How to Get Glue from a Band-Aid

Removing duct tape can be quite painful, and dealing with the discomfort caused by residual adhesive only makes matters more difficult. Fortunately, there are many ways to remove leftover glue. Either way, you should be careful to only gently press the tape and use it when it gets scratched. Whether wiping or scraping will affect your skin. Different types of glue require different treatments, so don’t be discouraged if you don’t succeed on your first try. With a little time and effort you will be able to remove this nasty glue.

Table of Contents

Use home remedies available

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Soak in warm water. Warm water and moisture can soften the adhesive of many tapes. ^{[1] X Research Source} There’s an easy way to soak glued skin in warm water by simply taking a bath or shower. The adhesive will come off on its own, otherwise you need to gently rub it with a towel or soft sandpaper.

If you don’t have time to shower, simply pour warm water into a bowl or pan and soak the area to be removed. This works best if you can soak the adhesive spot for a long time. Try it while you are reading a book or watching TV.

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Cover with a thin layer of oil. A few drops of olive oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, or sunflower seed oil can help remove the glue from the skin. Some glues are oil soluble. Others lose their stickiness as the oil penetrates between the glue and the skin. ^{[2] X Research Source}

For best results, use a soft cloth or cotton ball to gently rub the glued skin with cooking oil. You don’t need too much oil – just a thin layer on the skin, stop soaking in the oil. Allow the oil to soak for a minute or two before gently rubbing it with a soft cloth or cotton ball. Repeat if necessary to remove the glue completely.

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Apply ice to the glued area. Wrap the ice in a paper towel so it doesn’t stick to the skin and let it sit for 5 minutes. The ice will harden the glue and loosen it. ^{[3] X Research Sources}^{[4] X Research Sources}

Use your usual skin care products

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Soak the glued area in baby oil. Baby oil has the same effect as cooking oil, it also dissolves or peels the glue off the skin. Another benefit is that most baby oils are very gentle, making them a great choice for sensitive skin.

Most baby oils only have mineral oils with a small amount of fragrance. You can use pure mineral oil instead of baby oil; it’s usually a bit cheaper.
If you are getting glue from children’s skin, try adding a few drops of food coloring along with the balm and “paint” on the glued skin. The oil will loosen the glue and the coloring will be a treat. ^{[5] X Research Sources}

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Use a gentle moisturizer. Since most lotions are oil or fat (fat) based, they can remove the glue like baby oil or cooking oil. Apply a small amount of lotion, leave for a few minutes, then rub with a soft towel or cotton ball.

Fragrance-free lotions are the best choice. The chemicals used in fragrances can cause pain and rashes on sensitive skin. ^{[6] X Research Source}

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Use warm compresses with baby oil, lotion, or some cooking oil. Since the heat strips many of the adhesives from the duct tape, you can use it to make these more effective. Warm water will wash away the oil or lotion, so use warm compresses instead. Our article has detailed instructions on simple ways to make warm compresses.

Pour dry rice into a long sock. Fasten at the top of the sock to keep the rice inside. Microwave the gauze for more than 30 seconds until it is warm, but not too hot to handle. Place the gauze over the glued skin after you have applied the oil or cream on it.
Place a cloth between the gauze and the skin if you are concerned about the socks getting greasy.

Use chemical products

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Apply alcohol. Also known as isopropyl alcohol, this popular household cleaner is fairly inexpensive and can be found at the grocery or discount store. Alcohol is very effective in removing some types of glue. Apply a little alcohol with a cotton swab or alcohol, let it sit for a while, then rub it gently to loosen the glue.

Alcohol can be drying and irritating, especially in delicate areas like the face. Apply only a few drops and leave on the skin when using.

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Moisten with nail polish remover. The main ingredient in most nail polish removers is acetone, a chemical solvent. Acetone also acts as a solubilizer for many common adhesives, loosening the contact surface. ^{[7] X Source of Study} Apply a small amount to the adhesive skin area and let it sit for a few minutes, then continue to gently dab to remove the glue.

Acetone can also be as drying and irritating when applied to the skin as alcohol, so use it carefully.
If you can find pure acetone it will work just like nail polish remover.
Be careful when using acetone; This is a flammable substance so should not be used with heat. ^{[8] X Research Sources}
Avoid using acetone-free nail polish removers as they will not contain the solvent needed to remove any remaining glue.

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Cover with petroleum wax. Products like Vaseline are made from petroleum waxes that act like oils and lotions to help loosen the glue from the skin. One particular effect is that petroleum jelly is quite thick, so it’s easy to leave it on for long periods of time (although the slickness can be uncomfortable for some). You just need to apply a thin layer to the glued skin and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then wipe it off with a soft cloth or paper towel.

Kerosene-based wax can be very moisturizing so it won’t dry out your skin.

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Use medical glue remover. ^{[9] X Research Source} These products are manufactured specifically for removing adhesives from personal tape. Glue removers are usually manufactured as disposable sprays or wipes. They are a bit more expensive and harder to find than the above methods, but they work very well.

You can find these products at your local pharmacy. If not, there are also plenty of options for you to order online. The price of each product is quite diverse, but it is always around 2000-4000 VND per bottle or package. ^{[10] X Research Source}

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Wash with soapy water after using chemicals. Many chemical products (especially alcohol, acetone, and some glue removers) can irritate the skin if in contact with the skin for too long. To avoid irritation, make sure to wash your skin with soap and water after using these chemicals. This will help clear chemicals from the skin and reduce irritation.

If you can’t get all the glue off your skin in one go, wait a day before reapplying harsh chemicals. The pause will allow your skin to rest and recover. Alternatively, combine a chemical with one of the milder solutions.
Use a moisturizer after washing with soap and water because soap can dry out your skin.

Advice

Be patient — the medical adhesive will peel off on its own after a while.
Alcohol is also sometimes available in the form of a convenient medical towel. Look for “alcohol wipes” or “alcohol cotton” at your local grocery store’s first aid counter.

Warning

Alcohol and nail polish remover will sting open wounds, broken or sensitive skin.
Alcohol can damage soft fabrics. Carefully apply to the glued skin and throw away the used cotton ball.

Steps

Use home remedies available

Use your usual skin care products

Use chemical products

Advice

Warning

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