How to Remove Glue Off Polyester Fiber

Glue is easiest to remove from polyester fiber when it is still wet.

This makes it more difficult to remove glue from polyester fabrics. Learning how to remove glue off polyester fiber can mean the difference between saving or throwing away a favorite garment.

1. Boil some water in a kettle, or in a pan on your stove. Pour a little of the boiling water onto the area of the polyester fiber that is covered in glue. Rub the glue off with a cloth or sponge once it liquefies, if possible.

2. Place the polyester fiber in the freezer. Wait ten minutes for the glue on the fiber to freeze. Remove the polyester from the freezer and scrape the frozen glue away with a blunt object such as a butter knife or credit card.

3. Apply nail polish remover to a wad of cotton wool. Dab the wad on the glue to dampen it and let the acetone in the nail polish remover break down the bonds in the glue. Wipe the wad across the glue to remove it. When the glue begins to stick to the cotton wool, discard it and use a clean wad of cotton.

Tip

It is easier to remove glue off polyester fiber when the glue is still wet. This is because the solvent that keeps the glue sticky and applicable to surfaces is still at least partly present. Once the solvent evaporates, the glue bonds to the fiber and becomes difficult to remove. When wet, most glues will simply wipe away onto a cloth.

Warning

Heat can cause polyester fiber to shrink, so be careful when using boiling water. Adding too much boiling water will overheat the polyester and cause the wetted portion to shrink slightly, giving the material a wrinkled effect. Do not apply heat with an iron, as it can deform or burn the fabric.