Hair glue is difficult to get out of clothes since it is not water-soluble and dries quickly on natural fabrics such as cotton or silk. In addition, hairdressing with hair glue is messy, even if you get a professional to apply it.
It’s likely that, even after the job is done, pieces of fallen glue will come loose from your hair and land on your clothing. This article will discuss several methods for removing hair glue. But first of all, what is hair glue?
Hair glue is a sticky substance that temporarily holds artificial hair extensions in place. Unlike paper-thin hairspray, it can be used with any type of hair, from short and straight to long and curly or wavy.
Hair glue is an adhesive made from water, glycerin, and an alcohol-based solution. It is used to attach hairpieces or wig extensions to the scalp. It can be purchased at beauty supply stores or online.
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Possible Causes of Hair Glue on Clothes
Hair glue is used to fix wigs and hair extensions to the scalp. This adhesive can quickly get onto clothes, but it is also hard to remove once it sticks. Here are some of the most common ways hair glue gets on clothes:
- The glue may stain clothes if your hair is not dried correctly after applying the adhesive. For example, leaving the hair in direct sunlight will cause it to dry and bond to any material that touches it.
- Some people have experienced their clothes getting messy from the hair glue if they are not careful to dry their hair before applying it.
- Hair glue can stain clothing if it gets on your skin and then transfers to the fabric. Be careful when applying it, and ensure you do not touch the adhesive directly with your fingers.
Ways to Remove Hair Glue from Clothes
It is not fun to have your clothes ruined by hair glue. However, if you have ever tried removing glue from clothing, you know how frustrating that experience can be. Here, we will explain six easy ways to effectively eliminate hair glue from your clothes.
Things you need:
- Latex gloves
- Laundry detergent
- A blunt knife or a spoon
- Toothbrush
- Cotton swab
- White vinegar
- Stained cloth
- Nail polish/stain remover
- Rubbing alcohol
Below are the six easy ways to get rid of hair glue from your clothes;
1. Removing Hair Glue with Nail Polish Remover
One of the most common ways to get rid of glue stains on clothes is to use a nail polish remover. Follow these steps to achieve maximum results on your glue-stained cloth;
- Scrape any excess glue from your fabric with a blunt knife
- Pour a little nail polish on a cloth and blot the stain with a clean, dry cloth until the bond is gone.
- Retake the fabric and press it against the glue-stained area to soak up as much of the stain remover as possible.
- Remove any remaining glue with a sponge or soft-bristled toothbrush.
- Rinse the cloth with warm water
- Leave the cloth to dry.
2. Remove Hair Glue by Washing the Garment
Washing a stained garment is one of the easiest ways to get rid of stains. However, for hair glue stains on clothing, follow the instructions on the garment’s care tag to avoid damaging the fabric. Follow these steps to rid your cloth of hair-glue stains;
- Scrape any excess glue from your fabric with a blunt knife
- Apply a laundry pretreatment stain remover by spraying it directly on the fabric.
- Massage the stain remover into the stain, then rinse the cloth with cold water.
- Machine-wash the garment in either warm or cold water, depending on what is stated on the care tag. This process removes the final residue after step 3
- If the stain persists on the garment, repeat the wash cycle.
- Leave the cloth to dry
3. Removing the Hair Glue with Laundry Detergent
Not all laundry detergents can effectively eliminate hair glue stains. To get rid of the stain, you must select the right kind of detergent and follow the procedures below;
- Clear off as much glue as possible from the stained cloth using a blunt knife or spoon.
- Dab the glue-stained area with a dry, clean cloth.
- In a cup of warm water, combine a teaspoon of mild laundry detergent.
- Dip a toothbrush in your mixture and lightly scrub the affected area for several minutes until the stain is removed
- Rinse the fabric and allow it to air dry
4. Removing Hair Glue with White Vinegar
White vinegar contains a gentle acid with the same pH level as human hair. It is a safe and non-damaging option for removing hair glue. Follow the steps listed below to get the glue off your clothes;
- Scrape any excess glue from your fabric with a blunt knife
- To remove the extra glue, dab the affected area with a dry, clean cloth.
- Place two tablespoons of white vinegar in the microwave (set it for 15 seconds)
- Use the toothbrush to brush vinegar onto the glue-affected area. This should make the glue easier to remove by softening it.
- Wipe the glue-stained area with a clean damp cloth.
- Rinse the cloth and leave it to dry
5. Removing Hair Glue with Rubbing Alcohol
While alcohol is not the mildest method to get rid of hair glue on your clothes, it is one of the most effective ways. Because of the chemical’s harshness, it also works best for stains that cannot be removed immediately.
