The Fix-All Ingredient That'll Get Super Glue Off Most Surfaces

Any DIYer has a love-hate relationship with super glue. Sure, it allows you to quickly adhere items together, but once it has come into contact with a surface, chances are that it's there to stay. Try though you may to banish super glue stains with conventional glue-removing methods, its extra-strong chemical bonds will usually yield nothing more than disappointment and frustration. If you find yourself in this exact situation, never fear! The hero of this story is well-known, and you probably have a can of it in your garage: WD-40.

This all-purpose lubricator and cleaning spray is ideal for all sorts of tasks around the house, including removing dried-on super glue from items and surfaces. To reap the results, spray WD-40 on the super glue, wait a minute or so, and wipe the spot, revealing a clean surface underneath. Though you possibly haven't thought of this super glue removal hack, WD-40's abilities in this arena have to do with weakening the chemical bond that forms between super glue and whatever it is stuck to.

WD-40 may just be the ideal hack for cleaning up super glue that has dried where you don't want it; and if it can successfully go up against super glue, you know that it is also up to less-challenging, but still-annoying, adhesives. Keeping a can locked up under the kitchen sink could help you remove the sticky label residue from that oh-so-perfect jam jar you want to repurpose for dry goods storage. Just spray it on, wait up to a minute, and rub the sticky portion with a paper towel or the abrasive side of a sponge until it comes off.

Remember that WD-40 is a blend of strong chemicals that can cause skin irritation if you come in direct contact with it. The best course of action is to use this spray in a well-ventilated space, while wearing rubber gloves to keep your skin protected. Use caution with this spray's ingredients near small kids or if pets are around, as the fumes from WD-40 can be harmful if inhaled.