The Medicine Cabinet Staple That Will Remove Hardened Super Glue From Your Hands

When you're putting together the broken halves of your mom's ceramic vase, super glue might seem miraculous. One moment, you're trying to convince the family dog to shoulder the blame; the next, the vase looks almost like it didn't go through a difficult ordeal. But while you were hyper-focused on covering your tracks, you might have overlooked the pea-sized super glue blob on your forearms. If the adhesive is yet to harden, you can easily get it off with soap and warm water. But how do you remove hardened super glue from your hands? You use Vaseline petroleum jelly.

Hardened adhesive bonds with the skin and isn't easy to peel off unless you're happy to sustain some damage. That's why you need the gelatinous jelly to gently eliminate all traces of hardened super glue from your hands. The best part, though? Since Vaseline has multiple uses around the house, you might already have a tub in your medicine cabinet and can use it to remove the adhesive immediately to minimize skin irritation.

Begin by washing the affected area with gentle soap and warm water to loosen the adhesive on your hands. Once done, dry the skin with a clean microfiber towel. Now, scoop up some Vaseline petroleum jelly and apply it generously over the hardened glue. Rub it gently to let it penetrate the glue layer and break the cyanoacrylate bond. Continue rubbing the jelly onto the area until it begins peeling off your hands. You'll have to exercise patience and not give in to the urge to rip off the adhesive layer, or you'll end up harming the skin underneath. In case you don't have Vaseline handy, substitute it with vegetable or mineral oil.

After the hardened adhesive comes off your hands, rewash the area with mild soap and warm water to remove residual glue and petroleum jelly. Finally, pat dry the skin. If you notice that not all traces of the adhesive are gone, repeat the process until your skin is free of the super glue. However, don't hesitate to get medical assistance if you damage the skin in the process.