How to remove hot glue: The hottest tips

Something went wrong while using your hot glue gun? Get unstuck using our easy-to-follow guide on how to remove hot glue from carpets, fabrics, and stucco.

Something went wrong while using your hot glue gun? Get unstuck using our easy-to-follow guide on how to remove hot glue from carpets, fabrics, and stucco.

How to remove hot glue from fabrics

Whether you need to make a repair or want to get arty and crafty, hot glue is the secret weapon you never knew you needed. But the properties that make this type of adhesive so handy and versatile can also lead to problems – especially when you want to remove it from unwanted places. But don’t stress, we’ve got you covered with this simple guide. Here’s how to remove hot glue from fabrics using common household items.

1. Freeze it off. Put the garment in the freezer. If it’s too big to fit, place an ice-pack on the affected area. After about 30 minutes, the glue should have hardened enough to gently peel from the fabric.
2. Soak it off. Saturate a cotton bud with rubbing alcohol and gently brush the dried glue spot, working your way from the outside in. The alcohol will weaken the adhesive, which allows you to lift the edge and peel the dried glue off the fabric.

How to remove hot glue from carpets and rugs

Carpets and rugs require a different approach, as they’re usually too big to fit in the freezer and alcohol can damage more delicate materials. Instead, grab a clean cloth, a hot iron and carefully follow these steps:

1. Place the cloth over the stained area of the carpet.
2. Once the iron is hot, position the tip of the iron on the cloth and lightly press down. This will melt the glue into the cloth.
3. Wait until it cools, and then lift up the cloth to remove the glue from the carpet. You might have to repeat this process. Tip: make sure you don’t rub the iron back and forth – that’ll just spread the glue around even more!

Resist the urge to rub the glue away. This will only push the adhesive deeper into the fibres of the carpet or rug, making it even more difficult to remove. Wait for the glue to dry before trying to remove it safely.

How to remove hot glue from stucco

Hot glue is a great adhesive to use on brick and stucco surfaces. In fact, you can use hot glue to straighten wonky picture frames and hang lightweight objects like holiday lights on the outside of your home during the festive season. When you’re ready to take them down, simply follow these steps to remove hot glue from stucco.

What you’ll need:

• cotton bud or cotton ball
• rubbing alcohol
• scraper
• blow dryer

1. Soak a cotton bud or ball in rubbing alcohol and gently rub the edges of the dried glue spot.
2. Scrape off the glue with a scraper.
3. If that doesn’t work, try heating the area with a blow dryer, which will soften the glue enough to be scraped off.

Before you use a hot glue gun on stucco, make sure the material can withstand high-temperature adhesives. You shouldn’t have much trouble with solid stucco, but some thin stuccos – especially those with styrofoam backing – may melt under hot glue. To check your stucco’s compatibility simply knock on the surface and take note of the feel and sound before proceeding.