Dried Super Glue Doesn't Stand A Chance Against An Item Already In Your Cabinet

Picture the scene: You're knee-deep in a DIY project, and out of the blue, a rogue dab of super glue latches itself and hardens in a spot least welcome: your hand. Or worse, your little one encounters the sticky mess while exploring the fascinating world around them. You're considering chiseling at the resilient glue, but that would only invite a defiant smirk from the hardened adhesive, now indifferent to water or your rising panic. Managing the challenge of naturally removing dried super glue from the hand can feel like an excruciating match of wits. But what you probably didn't know is that your deliverance might be nestled in your bathroom cabinet. Enter rubbing alcohol.

Being a polar solvent, rubbing alcohol dissolves and weakens the polar molecules in the dried super glue, rendering it powerless and easy to peel off. After all, polar substances are more likely to dissolve in polar solvents. Beyond its practical benefits, rubbing alcohol is eco-friendly; yes, raise a toast to zero harsh chemicals. And remember, we're talking about a staple in many first-aid kits. But on the off-chance you don't have it, here's a reality check: it will hardly inflate your budget. For example, a 16-fl-oz bottle of Swan 70% Isopropyl Alcohol comes in at a modest $1.25 at Dollar Tree.

There's no better way to kickstart your super glue exorcism than to assemble the required troops: rubbing alcohol, a cotton ball, a clean cloth, and warm water. The trick with rubbing alcohol is not to max out the concentration. Despite the lure of "more strength equals more power," 70% concentration, blessed with a higher water quotient, keeps the perfect balance between potency and gentleness in super glue removal. 

Now, onto the primary assault. It's when an alcohol-laden cotton swab meets the stubborn superglue magic unfurls. Gently caress the cotton swab across your skin's glued landscape, maintaining contact long enough to shatter the adhesive's bond. If the foe's defenses are stout and thick, it's a signal to invoke reinforcement: a dull-edged item, such as a plastic ruler, ID card, spatula, or butter knife, can be used to pick at the weakened glue, exposing the next layer. Reapplying the rubbing alcohol might become necessary for obstinate adhesive.

Finally, with the battleground scrubbed clean off most of the sticky invader, give your hand a victory bath of soapy water. Drench it, scrubbing away the remnants of the mighty war just fought, then pat it dry using a clean cloth. As a closing ritual, you might wish to slather on a generous layer of moisturizing lotion, a well-deserved toast to your war-worn skin — that replenishes the hydration the alcohol may have borrowed during the battle.

Rushed gestures may satisfy your impatience when pitting adhesion against liberation, but the trade-off could be skin damage you'd rather avoid. If your skin is dry, breathes irritation, or harbors an open wound or acne, approaching it with alcohol-based products is equivalent to adding insult to injury. Exercise the same level of caution for children who might yield to their youthful impatience to scrub the glue away, risking injury — bring out the adult supervision card here. For glue-stuck fingers, a dip in a bowl of alcohol solution does the trick. 

With a flammability spectrum of 2.3% to 12.7%, rubbing alcohol walks a tightrope between danger and solution due to its highly combustive nature. Wander into its presence carelessly, armed with heat or open flames, and you'll meet a fiery backlash (literally). So, ensure the potential triggers keep their distance. However, super glue removal with rubbing alcohol isn't set in stone. Many alternatives are happy to help, from soapy water, nail polish remover, and household margarine to lemon juice. And since an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, why not secure your skin with gloves, finger cots ($6 on Amazon), or long sleeves before taking the plunge with adhesives like super glue?