Faux leather is a popular material because it looks and feels like real leather but costs less. Faux leather is generally less difficult to care for but how do you remove glue from faux leather?
This article will cover how to remove glue from faux leather safely and easily so that your faux leather goods such as furniture, apparel stay in great condition.
So, how do you remove glue from faux leather? In brief, you can use warm water and mild dish soap to remove glues like white glue from faux leather. In the case of contact cement adhesives, you can use glue ball or pencil eraser to remove the glue from the faux leather without causing any damage to it.
To learn more details about how to remove all kinds of glue from your faux leather, read on.
Types Of Glue And How To Remove Them From Faux Leather
There are many different types of glue and when your faux leather gets stained with glue, it is important to know what type of glue stained your faux leather surface so that you know the right way to clean it.
There are three main types of glue and if you have glue stains on your faux leather, chances are one of these would be the culprits.
- Contact Cement Glue
- White Glue Or Leather Glue
- SuperGlue
Leather Glue Or White Glue
This type of glue is usually white hence the name and it is the easiest to clean. White glue is usually water-based and is fairly easy to remove.
One main characteristic of this glue is that it is not very sticky and you can remove it without causing any harm to your faux leather items.
If the glue stains you want to remove are white in color, then chances are it is white glue, and below is a step-by-step guide on how to remove it from your faux leather goods.
How To Remove White Glue From Faux Leather Items
There are 3 simple ways to remove white glue stains from faux leather items.
Method 1: Using Dry Cloth To Remove White Glue From Faux Leather
This is the simplest way to remove white glue stains from faux leather items, but be careful not to scrub too hard otherwise you might cause further damage to your faux leather goods.
The best thing about this method is that it works on glue that has already dried and fresh glue stains.
To use this method, follow the steps below;
Things Needed:
- A Clean Dry Cloth
- Water (Optional)
Procedure:
Step 1:
- First, use a dry cloth to blot as much of the glue stain as possible.
Step 2:
- Now, begin to lightly rub the stained area until the glue is removed.
- While rubbing, you will notice the white glue residue will begin to turn black or a darker color.
- If you notice that the white glue is not budging, then wet the stained area lightly with water. This will make it easier to remove the glue.
- Now continue to gently rub the stained area until all of the white glue stains is removed from your faux leather items.
Step 3:
- Once the white glue stain has been removed, wipe off any excess water with a dry cloth.
- Let your faux leather item dry.
Method 2: Using Warm Water To Remove Glue From Faux Leather
Warm water is one of the best ways to remove white glue stains from faux leather items. Warm water will help loosen the glue making it easier for you to wipe off.
But make sure not to let your faux leather items not to get soaking wet in water as it will cause the glue to dissolve and spread, which would redeposit on your faux leather items and may cause further damage.
Here’s how to remove glue from faux leather with warm water;
Things Needed:
- A Clean Sponge Or Cloth
- Warm Water
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- As you would always do, first, use a clean sponge or cloth to blot the white glue stain if the glue stain is fresh.
- This will help to remove as much of the glue as possible.
Step 2:
- Now dampen your leather cleaning sponge with warm water and gently rub the stained area of your faux leather item.
- Be gentle not to scratch the surface of your faux leather items.
- Continue to rub the stained area until all of the white glue stains has been removed.
- In most cases, you can expect the white glue stains to come out as white residue.
Step 3:
- Once you’re done with the previous step, grab a clean microfiber cloth and give the faux leather item one last wipe.
- This will help to remove any excess water or residue of the white glue.
Step 4:
- Lastly, let your faux leather item dry.
Method 3: Using Mild Dish Soap To Remove White Glue From Faux Leather
This method is a bit more complicated than the first two methods, but it’s still fairly easy to do.
It does require you to make a mixture of dish soap and water, but this method will work on fresh white glue stains.
Here’s how to remove the white glue stains from your faux leather items with dish soap;
Things Needed:
- A Clean Sponge Or Cloth
- Mild Dish Soap (Unscented)
- Water (Warm Water Preferred But Not Required)
Procedure:
Step 1:
- First, if the glue stain is fresh, use a clean sponge or cloth to blot the white glue stain off your faux leather item.
