Gorilla glues are renowned for their strong adhesive properties. They can be used to repair almost anything. Unfortunately, they can also be very damaging to your skin and be difficult to remove due to their curing speed and strength.
So, how to get gorilla glue off skin? It is super easy – just apply a little acetone with a cotton ball or use cold water and soap. These are sure-fire ways to remove almost any glue off your skin. You can also try exfoliating and applying oil, or leaving it undisturbed if it has already been cured.
We have a step-by-step guide below that will help you take care of any sticky spills. Good luck!
Why Should Gorilla Glue Be Removed as Soon as Possible?
Gorilla glue is a powerful adhesive that can fix almost all materials’ cracks. They contain additives to create durable bonds, making them even more potent than superglues. And we all know how much of a pain superglues can be to remove!
You should start cleaning up every trace of Gorilla glue as soon as the spill occurs, as it can be highly harmful to your bare skin. If you let it sit, the removal process will be much worse and very painful.
They are very toxic to inhale and cause gastrointestinal blockages if ingested.
How to Get Gorilla Glue Off Your Hands
We always recommend wearing gloves to prevent this kind of accident. But if you forgot, don’t panic. Follow these steps, and you will be good to go.
Step 1: Sop Up
Always keep a clean rag or paper towel nearby when working with such strong adhesives. If you are lucky and notice the spill right away, you can wipe away the glue quickly. This step works better if the rag is a little wet. Be careful and work fast as water may cause the glue to harden faster.
Step 2: Soap and Water
Apply a generous amount of liquid or bar soap on the affected area. The soap components prevent the Gorilla glue from hardening and helping it dissolve easily. Rinse off with cold water. Repeat this step until the blot has wholly disappeared.
While bar soap is often the most recommended due to added friction, liquid soaps are stronger. You can also try using dish-washing soaps instead of hand washes.
Step 3: Soak with Acetone
Nail polish removers contain acetone, which can dissolve the chemicals without causing any harm to your skin. Simply pour acetone over the damaged zone or use a cotton ball to dab some onto the area. Let it sit for a few minutes before washing.
This step could remove the glue or loosen it up enough for the next step.
Step 4: Exfoliating
Once all the excess glue has been removed, it is time to get rid of any residue using a metal or wooden stick. You can also use a gentler product, such as beauty exfoliants like sugar scrubs or oil and salt mixtures. A generous splash of vegetable or cooking oil also works great.
If you follow these steps, you can easily get rid of any glue spills without causing further damage.
How to Get Gorilla Glue out of Your Fingers
Sticky fingers can be a little more complicated to clean up, but there is still no reason to panic. However, the first and foremost thing you should remember is never to try to force your fingers apart. This can cause your skin to tear, which would result in stitching or permanent scars.
Step 1: Roll a Pen
Place a pen or pencil between your bonded fingers and roll it against the area. Apply slow and gentle pressure to pop them apart.
Step 2: Soak in Acetone
If your fingers still have glue residue, soak them in acetone and let it sit for a few minutes. This will cause the glue to dissolve eventually. Slowly part your fingers. You can also use a cotton ball soaked with acetone.
Step 3: Exfoliate
This step is necessary to remove any dried bits of glue from your skin. A homemade scrub is just as good as a store-bought version. In a close-lid jar, scoop in salt, sugar, or ground coffee with half the amount of cooking oil. Use it on your hands and thoroughly scrub before washing.
You can also store this scrub for later.
Homemade Scrub Recipe
- 1 cup coarse salt, sugar, or coffee scrub
- ½ cup of oil
- 5-7 drops of essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- Combine all the ingredients in a bowl or airtight container
- It should form a clumpy mixture that would stick to your skin like a paste
- Store and use as needed
How to Get Gorilla Glue out of Your Eyes
Do not worry if you get Gorilla glue in your use any permanent damage. If your eyelids are stuck, check your eyes. While it can be very alarming, you can remain assured that adhesives do not count the steps down below.
Step 1: Flush with Warm Water
Thoroughly splash warm water on your face for about 10-15 minutes.
Step 2: Apply Gauze Patch
Rip out an adequate amount of cotton gauze patch to your eye and let it rest. Do not poke and probe. The eye will open within 1-4 hours.
Go to the nearest emergency unit and have it checked out by a doctor to rule out infections or any corneal damage.
How to Get Dried Glue Off Your Skin
Even if the glue has already had time to dry, you can still remove it at home. However, the steps would be a little different.
Step 1: Exfoliate
You can use either pumice or knife-sharpening stone to scrape off dried glue gently. Any other gritty or rough material would work as well.
Use strong but slow strokes to prevent your skin from tearing. Remember to soothe friction burns in between by simply rubbing your fingers.
Step 2: Apply Oil
Oil or any oil-based materials work great in removing dried glue. You can either heat hand lotion, cooking oil, or baby oil for about 10 seconds before applying it to your skin. They can be very gentle, and you can also choose to add salt for added friction.
Or, you can coat the affected area with lip gloss, petroleum jelly, or oil-based makeup removers.
Step 3: Scrape with Blunt Edge
With a butter knife or the back of a spoon, scrape off the residues with the oil still on. Do not use sharp blades, as they can cut your skin and take off the top layer.
Step 4: Use Citrus
Rubbing slices of lemon on top have also helped many people get rid of dried glue. Remember to use mild citrus-based cleaning products that would not cause any further damage.
Step 5: Homemade Scrub
This method also calls for a homemade scrub that can help remove the glue.
Scoop some washing soda or soda ash with a minuscule amount of liquid detergent in a bowl. Add some water. Stir until it becomes a paste. Wipe off any previous ointment and scrub your hands with this mixture. Wash your hands with warm water afterward.
Recipe for Mixture
- 10% washing soda
- 2% liquid detergent
- 100% water
Instructions
- Mix all the ingredients and use them to scrub
Step 6: Be Patient
Patience is super important when it comes to harsh chemicals. Due to the regular skin regeneration, the glue will wear off, and the stain will eventually fade. Just remember to keep your hands moisturized during then.
Conclusion
These are the quick and easy steps on how to get gorilla glue off the skin. Now that you know how to work your way around it, you do not have to feel frustrated with accidental spills. You can just carry on with your DIY project.
