How to Remove Glue from Carpet – Wet, Dry, Wood, Hot Glue or Slime

Finding glue on your carpet can be frustrating and upsetting. Still, by knowing how to clean the spill, you can take it in stride. Thus equipped, you can erase the splotch, redeeming your carpet’s beauty.

I want to help you breeze through rug casualties with glue. From this post, you’ll gain ways to lift seven kinds of sticky products from carpeting. Seeing each mess resolve will have you smiling!

Perfect Timing

It’s best to wipe up glue the moment it lands on your rug. There are three reasons why

Once an adhesive dries, it grips your carpet fibers, as you’d expect from glue. The goop can also leave a glaring mark. Then, over time, the stain will gather dirt, making it darker and harder to remove.

So, let’s launch our discussion with the easiest type of mess to clean.

Removing Fresh Wet Glue

The following method works for most adhesives. Still, it’s not suitable for hot glue, covered later in this post.

Supplies

• – paper towel roll
• – medium-sized bowl
• – distilled white vinegar
• – liquid dish soap
• – (2) old dishcloths

Step by Step Process

1. First, scurry to your rug with a roll of paper towels. Working quickly, press a sheet of toweling into the glue, absorbing it. Repeat with additional paper towels, sopping up any remaining glue.

2. Using the bowl, mix a cup of warm water, two tablespoons of vinegar, and a teaspoon of liquid dish soap. Dip a cloth in the solution, dabbing the blotch. Then, rinse the dishcloth thoroughly with warm water.

3. Return to the spot with the wet towel, mopping up the remaining vinegar. Next, dry the area with a clean cloth.

Now, since you had perfect timing, your carpet is stain-free!

Removing Dried Super Glue

“Super Glue,” also called “Crazy Glue,” is an acrylic resin, hardening fast. So, to lift the adhesive, you need powerful solvents, as below.

Supplies

• – cotton ball
• – nail polish remover, acetone-based
• – pure ammonia
• – medium-sized bowl
• – (3) clean, white dishcloths

Precaution

Acetone can damage carpet fibers, causing them to melt, fade, or bleed. So, before targeting the glue with nail polish remover, do a patch test. Choose a hidden section of carpet, perhaps a closet floor.

Did the rug fare poorly? In that case, consult a professional carpet cleaner. Yet, if your rug passed the test, pursue the spot yourself.

Step by Step Process

1. Soak a cotton ball in the nail polish remover, dabbing the stain with it. The acetone will dissolve the glue. Keep blotting the rug until the cotton ball dries completely.

2. Next, using a bowl, mix a cup of warm water with a teaspoon of pure ammonia. After dipping a white cloth in the solution, blot the discolored area. Gradually, the stain will move from the carpet to the fabric. Continue blotting until you lift the mark completely.

3. Then, saturate a clean cloth in a cup of warm water, wiping the treated area. Otherwise, any residual ammonia will ruin your rug.

4. Lightly press a clean dishcloth over the carpet, drying the fibers.

Next, congratulate yourself. You defied Super Glue!

Removing Dried Wood Glue

This adhesive has mega-strength, greater than wood itself! The glue can bear pressure between 3,600 to 4,000 pounds per square inch.

Thus, you need a hefty solvent to break it down. Enter white vinegar, forcing the glue to release its tenacious grip.

Supplies

• – plastic spray bottle
• – distilled white vinegar
• – (4) soft rags
• – liquid dish soap

Precaution

After making the spray, test it on a remote swatch of carpet, checking it a half-hour later. Did your rug hold up? If not, call a professional carpet cleaner. If so, full speed ahead!

Step by Step Process

1. Warm a cup of white vinegar on your stove. When steam starts rising from the liquid, turn off the heat. Then, pour the vinegar into your plastic spray bottle.

2. Mist the spot thoroughly, letting the vinegar sit for 30 minutes.

3. Once the glue softens, lightly pat the stain with a damp rag. Avoid rubbing the splotch. Otherwise, you’ll drive the wood glue deeper into your carpet.

4. Is there still a mild stain? If so, add a few drops of dish detergent to a cup of warm water, stirring well. Then, dip a clean rag in the soapy water, dabbing at the mark.

5. Wipe the carpet with another damp rag, removing any leftover soap and vinegar.

6. Blot your rug with a dry cloth, admiring your achievement.

You overpowered wood glue!

Removing Dried Hot Glue

Here’s a caveat. Before dealing with a hot glue spill, wait for it to dry. Otherwise, touching it will burn your fingers, even through a damp cloth. Plus, the glue will penetrate your rug.

So, allow hot glue to harden. Then, use the following method to extract the glop.

Supplies

• – household iron
• – several pieces of old fabric
• – cloth gloves

Step by Step Process

1. For the fabric, choose something you’re okay with tossing after use. That’s because you’ll transfer the glue to the material, marring it. Consider parting with an old T-shirt or another thin article of clothing.

2. Before handling your iron, put on gloves, protecting you from a skin burn. Then, cover the glue with the fabric swatch.

3. Set your iron to medium heat, waiting for it to warm. Then, gently place the iron on the cloth. Avoid ironing back and forth, as this will spread the mess.

4. As the hot glue melts, it will transfer to the fabric. Every few seconds, lift the material, checking your progress.

5. If adhesive covers the fabric, leaving some glue in your carpet, get more material. Then, keep melting and lifting the glue until it’s completely gone.

Note – Unfortunately, there’s a chance this method may fail. In that case, hire a carpet cleaning professional.

