The Best Way to Remove Glue From Wood

Don't cry over spilled glue. It can be removed from your wooden table.

Glue is used to bind, join or attach a wide range of materials. But sometimes that glue ends up where you don't want it to be. Being messy with a crafts, removing a price sticker, or being heavy-handed with the glue on a woodworking project doesn't mean that your wooden furniture is ruined forever. Glue can be removed from wood with a little elbow grease and a few common materials.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic scrape
• Warm water
• Liquid detergent
• Petroleum lubricant
• Rag
• Fine-grit sandpaper
• Mineral spirits

Instructions

Sticker Glue

1. Press your finger tip down on the sticker glue. Rub your finger across the glue in much the same manner as rolling rubber cement into a small ball. Work the sticker glue across the wood surface rolling into a small ball.

2. Mix a solution of warm water and mild detergent. Dab the sticker glue with the solution using a rag. Allow the solution to sit on the sticker glue for several minutes and once again use your finger to rub the glue from the wood surface.

3. Spray a petroleum lubricant onto the sticker glue on the wood surface. Spray the lubricant onto a rag to control over spray if desired.

4. Allow the lubricant to sit on the sticker glue for several minutes to penetrate. Remove the sticker glue with your finger tip, nail or a plastic scraper. Wipe the wood surface clean with a rag.

White Glue and Wood Glue

1. Scrape the dried glue with your finger nail or plastic scraper to remove as much as possible. Begin at the edge of the dried glue where it can be thinner.

2. Soak a clean rag in warm water and place the rag on the dried glue. Allow the warm rag to sit on the glue for several minutes so it can begin to soften. Do not leave the moist rag on the wood long enough for it to be damaged by the water.

3. Remove the rag and work the softened glue loose from the wood surface with your finger nail or plastic scraper.

4. Sand a larger area of dried wood glue with fine grit sandpaper. Work slowly so that the wood surface will not be damaged.

5. Pour a small amount of mineral spirits onto a rag. Dab the dried wood glue with the mineral spirits and allow it to sit for several minutes. Remove the softened wood glue with a plastic scraper.

References

• University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension: Removing Stickers and Labels
• Elmers Glue: Frequently Asked Questions