How to Get Gorilla Glue off Hands

Co-authored by Alessandra Mendes

Last Updated: July 15, 2024 Approved

Gorilla glue is one of the most difficult glues to remove, as it cures quickly and strongly. Exfoliation and oil are the key to removing it once it dries, but it may not be 100% successful. Stronger gorilla glue products or glue that has had time to fully cure may need to be left to slough off on its own, but this should not cause harm as a one-time occurrence.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Removing Dry Gorilla Glue

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1
Exfoliate. Use a knife-sharpening stone, pumice stone, or other gritty or rough material to scrub your skin. Use a strong but slow motion to avoid tearing your skin, and alternate by rubbing with your fingers to prevent friction burns. Attempt this for several minutes, then move on if the glue shows no sign of balling up or peeling off.^{[1]
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- If nothing else is available, use a scrap of wood or a thick index card.
2
Apply oil. Rub one of the following oil-based materials onto your hands for several minutes:
- Hand lotion, olive oil, sunflower oil, or baby oil are all gentle on skin. Increase the effectiveness by heating it for about 10 seconds in the microwave, and/or by mixing in a pinch of salt to add friction.
- Lip gloss, lip balm, petroleum jelly (Vaseline), nonstick cooking spray, or oil-based makeup removers are additional options. Also Argan oil with raw Shea oil is a very good solvent.
- Polyglycol body lotion may be extra effective.^{[2]
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Use a blunt butter knife or your fingernails to scrape away at the edge of the glue, while it is still oily. Avoid sharp blades, which may "succeed" by cutting off your protective outer layer of skin.
4
Rub with citrus. Some people report success when rubbing slices of lemon or lime on the glue, or rubbing with a citrus oil or skin-safe citrus-based cleaner.^{[3]
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- This method may sting if the gorilla glue or exfoliation has caused dry, cracked, or torn skin.
5
Scrub with a homemade mixture. Wipe off your hand of the previous ointment, then track down the ingredients for a potentially more effective mixture. Industrial users of MDI, the bonding ingredient in Gorilla Glue, use the following mixture to clean up spills:
- Washing soda / soda ash (5 to 10%)
- Liquid detergent (0.2 to 2%)
- Water (add to reach 100%)
6
Wait for a few days. The glue will wear off along with your regular skin replacement, with the stain fading completely in about four or five days. Waiting is recommended over using harsh chemicals, which are often ineffective and may damage skin.
- Keep your hands moisturized with lotion during this wait, as gorilla glue can cause dry or cracked skin.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Removing Tacky Gorilla Glue

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Wipe with a dry cloth or paper towel as soon as the glue spill occurs. If you catch it within a couple minutes, you may be able to remove all the glue.
2
Wash with soap. Gorilla glue hardens when in contact with water, so this won't be 100% successful unless you catch the glue immediately. Wash with soap and plenty of water.^{[4]
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- Bar soap will provide additional friction, but liquid soap may be more powerful. If using liquid soap, consider dish-washing soap instead of hand soap, unless you have sensitive skin.
- Try cleaning the area with hydrogen peroxide to break down the glue.

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Tips

To remove the glue from skin, wet a dryer sheet and massage into skin. It will be gone in about 30 minutes.

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Helpful 53 Not Helpful 14
Store a box of disposable gloves next to your gorilla glue to jog your memory during the next craft project.

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It is a good idea to put a protective cover under where you are using the glue - this protects the surface!

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Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.

I used the scubby part of a sponge on wet hands before the glue dried. This worked well but left some that dried. I then used baking soda on wet hands and just scraped with my nails and the dried glue came right off!
Keep a bottle of mineral oil next to the sink. Rub onto the glued areas, then wash well with soap and water.
Finger nail polish works great for removing Gorilla glue from hands and fingers.

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Warnings

Alcohol, acetone, or other solvents are not recommended. These can remove your natural skin oils, which can increase the strength of the glue bond. Although soaking your hands in these solvents can be effective, repeated contact can cause skin or organ damage.

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Repeated gluing can wear through your hard outer layer of skin. This can result in increased sensitivity and pain from temperature and touch.

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Using baking soda and vinegar is not recommended, as it can finish the curing process and make the glue bond stronger.^{[5]
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