The best way to remove Gorilla Glue from the skin of your hands and fingers is by using professional-strength hand cleaners. Hand wipes designed for use by contractors and mechanics are very efficient at removing glue. Scrubbing hand cleaners that contain crushed pumice stone are also extremely effective. If you only have household items, rub cooking oil onto your skin in areas where the glue is stuck, allow it to soak for 30 minutes, then wash your hands. If dried-on glue is very stubborn, follow up by gently separating the glue from your skin using the dull side of a butter knife.
5 Ways to Get Gorilla Glue Off Your Fingers
Even if it is allowed to fully dry, Gorilla Glue will come off your skin. You can use specially-designed hand cleansers to remove Gorilla Glue, as well as alternative measures. Below are the best ways to get Gorilla Glue off your hands and fingers.
Professional-Strength Hand Wipes
Contractors who work with adhesives, grease, oil, and sealants for a living use specially-made hand wipes to remove the toughest glue from their hands. This solution will also work extremely well for you. These products are safe on skin and great for removing Gorilla Glue.
- These hand-cleaner wipes are excellent for getting Gorilla Glue off your fingers.
- Use the textured side of the wipe to remove the most stubborn Gorilla Glue.
- The smooth side of the wipe is great for removing glue without irritating your skin.
The hand wipes we recommend have a textured side and a smooth side. Gently use the textured side of the wipe to scrub Gorilla Glue off your skin without causing skin damage or irritation. Then, use the smooth side of the wipe to clean any glue residue off your fingers.
Hand Cleaner with Pumice Stone
Pumice stone is a great natural exfoliant that can scrub away Gorilla Glue and other adhesives without damaging your skin. For the best results, use a hand cleaner that contains bits of crushed pumice stone. It will also be engineered with solvents that help to remove glue from skin.
- This hand cleaner contains pumice and citrus—which are both great for removing Gorilla Glue from skin.
- Dispense a palm-sized portion of hand cleaner into your hands
- Scrub gently with the pumice hand cleaner to remove the Gorilla Glue from your fingers.
- Wash your hands with soap and warm water to remove the pumice cleaner and any remaining glue.
If you don’t have a pumice stone hand cleaner in your home, you can use a pumice stone from your shower, along with soap and water. When using a pumice stone, scrub gently in a circular motion. Resist the urge to scrub aggressively—this could result in irritated, damaged skin.
Cooking Oil
Several types of cooking oil, such as olive oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil can be used to remove gorilla glue from your hand. This is a great fix when you don’t have specialized hand cleaners. To use cooking oil in this way, follow our steps:
- Apply a small amount of cooking oil onto your fingers, on and around the Gorilla Glue.
- Gently rub the oil into your skin using a circular motion.
- Put on a pair of disposable gloves.
- Keep the gloves on for 30 minutes to allow the oil to soak into your skin.
- Remove the gloves and wash your hands with warm, soapy water.
Allowing the cooking oil to soak into your skin for 30 minutes helps to break down the bond between the Gorilla Glue and your skin. Also, since natural oils are safe for skin, this is a chemical-free way to remove glue from your fingers.
A Blunt Edge
If you have stubborn, dried-on Gorilla Glue on your fingers, you can remove it by using a blunt piece of metal, such as a butter knife or the dull side of a knife blade. Remember to be extremely careful with this process in order to avoid cutting or scraping your skin.
- To remove dried gorilla glue from your fingers, begin by soaking your skin with cooking oil, as described above.
- Remove dried sections of glue by using a butter knife or dull piece of metal to gently separate the glue from your skin.
- Work slowly. Avoid scraping or tearing the glue from your skin quickly.
By working slowly and carefully, you can remove pieces of dried-on glue from your skin without causing any cuts or tears in your skin. Just make sure to resist the urge to pull on stubborn pieces of glue. It’s best to work slowly and remove the glue bit by bit.
Citrus
Citrus-based soaps, as well as citrus skin cleansers with crushed pumice stone are great for removing glue from your fingers. The natural compounds in citrus juice help to break down adhesives. If you don’t have any citrus soaps around the house, you can use a lemon to remove Gorilla Glue from your fingers. Here’s how:
- Cut a lemon or lime into wedges.
- Rub the lemon wedge onto the Gorilla Glue on your fingers.Â
- Continue rubbing until the glue begins to loosen its hold.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap to remove the loosened glue.
Lemon juice is great for breaking down glue, but it can sting irritated, cracked, or dry skin. So, be gentle when removing the glue to prevent skin damage. Harsh scrubbing is not required or recommended.
Will Rubbing Alcohol Remove Gorilla Glue From Skin?
Rubbing alcohol does help to break down adhesives, so it can help remove Gorilla Glue from your skin. However, you should not use large amounts of rubbing alcohol on your skin or allow your hands to soak in rubbing alcohol. Dab a small portion of rubbing alcohol onto the glue with a cotton ball to remove residue. For larger amounts of glue use a different, safer method. Too much rubbing alcohol on your skin can cause dry, red, cracked, and damaged skin.
Does Peroxide Remove Gorilla Glue From Your Hands?
Peroxide can be effective at removing Gorilla Glue. It’s best to douse a cloth or cotton ball with peroxide and use it to wipe away the glue. Like rubbing alcohol, peroxide is harsh and can irritate your skin, so use it in small amounts only. It’s better to use more gentle, natural solutions to avoid skin irritation.
How Do You Get Dried Gorilla Glue Off Your Fingers?
Getting Gorilla Glue off your fingers can be done with specialized cleansers or with household items. The best ways to remove Gorilla Glue from skin are:
- Scrub your hands with a hand cleaner wipe designed for contractors and professionals.
- Dispense hand cleanser containing crushed pumice stone into your hands, then scrub to remove the Gorilla Glue.
- Soak your hands with cooking oil to loosen the glue’s hold, then wash away the glue with soap and water.
- Use a blunt knife to gently separate dried-on glue from your skin—this works best if you soak with cooking oil before attempting.
- Rub lime or lemon on your hands to break down the glue. Then, wash with soapy water to remove stubborn glue.
These tactics are effective and skin-safe. Although rubbing alcohol and peroxide can help to remove Gorilla Glue, they can also cause skin irritation. So, it’s best to try a safer method instead.