How To Get Glue Out Of Carpet in 5 Ways
Author: Anne Cowart | Editor: Omar Alonso
Review & Research: Jen Worst & Chris Miller
Spilling food can be comparatively easily dealt with, but how about knocking over a bottle of glue on your carpet? Glue is a bonding agent that comes in different types and is used to join materials. When spilled on the carpet, it will stick to the fibers like no other. So, how to get glue out of carpet?
Stains on a carpet are a big no-no and can ruin its appearance big time. There are different kinds of stains of course, where some can be dealt with easily and others will need a vigorous treatment to get them off. Glue takes a bit of work, but it can be done.
There are numerous ways to treat glue stains on a carpet, and they can be taken off using ready-made or homemade cleaning solutions. This article will highlight some useful methods you can use for getting glue out of carpet.
How to Get Glue Out of Carpet Using Vinegar
When dealing with adhesives on your carpet, it is best to act fast. If not, there are chances it will harden, no matter the glue type. Getting rid of craft glue from carpet fibers can be tricky but doable. Here is what you need to do.
Step 1: Scrape the Glue
First and foremost, you need a butter knife or plastic spoon (or anything similar) to scrape the glue from the surface. Do it gently so that you don't hamper the fibers of the carpet. Try not to spread the glue around as you do so.
Step 2: Soak the Affected Area
The next thing to do is to make the glue spot soft by applying warm water. Now rub the carpet surface gently to diminish the hardness. This is assuming the glue has dried. If not, you can skip this step.
Step 3: Use Distilled Vinegar
A vinegar solution can be super effective in removing any kind of stain, not only glue (but especially glue). It's critical in how to remove ink from carpet, for example, and that's a real tough stain. Apply some distilled vinegar, or you can use dishwashing soap, with water. Now, let it sit for about ten minutes or so.
With vinegar you can use equal portions vinegar and water in your solution. With dishwashing liquid you'll only want a few drops, and no more than a tablespoon's worth.
Step 4: Rub with Clean Cloth
Take a sponge or clean cloth to rub against the carpet to remove the extra glue bits clinging to the surface. Don't go overboard with the pressure because you might damage the carpet or mush the wet glue deeper. Be cautious while you are rubbing the carpet fabric not to spread the glue around and out of reach.
Step 5: Blot & Dry
The final step is to blot the affected area using a fresh cloth to absorb all the watery bits and the remaining glue. Make sure you air-dry the carpet once you are done.
You may need to repeat the steps of applying your mixed solution, rubbing, and blotting several times. This is normal and to be expected and nothing to be frustrated about.
How to Get Glue Off a Carpet Using Acetone
If you are wondering about other ways of how to get glue off a carpet, you can try out acetone, which you might already have in your home in nail polish remover or a can of it stashed in the garage. It works both on fresh spills and with harsh, dried glue on carpet material. It's also perfect for getting nail polish off of a wall, too.
Step 1: Scrape or Dab
This first step is crucial because you might have either dried glue or a fresh spill on the surface. For dry bits, take a knife and gently scrape the bits from the surface without cutting the fibers.
For fresh adhesive, take a clean cloth and press on the glue until it comes off. If there's enough of it, try to ladle it out of the carpet using a plastic spoon you can wipe off.
Step 2: Apply Acetone
Soak a cotton ball with acetone solution and dab it on the affected area. Keep repeating this until you see the glue loosen up. Remember to keep using new cotton balls, as it will dry fast when it absorbs the glue, and you don't want to spread the glue around inadvertently. Ventilate the home with fans and open the doors and windows if needed if your home smells like acetone.
Step 3: Dry the Carpet
Now you should have removed all the glue that was stuck on the carpet. Once you're done, take a dry towel and pat it on the surface again to ensure it's completely dry before use. You may decide you want to rinse it with a little bit of warm water to help remove any leftover acetone, though it should evaporate.
Getting Glue Out of Carpet With Ammonia
Ammonia solution is very potent in removing different kinds of stains. So glue stains that have hardened over time won't be an issue. If the previous methods fail to eliminate the glue from the carpet, then try out the ammonia treatment in the following way.
Step 1: Create the Mixture
First, you need to come up with a solution to apply to the hard glue. Take a teaspoon of ammonia and add it to one cup of water and mix well.
Step 2: Apply the Mixture
Now, wear hand gloves and take a clean cloth to soak it in the solution you created. After that, you must blot on the surface to allow the cloth to absorb all the glue. Keep doing it until every bit comes off.
