How to Remove Rubber Cement From Fabric
Rubber cement is a remarkable product used in household repair and crafting projects. It's true gift is the ability to adhere two non-porous materials together. Problems arise when this product ends up on clothes, upholstery or carpet fibers.
The use of soap and water alone for removal will leave remnants of the rubber cement behind. Even large spills are removable using the correct method and cleaning materials. Getting rid of rubber cement on fabric surfaces takes 30 minutes to an hour.
Things You Will Need
- Nail file
- Petroleum jelly
- Cotton swabs
- Laundry stain pre-treater
- Paper towels
- Rags
- Dry cleaning solvent
- Liquid dish washing soap
- White vinegar
- Absorbent towel
Tip
Clean all rubber cement stains quickly. The sooner the removal process begins, the better it is for all fabrics.
Warning
Wear gloves when using rubber cement and solvent cleaners. Keep the area well ventilated when using or cleaning up rubber cement. the fumes are toxic and flammable. The Starkey Chemical material Safety data Sheet states, "Vapors are heavier than air and may travel along the ground. This could cause ignition by pilot light, sparks, heaters, smoking, electric motor, static discharge or other ignition sources."
Removing Rubber Cement From Clothes
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Scrape off as much of the rubber cement as possible using a fingernail or nail file. The excess should ball up. Simply pull it off the clothing item and toss it in a trash receptacle.
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Rub petroleum jelly on the surface of the rubber cement stain. Wipe a cotton swab over the area to loosen more of the rubber cement. Toss the cotton swabs in the trash.
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Spray the clothing with a laundry stain pre-treater. Launder the item(s) as you normally would.
Removing Rubber Cement From Carpet Fibers
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Pull all of the rubber cement up from the carpet that you can using paper towels. place these in the trash.
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Blot the stain with a rag soaked in dry cleaning solvent. Only blot enough on to cover the stain.
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Mix 1 tsp. of liquid dish washing soap and 1 tsp. of white vinegar to 2/3 cup of water. Blot this mixture onto the rubber cement stain. Continue until the cleaning solution has completely penetrated the stain.
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Rinse the area using a rag dampened with clear water. Gently blot the spot until the soap is no longer visible. Dry by patting the area dry with an absorbent towel.
Removing Rubber Cement From Upholstery
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Scrape the loose rubber cement off using a plastic knife or spoon. Dispose of the utensil.
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Dab dry cleaning solvent on the stained area using a rag. Dab the dry cleaning solvent onto the surface until it is absorbed.
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Repeatedly blot the stain with the solvent until it disappears. Allow two hours for the upholstered surface to dry.
The Drip Cap
- Rubber cement is a remarkable product used in household repair and crafting projects.
- It's true gift is the ability to adhere two non-porous materials together.
- Getting rid of rubber cement on fabric surfaces takes 30 minutes to an hour.
- The excess should ball up.
- Dab dry cleaning solvent on the stained area using a rag.
- Repeatedly blot the stain with the solvent until it disappears.
References
Photo Credits
- dirty laundry image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
- dirty laundry image by jedphoto from Fotolia.com
- woolen carpet texture image by Tolbxela from Fotolia.com
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