Removing Gorilla Glue

This multi-purpose adhesive withstands water, cold, and heat. Thus, Gorilla Glue doesn’t let go of carpet without a fight.

Wet Grip

Hopefully, you’ll see the glue before it dries. If so, refer to the cleaning strategy above for “Wet Glue.”

If you didn’t catch the goop in time, it’s nail polish remover to the rescue!

Dry Grip

• – cotton balls
• – nail polish remover, acetone-based
• – soft, clean cloth
• – dish detergent
• – putty knife

Precaution

Before treating the stain, do a patch test on a secluded piece of carpet. First, soak a cotton ball in nail polish remover, leaving it on the test area for five minutes.

Is it okay? If not, consult a carpet cleaning specialist. If your rug is fine, forge ahead!

Step by Step Process

1. Douse another cotton ball with nail polish remover, placing it on the Gorilla Glue. Let it soak in for five minutes.

2. Add a few drops of dish soap to a cup of warm water, mixing well. Then, dip a clean cloth in the soapy water, blotting the mark.

3. When the glue releases, gently scrape it off with a putty knife. If any adhesive remains, repeat this process.

Wow! Through your patience, you broke the fierce hold of Gorilla Glue!

Removing School Glue (Elmer’s)

One popular brand is Elmer’s Glue. As school glue is water-based, water helps to dissolve it, along with vinegar.

Supplies for Wet Glue

• – paper towels
• – medium-sized bowl
• – distilled white vinegar
• – dish detergent
• – (2) old dishcloths

Precaution

Since the methods below involve vinegar, test them on hidden carpet first. If the fibers hold up, continue as below. If not, call a carpet cleaning company for assistance.

Step by Step Process

1. Mop up the wet adhesive with paper towels, absorbing all the goop you can.

2. In the bowl, combine a teaspoon of dish detergent, two tablespoons of vinegar, and a cup of warm water. Dip a cloth in the mixture, dabbing the spot. Then, rinse the dishcloth thoroughly in warm water, squeezing out the excess.

3. Using the wet towel, wipe the vinegar residue. Then, dry the area with a clean cloth.

Supplies for Dried Glue

• – metal butter knife or spoon
• – medium-sized bowl
• – distilled white vinegar
• – dish detergent
• – (2) soft rags

Step by Step Process

1. Scrape off the crusty glue with a knife or spoon.

2. In the bowl, mix two tablespoons of vinegar, a teaspoon of dish soap, and a cup of warm water. Soak a rag with the solution, blotting the glue.

3. After rinsing the cloth in warm water, use it to absorb the leftover vinegar in your rug. Then, press a clean rag over the carpet, drying it.

Hey, that was easy!

Removing Slime

In store-bought slime, the main components are glue, borax, and water. Borax carries a risk of skin irritation and toxicity if ingested. So, trademarked slime can be hazardous for kids, especially toddlers.

For this reason, some parents make slime for their kids with safer ingredients. A popular recipe calls for school glue, saline solution, baking soda, and food coloring.

At any rate, don’t sweat over slime in your carpet. Both the store-bought and homemade versions are removable.

Supplies for Wet Slime

• – metal spoon
• – small plastic bag
• – distilled white vinegar
• – spray bottle
• – soft scrub brush
• – (2) rags
• – vacuum cleaner

Precaution

By now, you recall that vinegar can destroy carpet fibers. So, before using this spray, test it on a secluded carpet area. If the rug responds poorly, hire a professional cleaning company. If the carpet is okay, tackle the slime as follows.

Step by Step Process

1. Using your spoon or fingers, scoop the slime from your carpet into the plastic bag.

2. Mix 1/3 cup warm water and 2/3 cup vinegar in a spray bottle, shaking well. Then, mist the slime with the vinegar solution.

3. When the glob softens, gently scrub the spot with your brush.

4. Using a rag, blot the goop, extracting it. Continue spraying and blotting your carpet, removing the slime.

5. Next, rinse a clean rag in warm water. After wringing it out, wipe the vinegar solution from your carpet.

6. When the rug dries, vacuum the treated area.

Supplies for Dried Slime

• – ice pack
• – metal knife or spoon
• – small plastic bag
• – distilled white vinegar
• – spray bottle
• – soft scrub brush
• – (2) rags
• – vacuum cleaner

Step by Step Process

1. Most likely, the crust won’t budge unless you freeze it. So, place an ice pack on the slime, leaving it there until the blob solidifies, about 10 minutes.

2. Using a knife or spoon, gently scrape off the slime, dumping it in the plastic bag. Start at the perimeter of the stain, working toward the center.

3. If any film remains, follow the instructions above for wet slime removal.

Manipulating slime has several benefits for children, explained here. So, enjoy watching the kids play. You’re well-prepared for cleanup!

Professional Cleaning

As stated above, if a home remedy harms a test area or the glue won’t give, consult an expert carpet cleaner. Also, hire a carpet specialist for a large glue spill.

Professional cleaners have specialized equipment and products that can resolve tough glue problems. Plus, they advise when you can’t salvage a rug.

Vanishing Acts

Do you rely on certain adhesives for art or household projects? If so, consider stocking the particular supplies needed to address any future glue episodes.

You might keep the products in a “Carpet Rescue Box.” Then, tuck a copy of this article inside.

Glue accidents will be no match for you!

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes, not meant to replace professional carpet cleaning advice. To avoid glaring rug damage, always test the above methods on a remote carpet area. This site cannot be responsible for any harm to your flooring or carpet.