Rinse your fabric with cold water once removed.

Warning: Make sure the rubbing alcohol is away from children’s reach while working.

Nail Polish Remover

Items you will need:

  • Nail Polish Remover (Acetone based).
  • Cotton swab.

Like rubbing alcohol, acetone nail polish remover is great for dissolving adhesive substances like glue. However, don’t be confused these two products are not the same. If you have this ingredient at hand, then test it on a hidden area of your cloth to check for discoloration. If the fabric is unharmed, follow these steps:

  • Soak a cotton swab in nail polish remover.
  • Dab it onto the stain, starting from the edges and working your way to the center.
  • Blot away residue using a clean cloth.
  • Keep up this treatment until the stain is completely removed.

Warning: Make sure the nail polish is away from children’s reach while working.

Cold Treatment

Items you will need:

  • Freezer/ ice cubes.
  • Blunt knife or spoon.

If you can’t find any of the ingredients in the above-mentioned methods, then freezing your clothing is a good option. When cooled at a high temperature, the glue becomes brittle enough to scrape off. Follow these steps to remove hot glue from clothes:

  • Place the fabric in the freezer making sure the glue stain is facing upwards
  • Leave it in overnight
  • Using a blunt knife or spoon, carefully scrape off the dried glue

If the glue is spilled on a larger surface, such as on a sofa, then rub ice cubes over it to dry the hot glue.

Iron Method

Items you will need:

  • Iron.
  • Spare cotton cloth or paper bag.

Don’t have the time to leave it overnight in the freezer? Follow this simple and quick method to get rid of hot glue from the fabric. All you need is an ironing set-up and a cotton cloth to make it happen.

  • Heat the iron at a medium-range.
  • Place the stained cloth on the ironing board, with the stain facing up.
  • Cover the stain with the cotton cloth or paper bag.
  • Press the iron onto the paper bag for 15 to 20 seconds.
  • Gently lift one corner of the cotton cloth or paper bag to check if the glue has transferred to it.
  • If it has, then carefully peel off the cotton cloth or paper bag.
  • If it hasn’t, then continue the process until it transfers.

If you would like some more tips, then check out this short video.

Tips

Here is some extra help to make it easier for you to remove hot glue from fabric. We hope you find these useful.

  • While removing hot glue, remember to be mindful of the ingredients falling into a child’s hands. Most of these are harmful if ingested.
  • If you are willing to invest in a ready-made product available in the market, Goo Gone is a good option. It is an effective adhesive remover available online and in hardware stores. All you have to do is gently apply the remover on the glue spill with a cloth until the glue dissolves.

Counter Measures

It’s important to get your craft on and flex those DIY skills every once in a while. To avoid any future incidents of glue spillage, it may be helpful to observe the following measure.

  • Wear old clothes you don’t need anymore when working on such projects.
  • Wear an apron over your clothes.
  • Cover your working area with plastic sheets.

Conclusion

Who doesn’t create a mess when working on a crafting project? If the mess involves a hot glue spin, then we hope this article proved helpful. Now you are equipped with the knowledge on how to effectively remove hot glue from fabric. Whether you spilled hot glue on your clothes, upholstery, or carpet, the methods listed in this article will help you clean the stain from any fabric.

Let us know what worked for you in the comments below.