Step 3: Repeat & Clean the Surface
Hardened glue can be tricky to remove in one go. We advise you to repeat the process and be patient about it. Repetition is crucial in how to get glue out of carpet completely. Ammonia treatment works in the majority of cases. After you are done, make sure to dab the area with a clean cloth to remove the excess ammonia.
How to Get Dried Glue Out of Carpet With an Iron
Were you surprised when you saw the iron part? Don't be! Just like you iron a cloth, carpets can be ironed if you follow proper instructions. Most importantly, ironing can help remove glue from thicker mats by making it soft again.
When all the other processes fail, you can supply a little heat to remove the dried glue. This is how to get chocolate out of carpet, or at least one of the ways. It also effective in helping soak mustard out of carpet.
Step 1: Scrape the Surface
Take a knife and scrape the spilled glue from the carpet top. Go on gently, and don't stab the carpet, as it will ruin the fibers. Remove as much glue as you possibly can by using the knife first.
Step 2: Prepare for Ironing
Don't you dare put the iron directly on the glue; it might backfire. You don't want glue on your iron cooking and sending out fumes, and you don't want to burn your carpet. First, put a clean cloth on top of the glue before you proceed.
Step 3: Press the Iron
Now it's time to apply some heat over the glue. Thoroughly press the iron over the cloth, and this will allow the glue to soften and stick to the cloth. If your cloth is too thin, fold it over a few times. You need enough cloth material to soak up the glue.
Always make sure you use medium heat on a steam iron for the best results. When you apply heat, the glue should transfer from the carpet area to the cloth you used. With the heat too low it won't melt the glue, and with it too high you risk cooking it or pushing it deeper into the fibers.
Step 4: Final Cleaning
When all the glue has been removed, the next thing to do is make sure the carpet is fully clean and free from any hidden bits of glue. Use water and gentle soap to remove the remaining bits. Air-dry the carpet, and it should be immaculate once again.
Ready-Made Products to Remove Glue From Carpet
When you scour the internet or go to the store to purchase adhesive removers, you will find numerous products that offer the safe removal of gums, crayons, wax, glue, etc. We recommend Goo Gone as the most effective, satisfying, and affordable adhesive remover.
To use such products, follow the process below:
- Place a small amount of the adhesive remover product on a fresh cloth.
- Then, mildly blot the affected area using the solution-soaked cloth. This should conveniently pick out the glue residue from the carpet.
- Now proceed to clean the carpet further. Take a cloth, soak it in soapy water, and dab the working area a few times.
This blotting technique will efface any remaining solution from the carpet. Make sure to wipe and dry the carpet before putting it to use.
Sometimes what you discover is the glue becomes soft and gummy and can be rolled into a clumps that can then be picked out of the carpet, rather than expecting it to dissolve.
Frequently Asked Questions
There's a few questions that inevitably come up during discussion about getting glue out of carpet. Let's cover those quickly as you may have wondered about them, too.
How to Remove Dried Hot Glue From Carpet?
The ideal way to remove dried hot glue is to use the ironing technique. Take a clean cloth, put it over the affected area, and gently press the medium-heat iron to loosen the glue. Let it cool off, and then remove the cloth; this should take off the dried glue successfully.
Don't try to cut the glue out as you will also cut the carpet fibers out and leave a visible dent in your rug by the time you're finished. You can try to make your carpet fluffy again to hide it but if the fibers aren't there, then there's nothing to fluff in the nap.
What's the Best Way to Dissolve Glue From Fabric?
You can use acetone to dissolve glue from a carpet fabric with ease. Nail polish remover is a common product that contains acetone.
Are Ready-Made Products Like Goo Gone Safe for Carpets?
Yes, Goo Gone is made to remove adhesive from all potential surfaces such as fabric, carpet, sealed stone, glass, wood, etc. Make sure to avoid using such products on leather or silk surfaces.
Some Common Types of Glue That Get Spilled on Carpet
Before you get started, it is wise to know what types of glue have tarnished your precious flooring material. Some common glues to deal with are:
- Craft glue
- PVC glue
- Wood glue
- Gorilla glue
- Hair glue
- Hot glue
You simply cannot use one method to eliminate every possible glue. You have to follow different procedures, which we've talked about in the previous sections.
That’s How to Get Glue Out of Carpet!
Worried about the spilled glue on your favorite flooring material? No time to worry because glue stains are removable if you know tips and tricks on how to get glue off a carpet.
Our preferred method is the vinegar treatment. If you apply vinegar to hard glue, it will dissolve the unwanted substance effectively. Give it 3-5 minutes to work and see the result yourself.
We have had several procedures listed above to tackle glue stains. Give it a read and see what works for you. The next time someone spills glue in your home, don't burst out in frustration. Chill out! You now know how to get glue out of carpet