When applying alcohol to hair glue stains, it is advisable to use a latex glove and follow these procedures:
- Scrape any excess glue from your fabric with a blunt knife
- Dab the affected area with a dry, clean cloth to remove the excess.
- Fill a bowl with warm water and add about one teaspoon of rubbing alcohol.
- Dip the affected item into the mixture and allow it to soak for about 15 minutes before rinsing in cold water. OR
- Use a cotton ball soaked in the alcohol-water solution to dab the affected area gently.
- Rinse the clothing item one more time with cold water to remove any residue left behind by the alcohol or glue,
- Then leave the cloth to dry completely.
6. Removing Hair Glue from Cloth with Acetone
One of the best methods for removing acrylic hair extension glue is acetone. You need to take extra precautions with this method because of its harsh tone. Following the steps below will prevent further damage to your cloth and have the stains out in no time:
- Scrape off as much glue as possible using a blunt knife.
- Blot the affected area with a dry, clean cloth to remove the excess adhesive.
- Pour the acetone into the fabric and rub it with your fingers until the glue is dissolved.
- Place the material in a plastic bag, tie it closed, and place it in the freezer for about 15 minutes.
- Remove the fabric from the freezer and let it sit for about five minutes before working on it again.
- Rinse the cloth with cold water, and detergent, then leave the material to dry completely.
NOTE: It is important to wear latex gloves when handling acetone so it does not irritate your fingers. Also, keep in mind to inspect the cloth for glue stains after washing. If more stains are left, let the fabric dry before repeating this process.
Why is Hair Glue Challenging to Get Out of Clothes?
Hair glue is often challenging to remove from clothes because it is an oil-based adhesive. This means that the glue doesn’t wash out quickly, and you may need to use some solvent or detergent to get all the bonds out of your shirt, jacket, or other clothing items.
Because hair glue is made with oil, you should avoid using water on the bond when removing it from your clothes. Instead, to remove hair glue from clothing, it’s best to use a solvent-based product such as acetone or nail polish remover.
This will break down the chemical bonds between the adhesive and your clothes so that you can get rid of them more easily. If this doesn’t work, try using warm water instead. This may help loosen the glue or make it easier to thoroughly wash it out.
You also should not apply direct heat while removing hair glue from clothing because this could damage your items. Instead, after removing all traces of hair glue from your dress, you should follow up with a pretreatment treatment so no more glue can attach itself permanently.
Ways to Prevent Hair Glue from Getting On Your Clothes
There are a few ways to prevent hair glue from getting on your clothes. First, use a hair net when styling or doing your makeup. You can also wear clothes that are easy to remove, so they don’t get ruined by glue.
Take your time applying the product and then rinsing it before putting on something new. If this isn’t possible, use lots of hairsprays. The more layers there are between the glue and whatever material is being held together, the better chance there will be that nothing stains your clothes.
Another option would be using a quick-drying spray after applying hair pins or clips. These products contain ingredients like acrylates copolymers, which act as temporary adhesives and evaporate quickly once removed from contact with moisture or water molecules within minutes of application. This will help the hair glue stick faster and reduce the chance of it staining your clothes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hair Glue Harmful to Clothes?
Hair glue is not considered harmful to clothing as long as it’s not left on for long periods. However, if you accidentally get some on your clothes and then wash them with a detergent that isn’t meant for delicate fabrics (like a bar of all-purpose laundry soap), it could cause damage to your fabric.
How Long Does it take to get Hair Glue out of Clothes?
Unfortunately, there isn’t an exact answer here. It depends on how much glue was applied initially, what fabric your cloth is made of, and how many hours went into applying the glue without washing it off first.
Can I use any Hair-glue Removal Method for all kinds of Fabric?
Using the same removal method for all kinds of fabric might lead to further damage to your clothes because some materials are more delicate than others. So instead, you can use a gentle shampoo and conditioner designed specifically for colored fabrics. Also, read the care label on your clothes to determine the type of washing required.
Final Words
Hair glue is waterproof and can be challenging to get rid of. But one of the methods above should work for you and eliminate the stains.
Acidic solvents and warm water will dissolve the hair glue on fabrics that have been stained for extended periods. This will remove any residual adhesive that might be left on the material.
However, if there’s still some residue left after applying the solvent and water, as the last option, you can soak your cloth in salty or vinegar water for 1 to 2 hours before scrubbing the glue stain. This will ensure that the glue stain will be weakened to a great degree and will be easy to remove.
Also, while you remove the excess glue from your cloth or scrub with a toothbrush, be sure that you do not scrub too hard, or you’ll leave scratches behind. Finally, ensure to rinse thoroughly before drying off your clothing.
If you have tried out the tips in this article and the stain proves stubborn, it would be time to call the professionals to help remove it. If you have any further questions, please leave them in the comments section.