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Mary asked: How do I remove superglue from fingers and linoleum?
When 
superglue starts to stick to your fingers, it can become troublesome very quickly. Never try to pull the skin apart as it is adhered tightly with the glue. Insead, use the remedy below to release the bond and separate your fingers again.
You Will Need:
- Acetone nail polish remover
- Hand soap
- Warm water
- Hand lotion
Steps to Remove the Glue:
- First, do NOT try to pull the fingers apart once the glue has cured. This will result in ripping the skin and unnecessary pain.
- Fill a small bowl or cup with acetone nail polish remover.
- Dip your fingers or affected skin into the remover.
- Allow it to set for several minutes while the acetone breaks the bond of the glue.
- When the glue starts to loosen, gently roll the fingers back and forth until the bond breaks and the glue is released.
- Take your time, rushing the process will only result in painful tears of the skin.
- Once the glue is removed, wash your hands with soap and water.
- Nail polish remover is very drying to the skin. Apply a quality hand lotion to restore the moisture.
Additional Tips and Advice
- If no nail polish remover is available, soak the hands in soapy, warm water. It may take longer, but the glue will begin to loosen over time. Once it begins to loosen, rub the fingers back and forth, but do NOT pull them apart. Continue rolling until the glue is released.
- Ensure the nail polish remover has acetone in it (some are non-acetone or acetone free) as this is the active ingredient that breaks down the glue.
- A little salt or baking soda mixed with a drop of water can also be helpful to gently scrub off the glue.
- To remove superglue from other items, see our other guides about super glue:
- How to Remove Superglue from Plastic and Vinyl (This will also work for linoleum.)
- How to Remove Superglue Stains from Fabrics
- How to Remove Superglue from Eye Glasses
My daughter is 15 and went through confirmation last May and had to wear a white, poufy dress, veil, tights and white Mary Janes. Under the tights, her and the other girls had to wear plastic pants (rubber pants) and my daughter split hers up the side seam during her party. She went to her room and took them off and glued the seam back together with super glue and got some on her fingers. I had to apply acetone to her fingers to get them apart. At least her rubber pants were all fixed and she put them back on.
Why bother with the harsh chemicals?? Just use an emery board…gently rub the glued area, and it magically comes off your fingers! I use the cheap emery boards from the drug store…works every time!
HELP! I can’t remove it and my daughter is scared!
Bob,
The acetone may not be working because the glue might not contain acetone. (Like dissolves like.) If that is the case, you can try alcohol or hand sanitizer, or applying oily products such as petroleum jelly, baby oil, vegetable oil, or butter. According to Mister Glue, Windex or WD-40 could also be effective at removing epoxy from skin. Other articles recommend using salt and water to scrub the glue, or soaking the glued area in soapy water or diluted vinegar. Also, Mister Glue’s Un-Cure can be used on skin and will work for most types of super glue.
The good news is that skin is oily, so the glue will eventually come off on its own.
Source: The Original Super Glue Corporation – Removing Super Glue
Source: Mister Glue – How to Remove Glue
Source: wikiHow – How to Get Super Glue Off Skin
Source: wikiHow – How to Get Super Glue off of Your Hands with Salt
Source: Mister Glue – Removing Super Glue
The emery board works great. It might take a while, but don’t panic; it comes off in about 15-20 minutes, and if that doesn’t work and you don’t have nail polish remover, try different types of perfume… It’s made out of some of the same things nail polish remover is made from. Good luck!
Thanks! Your article worked and I was able to remove the super glue from my right pinkie before my mom could notice it.
Tried the salt stuff and soap and water; total waste of time. Did what Don said, using the emery board; glue was off in 1 to 2 minutes.
HELP! I don’t have nail polish remover OR an emery board! What do I do??
Olivia,
Try one of the solutions that I gave to Bob in the comments above, or try the solution in the Additional Tips section of the article.
Just keep rubbing it and scratching it, and it will come off; promise.