There are different kinds of hair glues used for hair extensions, and they can make a huge mess when they get into your clothes.
Getting hair glue out of clothes when they get in is quite the task, but it is not impossible.
How to Get Hair Glue Out of Clothes
While there are different kinds of hair glue, there are different removal methods when they stick to your clothes. Here are some of them below:
1. Use Water
Water is often a quick remedy against PVA adhesives like Elmer’s glue and glitter glue, so it should work perfectly for hair glue. Just soak the cloth in cold water for about eight hours, and then you can easily peel away the dissolving substance.
After this, you can also use bleach to remove colored stains if there are any; for bleach safe clothes only.
Note: You mustn’t use hot water to get rid of the glue, as the heat would only make the glue stick more to the clothes and make it more difficult to remove.
2. Use Rubbing Alcohol
Alcohol dissolves and softens all kinds of glue, even super glue! Although, you have to be careful with it as it can damage some fabrics. So ensure to use the rubbing alcohol this first on a small part of the cloth before dunking the whole thing on alcohol.
Here is a step-by-step method on how to go about it below:
Step 1: Dip a clean cloth or cotton ball in the rubbing alcohol; hold it on the glue stain for a minute.
Step 2: Dip into the alcohol again and dab from the outside, moving towards the middle at the hair glue.
Step 3: Scrape the glue using a spoon or a knife as the glue on the cloth softens, peeling it off.
Step 4: Keep applying the alcohol until all glue flakes are peeled off, then rinse the cloth with cool water to get rid of the alcohol
Step 5: Wash the cloth in a washing machine as you usually would. Air-dry it instead of using the dryer.
3. Use Coconut Oil and Baking Soda
Coconut oil mixed with baking soda is an effective homemade method of getting hair glue out of clothes. All you have to do is follow these simple guidelines below:
Step 1: Mix half a cup of baking soda and quarter a cup of coconut oil in a bowl. Mix until you have a smooth oily paste.
Step 2: Soak the glue-stained fabric in a bucket of cool water.
Step 3: Smear the mixture over the area with hair glue, then scrub well with your fingers; you can use gloves to avoid the messy feel of the mixture on your hands.
Step 4: Scrub until there isn’t any remaining stain and rinse the cloth’s stained part.
4. Use Ice Cubes/Freezing
Sometimes, to get stains off small clothes, you can put them in a freezer for a few hours or put ice cubes in a bag and place them on top of the stain to allow it to harden and then crack.
Note that the glue stain might not peel away instantly, but can be broken off, a chunk at a time, without your material being destroyed. After removing the hair glue, you may need a stain remover to follow the stain up.
5. Use Electrical Iron
The heat from an iron will melt the glue on the cloth; this makes it easy to scrape the glue off. But you have to be careful while at it because heat from an iron can worsen some glue stains.
So, to use an electric iron, follow these simple steps below:
Step 1: Put a clean absorbing cloth over the glue area.
Step 2: Place the heated iron in the area. You’ll see the glue dissolving and soaking into the clean cloth.
Step 3: Put a dry section of the clean cloth over the stain again
Step 4: Repeat this until all stain is gone
6. Use Nail Polish Remover
The main chemical ingredient in most nail polish removers is acetone. Acetone effectively softens chemical-based glue, and hair glue is not an exception.
The effectiveness of acetone has a downside; it could damage the fabric, so you have to be careful when using it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use it below:
Step 1: Dip a cotton ball in acetone nail polish remover
Step 2: Dab at the glue stain with the cotton ball to prevent you from moving glue to unstained parts of the cloth
Step 3: Continue the process until most glue stain is gone.
Step 4: Wash with laundry detergent and air dry. Please do not put it in the dryer!
7. Use Laundry Detergent
Laundry detergents do an excellent job of removing hair glue stains from clothes.
When using laundry detergent, use your hands and not a machine, as it causes the stain to set in permanently. Try air-drying when you aren’t sure of the stain’s complete removal.
8. Use Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar solution is a strong stain remover with powerful properties that work as a solvent on specific kinds of glue, including hair glue.
It works so, especially when mixed with dish soap. To use this, follow these simple steps below:
Step 1: Use a blunt knife to scrape as much glue as you can from your clothing.
Step 2: Mix two tablespoons of vinegar with a cup of warm water and a teaspoon of dish soap.
Step 3: Soak a clean cloth in the mixture and put the cloth over the stain for about five minutes.
Step 4: Now scrub the stain with the rag gently.
Step 5: Soak again and place over the stain as much time as necessary.
9. Commercial Glue Remover
Commercial removers are designed to handle certain kinds of adhesives and give excellent results.
These commercial glue removers do not contain dangerous chemicals; however, you must read the directions given on the product’s container before using them.
An essential piece of information to note is that sometimes, the chemical ingredients used in these glue removers will do more damage to your clothing than the glue did if you don’t follow the directions.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use commercial glue below:
Step 1: Make sure your room is well ventilated before using the commercial glue remover.
Step 2: Spray the glue remover on the glue and let it soak in the glue residue for a few minutes.
Step 3: Wipe the hair glue out of the cloth with a clean cloth.
Step 4: Repeat the steps if necessary.
10. Use Soda
The acidity in soda can help remove hair glue from clothes, and Coca-Cola is the preferred soda to use; you can try any soda in the house if there’s no coke.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how to go about it below:
Step 1: Dip a clean cloth or cotton ball in the soda; hold it on the glue stain for a minute.
Step 2: Dip into the soda again and dab from the outside, moving towards the middle at the hair glue.
Step 3: Scrape the glue using a spoon or a knife as the glue on the cloth softens, peeling it off.
Step 4: Keep applying the soda until all glue flakes are peeled off, then rinse the cloth with cool water to get rid of the soda.