- This will help remove as much of the fresh glue as possible.
Step 2:
- Now, in a small bowl, mix mild dish soap with water into a solution.
- You can put 3 drops of dish soap into a bowl of warm water and mix.
Step 3:
- Now use your solution to dampen a clean sponge or cloth.
- Apply the mild dish soap mixture onto the white glue stain on your faux leather items.
- Now gently rub the stained area until all of the white glue stains are completely removed from your faux leather item.
- Be sure to not let your faux leather items get soaking wet in the soapy solution.
Step 4:
- Once you’re done, grab a damp clean cloth and wipe off any excess dish soap on your faux leather item.
- This will help ensure no residue of the white glue is left behind.
Step 5:
- Lastly, let your faux leather item dry.
Contact Cement Adhesive
The contact cement glue is another common type of glue used for assembling both faux and real leather items. Contact cement glues are not water-based but rather, are solvent-based.
In most cases, the solvent used for contact cement adhesives is acetone, lacquer thinner, and other solvents.
The solvent content is what makes contact cement glues very effective for assembling leather items, but the bad news is that it’s also what makes it very difficult to remove the glue stains.
This type of glue offers very strong and durable bonds. They are designed to hold leather pieces together without any form of reinforcement from stitches or threads.
When your faux leather items get stained by this type of glue, it can be very difficult to remove but I have a few tricks that would help you;
Method 1: Using Glue Ball To Remove Contact Cement Glue From Faux Leather
As a child, this was one of my favorite things to do. Whenever I came into contact with contact cement glue, no pun intended, I often made it dry over my fingers, and then I balled it up for hours. It felt like what we have today as slime.
Using glue ball is actually one of the most effective and safe ways to remove contact cement adhesive from faux leather items.
Usually, you would want to avoid using solvents to remove contact cement especially from faux leather items as doing so can damage the faux leather.
Also, the solvent can dilute the adhesive on the surface of the faux leather and cause it to spread all over the faux leather – making the situation worse.
However, with glue balls, you can remove contact cement without damaging your faux leather items and the best part is that it’s safe.
This method will work for both massive and small contact cement stains on faux leather items.
Here’s a quick step-by-step guide on how to remove contact cement glue from your faux leather items.
Things Needed:
- Small Puddle of Contact Cement Adhesive
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Put a teaspoonful of contact cement glue on a ceramic tile, plate, plastic cup, or any non-porous but hard surface – to form a small puddle of contact cement adhesive.
- You want something that the glue can dry on but will not get permanently stuck onto them.
Step 2:
- Leave the glue to dry.
- This will typically take about 60-70 minutes.
Step 3:
- After the said time, the contact cement puddle will solidify and will not be moist.
- The contact cement will feel very gummy when you touch it.
Step 4:
- Remove the solidified adhesive and roll it into a ball in your palm.
- It should be slightly sticky at first but it will become less sticky as you go on.
- This is very therapeutic for me. Don’t get lost in the moment! :D!
Step 5:
- Now press the glue ball against the contact cement glue stain on your faux leather items.
- Once you do, the glue ball will peel the glue stain right off your faux leather item.
- Continue pressing the glue ball against the glue stains until the glue stains are removed completely. Done!
Method 2: Using Pencil Eraser To Remove Contact Cement Adhesive From Faux Leather
This method is very similar to the glue ball technique that I shared in method one but instead of using a glue ball, you will be using a pencil eraser.
This is also a super safe and effective way to remove contact cement adhesive from faux leather items. Just like how you would rub away pencil marks on paper with a pencil eraser, you can do the same on your faux leather items.
When you rub a pencil eraser against the glue stains, it will wear away at the contact cement adhesive and effectively remove them from your faux leather item.
The downside of this method is that it will require some elbow grease on your end because the rubbing motion will need to be done for a few minutes until you see results.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to use a pencil eraser to remove contact cement glue from your faux leather items.
Things Needed:
- Pencil Eraser
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- Once you notice or identify the glue stain on your faux leather to be contact cement, leave the glue stain to dry for about an hour.
- But if the glue stain is already dry, then you don’t need to wait for it.
