Glue is extra annoying when we accidentally get it on our clothes, hands, or paper. If we act fast and with the right tools, removing glue would not be that tricky. But, if it has dried up, the task might require some effort.
There are many ways to remove the adhesive residue left over after gluing things down. And while some methods may take longer than others, they will all work.
Here’s how to remove glue off papers using household tools and materials:
How do you Separate Glue from Paper?
Things You Need to Prepare
- Paper towels
- Toothpaste (or baking soda)
- Rubbing alcohol
- Dishwashing liquid (or laundry detergent)
Method One: Using Toothpaste or Baking Soda
You should lay down the paper and gather all the items on a clean table. Then, follow the steps below:
- Using a clean, dry soft cloth or paper towel, rub the area of the paper with adhesive residue
- Keep repeating this process until you see that there is no more stickiness left on the surface of your paper
- Paste your toothbrush with a small amount of baking soda, then brush the area. Allow it to dry before wiping off with paper towels. Just dab some onto the affected area, then wipe thoroughly using a moistened washcloth
- When finished, blot away any excess moisture using new pieces of white tissue before allowing it to air dry completely at room temperature
- Once dried, check whether all traces of the glue have been removed. If not, repeat the steps until satisfied
Method Two: Use Rubbing Alcohol
Put some rubbing alcohol onto a cotton ball or tissue and wipe over the glue residue until it is deleted.
Repeat if necessary.
Method Three: Clean Glue Off With Laundry Detergent
Add several drops of dishwashing liquid into just enough warm water to mix into a soapy solution.
Dip the paper towel into the soapy water and wipe off the glue. If needed, repeat until all of the residues are gone.
How to Remove Common Types of adhesive?
Superglue:
We can use acetone to dissolve super glue. We might need to wear gloves when handling this type of adhesive.
- We can put drops onto a cotton ball and hold it against the glued surface for about 30 seconds
- Then, wipe the surface clean with another cotton ball soaked in acetone. Make sure not to get any on your skin as it will cause irritation
Glue Stick:
For non-porous surfaces like glass or metal, scrape off as much glue as possible using a blunt object like a credit card.
Then, put some cooking oil onto a paper towel and wipe away the remaining glue residue.
Sticky Tape:
Put on rubber gloves before peeling off as much of the sticky material as possible with your fingers or tweezers. Liquid dishwashing detergent can then be applied to remove any leftover adhesive.
White Glue (School Glues):
Liquids like nail polish remover will work best for dissolving white school glue.
- Rub it into the area using cotton balls until all residues are gone
- If this method does not work, try spreading peanut butter over stuck areas and allowing it to sit overnight before wiping clean with warm water
Hot Melt/Tape Gun:
- Immerse in cold water for a few minutes
- Then, use a putty knife or chisel to remove the glue
- If that doesn’t work, try using a hairdryer on the “hot” setting to heat the glue and make it more pliable so you can pull it off
Masking tape:
- Apply some petroleum jelly over the adhesive and let sit for about 30 minutes. After that, slowly pull the tape off of the surface.
- If this does not work, apply heat from a hair dryer until softened and repeat the previous step.
It is important to note that if any of these methods cause damage to the paper’s surface, such as ripping, tearing, or leaving behind indentations, then you can try another method. You can rub an ice cube over the area, which will freeze the paper fibers and make them less likely to tear.
Conclusion
You can use a few simple tricks to remove glue from papers without damaging the paper’s surface.
It is best to try these methods in order, starting with the most gentle and working your way up if none work for you. When you are finished, make sure that you clean up after yourself, so your workspace doesn’t look like a mess.