How to Get Glue Off Glass

Co-authored by wikiHow Staff

Glue and other sticky substances can leave unsightly residues on glass surfaces, and sometimes it takes more than soap and water and a little scrubbing to clean. By using different cleaning solvents or scraping carefully with a blade, you will be able to have smudge-free glass surfaces.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Rubbing the Glue Off

1
Clean the glass surface with soap and water. Spray the glass with a household cleaner and wipe thoroughly with a dry towel to remove what you can without cleaning agents. Make sure to let the glass completely dry before attempting to remove the glue.^{[1]
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2
Rub the glue using a towel moistened with a household alcohol. Rubbing alcohol or nail polish remover is, most often, the best choice for removing sticky substances from glass.^{[2]
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Research source} Pour a small amount of the liquid onto a paper or cloth towel. In a circular motion, rub the dried glue with the paper towel to soften the substance. Once softened, use the same towel to wipe the glue and any extra residue away.

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3
Coat the residue with a strong cleaner to break down tougher glues. If the glue on the glass is a stronger type, you may have to use a cleaner specifically made to break down sticky or oily substances. The cleaning section at a nearby market or automotive shop should have these items in stock.^{[3]
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Research source} These could be window or glass cleaners like Windex, or automotive cleaners like Goo-Gone or Goo Off.^{[4]
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Research source} Wet a towel with the solvent, place it on the glue, and leave the towel there for a few moments to let the cleaner begin to break down the adhesive. Take the towel off and wipe away any remaining glue with a clean towel.
- Commercial-strength cleaners contain chemicals in order to break down residues. In order to use them safely, make sure to use the products in a well-ventilated area with the proper protective gear to cover skin and eyes.
4
Soften the glue using heat or other agents. If previous methods do not work at first, try further softening the glue with other means before trying to wipe it away again. This can be done most effectively by heating the glue up by pouring hot water onto it or blowing it with a hair dryer, or by soaking the glue with other chemical softeners like vinegar, cooking oil, or lighter fluid. If this works to soften the residue, then wipe it away using a clean towel.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Scraping the Glue Off

1
Scrape the glue away with a scraper after softening with a solvent. Chip away at the glue using a sturdy, sharp metal scraper. Make sure to scrape away from your face and body so that if the scraper slips, you do not cut yourself.
- Do not use a very thin or fragile blade. Scraping with a blade like this requires you to apply much more force than you would use with a thicker, sturdier blade, and this could cause you to scratch or break the glass.
2
Chip away at stubborn leftover glue bits with a smaller scraping tool. This can be a small razor blade, the head of a screwdriver, or a knife. Scrape the glue off using smooth, pushing motions. Remember to scrape away from your face and body.
3
Wipe away any remaining residue or solvent with a towel. If there is still some leftover glue, gently rubbing the surface with dampened steel wool or a moist towel can get rid of the remaining bits. Otherwise, wipe off the glass with a dry, clean towel.

Warnings

When working with chemicals of any sort, be sure that the environment you are working in has proper ventilation and that you are covering your skin and eyes as necessary. Follow the directions given on the labels of the cleaning agents you are using.

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If you use the scraping method, using a blade with a handle is the safest option. If one with a handle is not available, exercise extreme caution when scraping the glue away; you should be making very slow and deliberate movements with the blade.

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