Precautions To Take To Ensure Gorilla Glue Doesn't Harden In The Bottle

Gorilla Glue is one of the most versatile adhesives on the market. But if you've used it before, you might've experienced the frustration of returning to an old bottle only to find that the glue inside is useless. With proper storage, however, you can get your money's worth out of a bottle of Gorilla Glue. 

Generally speaking, unopened Gorilla Glue products can be stored for up to two years before use. Once opened, though, the adhesive's shelf life drops down to six to nine months, depending on the storage conditions and actual age of the product. It may sound simple, but one of the easiest ways to extend Gorilla Glue's shelf life is by putting the lid back on correctly after each use. 

Reading that might have you thinking, "Well, duh," but it's one of the most common mistakes people make when using Gorilla Glue. Properly putting the lid on also means ensuring the seal is tight. This is because many Gorilla Glue products are made from polyurethane, which activates with water, so any moisture in the air can cause trouble during storage. In addition to putting the lid back on, Gorilla Glue recommends keeping its products out of direct sunlight and storing them in a dry area to minimize moisture exposure. 

When it comes to where and how exactly to store Gorilla Glue, you can always check the recommendations for your specific product, or follow general guidelines for storing other super glues. One of the simplest storage solutions is placing your glue upright in an airtight container, like a plastic bag, between uses. If you have a bottle that is over 4 ounces, Gorilla Glue also suggests that you squeeze excess air out before storing it. Another possible storage method is placing your product in a jar with silica gel. 

To avoid dramatic temperature changes, you can also place your adhesive in a dry cupboard. Be careful to avoid keeping it in any rooms that are prone to moisture, like your bathroom. And no matter what storage method you go with, you should not remove your Gorilla Glue from its original container to store it in something else. Remember: The moisture in air can cause your product to harden. 

Some people take their storage a step further by placing their Gorilla Glue inside their fridge. Be careful following this advice, though, as Gorilla Glue specifically cautions against refrigerating its super glue.

Knowing how to properly store Gorilla Glue is great — but what if you have some glue that's already dried out? Unfortunately, there is no guaranteed way to revive Gorilla Glue once it has fully dried. Although some recommend placing glue bottles in hot water, you run the risk of damaging the container itself if your water is too hot.

However, you may still be in luck because it's possible that not the entire container of glue is dried out. Sometimes, only a thin top layer has hardened in the bottle, which means there's good glue still left inside. All you need to do is remove the cap and nozzle and then use a screwdriver, chopstick, or similar tool to push the hardened layer down to the bottom of your bottle. 

Once that's done, you can use your glue as normal. Be sure to wipe the nozzle afterward to remove any stray adhesive. Then, follow storage instructions to make sure you don't run into the same problem again.