The Quick Fix You Need To Revive Gorilla Glue That's Started To Dry In The Bottle

Gorilla glue is a brand of polyurethane formula, a strong adhesive suitable for many different materials. But what do you do when you grab the bottle that's been sitting in a drawer for a few months only to find it's completely hardened and unusable? You could run to the store and grab more glue, but that's not a realistic solution every time you need to fix something. Instead of throwing away Gorilla Glue that's dried up in the bottle, there's a quick trick you can try to bring the adhesive back to life. All you have to do is use a sharp object, like a skewer or chopstick, to push the top layer of hardened glue to the bottom of the bottle. 

While some bottles of Gorilla Glue might be beyond fixing, it's important to understand the science behind this quick fix when trying it out. Essentially, polyurethane adhesive is an incredibly strong glue that undergoes a chemical reaction when applied to create a strong bond between materials. Polyurethane adhesive may have excellent water resistance once dried, but one-part varieties like Gorilla Glue are susceptible to moisture damage, like from improper storage. This often results in the glue hardening in the bottle to the point where it's almost impossible to get out with regular methods.

It's important to know one crucial detail before working with Gorilla Glue – how to protect your hands. Be sure to wear gloves during the process to keep the glue off your skin and line your working space with an old cloth or paper towel. Carefully remove the Gorilla Glue cap and nozzle and set aside. Now, there is a clear opening for you to use your chosen tool, whether that be a pencil, chopstick, or barbeque skewer, to push down the hardened piece of glue. Pushing it down into the bottle will reincorporate it into the softened glue and allow your nozzle to flow with no obstruction.

While it may be tempting to toss your bottle of glue into the microwave to soften it, this method is strongly advised against by the manufacturer. Heating the glue can cause the product to degrade and release toxic chemicals into the air. Some people have had luck placing their bottles of glue into warm water, but this method is not without risks. Gorilla Glue is moisture-activated, so submerging even a portion of the bottle into water risks affecting the glue inside.

One of the most common mistakes made when using Gorilla Glue around the house is not recapping and storing the glue properly. The best way to store your glue is in a cool place with minimal excess moisture. When you're finished using it, you'll want to make sure to wipe the nozzle clean and also squeeze out any excess air from the bottle before recapping. These steps are the best defense against any moisture getting into the bottle and creating a hard layer of product.

Another precaution you can take to make sure Gorilla Glue doesn't harden during storage is to keep the bottle in an airtight bag like the Ziploc Gallon Food Storage Freezer Bags. If you want to amp up the protection, pop a few silica gel packs into the storage bag to beat any tiny amounts of moisture that get in. Additionally, you should always keep your glue in the original packaging for the best results.