How To Remove Wood Glue From Fabric

By  Samantha Volz

Things Needed

  • Water

  • Pot

  • Stove

  • Cloth

  • White vinegar

  • Plastic scraper or butter knife

  • Protective gloves

  • Ammonia

  • Towel

  • Clothing iron

  • Amyl acetate

Tip

Certain wood glues, such as Titebond, will wash out of clothing with just a regular wash and dry cycle. If you have constant problems with wood glue stains, consider trying a different brand to see if it washes out more easily. Dried glue is a stubborn stain to remove from any fabric. Try a number of solutions, or repeat one that is effective, until the stain is completely gone.

Warning

Always wear protective gloves when working with chemicals such as ammonia.

Wood glue is one of the most effective binders for joining pieces of wood. Unfortunately, it sticks just as well to fabric, and can cause unsightly yellow stains on shirts, pants and any other fabric with which it comes into contact. When the glue-stained fabrics aren't just your work clothes and need to be cleaned, try these at-home remedies to remove the wood glue stains.

Step 1

Rinse the glue stain with cool water as soon as you can. If the glue has not dried, it will rinse right off of the clothing. Most wood glues are water-soluble, so simply rinsing with cool water may remove the stain.

Step 2

Boil water on a stove. Add the stained fabric and let it boil for at least a minute. Carefully remove the fabric and scrape or peel the glue away. The heat from the water will soften or even liquefy the glue.

Step 3

Soak a clean washrag or cloth in white vinegar. Dab onto the fabric until the glue stain is saturated with vinegar. Let sit for at least 10 minutes, then scrape or peel the loosened glue from the fabric.

Step 4

Apply household ammonia to the glue stain the same way vinegar was applied. Wear protective gloves when working with household chemicals. When using ammonia, spot test the cleaner on an area of the fabric that is not visible to be sure that the ammonia does not harm the garment.

Step 5

Spread a clean towel over the glue stain. Iron the area with a clothing iron set at the hottest setting safe for the towel. The heat from the iron will soften or even liquefy the glue. Wipe or peel away he loosened glue.

Step 6

Purchase a cleaner containing amyl acetate. These cleaners are available at most hardware stores. Spot test the cleaner on an area of the fabric that is not visible to be sure that the chemicals do not harm the garment. Soak the glue-stained fabric in the cleaner for at least two hours. Remove and peel or scrape the loosened glue from the fabric.

References

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