- This will allow the contact cement glue to become “tacky” and less likely to spread when you are doing the rubbing motion.
Step 2:
- Once you’re sure an hour has passed and the glue is no longer tacky, use your pencil eraser to rub it against the glue stain.
- You want to start from the edges of the glue smudge or stain and work your way in towards the center of the glue stain.
- This is to ensure that you are not rubbing too much or too hard on one spot which can cause damage to the faux leather item.
- Maintain a good amount of pressure on your eraser as putting too much pressure could distort the impressed grains on the faux leather.
- You want to start off light but you need to continuously rub for about a few seconds or so before you can notice results.
- Make sure to use gentle strokes when you are rubbing the faux leather with your eraser. Don’t apply too much pressure or speed.
Step 3:
- Once all of the glue stains are removed, you can use a microfiber cloth to wipe and clean the faux leather.
- This will remove any residue that your pencil eraser might have left behind.
Super Glue
Removing super glue from faux leather items can be quite tricky.
Superglue can bond really fast and it will create a very strong hold so you need to act quickly before the super glue dries up.
Even if you have super glue stains that have already dried on your faux leather items, my step-by-step guide will still work.
Here’s my quick and easy way on how to remove super glue from your faux leather items:
Using Acetone To Remove Super Glue From Faux Leather
When it comes to removing super glue from faux leather, you can use a solvent or acetone like nail polish remover.
It will not only make the removal process faster but it will also work more effectively.
You can get a nail polish remover from a local store or your wife’s or girlfriend’s makeup kit.
Just a heads up, most nail polish remover contains acetone which is why it works so well in removing super glue.
Here are some of the things you would need for this method of super glue removal from faux leather include;
Things Needed:
- Acetone (nail polish remover)
- Microfiber Cloth
Procedure:
Step 1:
- First, you need to scrape off as much super glue as possible.
- You can use a scraper or even your fingernails.
Step 2:
- Dampen a cotton ball in the nail polish remover and gently dab it on the super glue stains.
- Dab and do not smear or rub as you do not want to spread the super glue across your faux leather item.
- Do not apply too much pressure either.
- You want to act fast because the acetone will work its way on breaking down the adhesive bond of super glue so you need to dab the super glue stains immediately.
Step 3:
- Once you notice that the acetone has dissolved or broken down most of the adhesive bond, you can wipe the surface of the faux leather one final time with the nail polish remover.
Step 4:
- Leave the faux leather item to air dry.
Step 5:
- After the acetone has dried, you can use a damp microfiber cloth to wipe and clean the faux leather item.
- This will remove any remaining glue residue and stop the acetone reaction on the surface of the faux leather.
Important Tips To Remember When Removing Glue From Faux Leather
Here are a few tips to keep in mind when you are removing glue from your faux leather items;
– The number one mistake that people make is rubbing too hard or pressing too hard with their pencil eraser or even a scraper.
- You want to use light and gentle strokes when you are rubbing the faux leather with your eraser.
- You also have to work in sections and not by rubbing on one spot for a long period of time.
- Be patient and do not be too hasty as rushing the removal process can cause more harm than good.
- You also want to keep a steady and constant pace if you want to avoid doing more damage.
- When using a nail polish remover, make sure it contains acetone.
- Do not use chemical solvents on leather items.
- If your faux leather item is of high value, I suggest that you take it to a professional.
- You can always try and test the removal process on an inconspicuous area first before you proceed with removing glue from your faux leather items.
– If you notice that the acetone has dried before it has dissolved or broken down most of your superglue stains, then repeat the process over again.
– On the same note, if you notice that your faux leather items are becoming too dry or it is starting to crack after you have used the acetone, then stop using it immediately.
– Allow your faux leather item to naturally air dry after you have applied nail polish remover.
Final Thoughts
There are a number of methods for removing super glue from faux leather. I’ve provided you with the most effective and safest ways to remove it without damaging your expensive item or taking too much time out of your day.
Go through the steps carefully and always remember to test your faux leather item first before applying any of these methods.
If you have gotten rid of the glue from your faux leather items successfully, congratulations! You can continue enjoying your faux leather items without any worries.
I’m happy to have helped you with this, please check my other posts for more tips and advice.
