Place a towel soaked in white vinegar over the hair glue and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Then, dab the spot with a paper towel until the glue is removed.
If you’re into experimenting with your hair and trying out different hairstyles, you can often find yourself using hair glue.
And while it’s a helpful styling aid, it’s not so great when you accidentally spill it over your carpet. In this case, depending on the type of glue, it will either flake or dry and stick your carpet fibers together, which isn’t good.
In today’s article, we’ll teach you how to get hair glue out of carpet using household products such as vinegar, dishwashing soap, acetone, etc. Without further ado, let’s get that nasty hair glue out of your carpet!
How to Get Hair Glue Out of Carpet
Try to remove as much of the hair glue as possible before it dries.
If it has already been set before you even noticed it, don’t worry. Below, we’ll share methods you can try for both situations, so let’s hop right in and get cleaning.
Always Do A Spot Test
Whatever cleaning product you choose from the ones listed below, always do a spot test in a hidden patch of your carpet.
Some materials have been known to stain no matter what you use, so make sure to check for discoloration or damage before applying the product to visible areas of the carpet.
If you notice any change in your carpet’s surface, don’t use the product and contact a professional who will get the hair glue out without causing any damage.
If you get a green light, continue the cleaning process with any of the following products.
Try Distilled White Vinegar
Vinegar can easily break down various types of glue, including hair glue, because it’s acidic.
Step 1: Soak A Hand Towel in Warm Water
If the hair glue is not dried yet, remove as much as possible of the liquid with paper towels.
If it has dried, soak a hand towel or cloth in warm water and try to remove it by dabbing the area.
The warmth of the water will hopefully dissolve the dry layer of the glue so that you can easily remove the rest with vinegar.
Step 2: Dab the Glue with Distilled White Vinegar
Once the hair glue has started to dissolve, take a clean towel or kitchen towel, soak it in vinegar and apply it over the affected area.
Let it sit for about 15 minutes. The glue should have been partially dissolved before applying the vinegar. If it’s not, then the vinegar won’t work.
If you’re dealing with larger stains, you can pour vinegar directly onto the glue.
Step 3: Dab the Area with A Clean Cloth and Let it Air-dry
After 15 minutes or so, dab the affected area with a dry clean towel to lift the rest of the hair glue. Once you’re done, don’t wash the area. Let it air-dry.
Finally, run your hand over the fibers. If you still feel the glue, repeat the process.
Use A Solvent
In some cases, hair glue can be softened with a solvent.
In the future, if you spill craft glue or glue for outdoor carpets all over your carpet, try the vinegar method first.
If that doesn’t help, try a solvent in the following manner.
Step 1: Apply the Solvent
Carefully apply a small amount of solvent to the glue stain. Then, place a dry rag or clean towel over the affected area.
Step 2: Use Your Iron
Set your iron to the medium-heat steam temperature. Place a cloth over the affected area and press the iron over the cloth to soften the hair glue. Gently rub the affected area and repeat the same process until the hair glue is completely gone.
Step 3: Clean and Dry
Once the hair glue is gone, mix 2 tablespoons of soap and 2 cups of water, then use this solution to remove the solvent from the carpet.
Finally, dry the carpet with a dry clean cloth and leave a fan on high speed aimed at the affected area.
Dishwashing Soap to the Rescue
If you don’t have distilled vinegar or solvent at hand or you can’t stand the smell of vinegar, try dishwashing soap.
Dishwashing soap makes a great treatment for stains because it’s gentle, effective, and cheap.
Step 1: Prepare the Solution
Mix a few drops of dishwashing soap such as Dawn and warm water in a bowl.
Step 2: Apply the Solution
Soak a clean towel in the solution, then dab the affected area with it. Make sure you use different clean parts of the cloth or towel as you go until the glue is gone.
Step 3: Let Your Carpet Air-dry
Once you’re done, soak up any excess moisture with a towel and let your carpet air-dry.
How About Acetone?
Acetone can successfully dissolve any type of glue, including hair glue, but if you opt for this cleaning option, be careful as it can damage the backing of your carpet.
Use as little acetone as possible and do a spot test in a hidden patch. If you don’t have acetone, you can also use Goo Gone.
Step 1: Apply the Acetone
Apply a small amount of acetone to a cotton cloth.
In our opinion, makeup removing cloth works best for applying acetone and removing stains. Make sure you use new makeup removing clothes without any chemicals in them.
Tap the cloth onto the stain and repeat the same process until the glue is dissolved.
Step 2: Blot the Area with A Damp Towel
Once the acetone has softened and dissolved the hair glue, use a damp clean towel or paper towels to blot the area. Remove any residual product.
Moreover, change the makeup removing cotton pads as they start to break down. If your pad starts to fall apart before the glue does, replace it with a new one and keep going.
Step 3: Scrape the Hair Glue
If the hair glue turns into hardened, granular residue on your carpet, you can remove it with a spoon or butter knife.
Baking Soda
You can also remove hair glue with baking soda.
Step 1: Prepare the Cleaning Paste
Mix 1 cup of baking soda and 1 cup of warm water. These ingredients together will break down the glue, which should soften and dissolve.
Step 2: Apply the Cleaning Paste
Apply the baking soda and water paste to the affected area and let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then, scrape off the paste with a scour pad, spoon, or butter knife.
If you’re dealing with stubborn glue stains, you may need several applications to get all of the glue out.
Step 3: Blot the Stained Area
Once you’re certain, the glue is dissolved and ready to get out of your carpet, mix 1 cup of warm water and a few drops of dishwashing soap and blot the residue with a clean cloth.
Finally, soak the residue with a clean towel.
Baking Soda and Vinegar
If you combine the forces of baking soda and vinegar, you will remove the hair glue from your carpet in no time.
Step 1: Use the Vinegar
Pour a small amount of white vinegar on a clean sponge or cloth, then blot the area with it. Once the glue starts to dissolve, proceed to the next step.
Step 2: Follow with Baking Soda
Sprinkle a generous amount of baking soda over the affected area, then use a damp sponge or towel to gently blot at the stain until it’s completely gone.
Extra tip: If you’re dealing with tough glue stains, mix 1 cup of vinegar and 1 cup of baking soda, then apply it to the hair glue and let it sit for a few minutes. Lastly, blot the affected area with a clean towel to absorb the cleaning solution.
Bonus Method: Rubbing Alcohol or Vodka
If you don’t have any of the products mentioned above, you can use rubbing alcohol or vodka to remove glue from your carpet.
Step 1: Prepare the Solution
Mix 1/4 cup of rubbing alcohol or vodka with a small amount of soap in a small bowl.
Step 2: Apply the Solution
Apply this mixture over the hair glue with a cloth and blot it until it’s gone. Wash the area well with clean water, and you’re done.
FAQs on How to Get Hair Glue Out of Carpet
What’s the best hair glue remover for carpets?
SureCrete’s Glue Remover works best for removing hair glue from carpets.
Will Goo Gone remove hair glue from carpet?
Goo Gone will remove hair glue from a carpet. It can dissolve all types of glue, but do a spot test before using the product to make sure it doesn’t cause damage.
