First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Wipe up wet epoxy with paper towels as soon as it spills.
- On skin, lift the wet resin with a waterless skin cleanser, then wash with soap and warm water.
- If epoxy gets on clothes, change them right away.
- If epoxy gets in your eyes, flush them with water for 15 minutes, and get medical attention if discomfort continues.
Epoxy and resin harden through a chemical reaction, so the window to clean them up is short. Wet material wipes away easily, but once it has cured on fabric it generally can't be removed, and on carpet, furniture or walls it may not be possible at all. Hard cured layers on hard surfaces have to be scraped rather than wiped, so the sooner you act the better your odds.
Wipe up wet epoxy glue with a clean cloth before you try anything stronger. If it has already set, an adhesive remover can soften the residue, but test it on a hidden spot first. Call a pro if old dried epoxy has spread onto carpet or upholstery.
6 items
What you'll need
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- Paper towelsSoak up and wipe wet epoxy before it sets (opens Amazon)
- Acetone or lacquer thinnerCleans tools and work surfaces, following the maker's directions (opens Amazon)
- Plastic spatulaLifts cured epoxy off hard surfaces without digging in
- Mild liquid dish soapMixed into warm water for the final wash (opens Amazon)
- GlovesKeep liquid resin off your hands while you work (opens Amazon)
- Waterless skin cleanserLifts resin off skin before you wash with soap and warm water
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Wipe up wet epoxy right away
Lay paper towels over the spill and press to soak up as much as you can. Then wipe the area until nothing wet comes away, and change towels often so you don't drag the resin around.
Tip. Mixed fiberglass resin has a working time of about 10 to 12 minutes for small batches, so start this while the resin is still fluid.
Careful. Once epoxy sets on fabric, it can't be removed, so don't wait for it to firm up.
Step 2 of 5
Clean tools and work surfaces
Wipe the tools and the bench or work surface with acetone or lacquer thinner, following the solvent maker's directions. If you're not sure the surface can take solvent, test a hidden spot first and skip the solvent on painted walls.
Tip. Use a fresh rag for each pass so you aren't spreading the resin around.
Step 3 of 5
Scrape off the cured layer
Epoxy that has set won't wipe off, so use a plastic spatula to lift the hardened layer off hard surfaces. Work slowly from the edge toward the middle so the material comes up in pieces instead of smearing.
Step 4 of 5
Wash the spot with soapy water
Dampen paper towels with warm water and a mild liquid dish soap, then wipe the spot until the surface feels clean. Rinse or replace the towels as they fill up so you aren't smearing residue back on.
Step 5 of 5
Check the surface and repeat
Look at the spot in good light and feel for any tackiness, then repeat the soap wipe if needed. Stop when the surface looks clean and feels dry to the touch.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for epoxy
Choose acetone or lacquer thinner for cleaning tools and work surfaces. For cured craft resin, a plastic spatula is the tool to reach for.
Amazon Basics Microfiber Cleaning Cloths
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on these surfaces, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
See what to do for what you're seeing →If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →Pick what it is on
Epoxy on every material
Outdoor3
Clothes & laundry1
Carpet & rugs1
Kitchen & bath5
Walls1
Bedding & linens1
No match. Try the main search for anything else.
How to tell it's working
A good cleanup leaves the towels coming up clean and the surface no longer tacky. If you still feel a film or stickiness, wipe again with fresh soapy towels before it has a chance to set.
What changes for yours
Adjust for where the stain is
Epoxy glue and adhesive residue
Epoxy glue follows the same rule as the rest of the family: wipe it while it is wet, because once it has cured on fabric it can't be removed. On a hard surface, work the cured glue off with a plastic spatula, then wash the spot with mild dish soap and warm water. Keep the scraping gentle so the surface underneath isn't scratched.
Glue on carpet, furniture or walls may not be removable at all, so ask the dealer or a hardware store before you try anything harsh. Stronger treatments aren't worth the risk until you know what the surface can take.
Epoxy paint and coatings
Cured epoxy paint or a hard coating is a finish, not a spill, so the wipe-up steps don't help once it has set. Solvent is only for tools and work surfaces, so keep acetone and lacquer thinner off painted walls and furniture.
For painted walls, the Walls guide is the right place to go next. Test any product on a hidden spot before you use it on the coating itself.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old epoxy that has fully cured is the hardest case, and on fabric it can't be removed. Cured epoxy cement on clothing can't be brought out with any treatment, so the realistic goal is stopping the spread and keeping the rest of the garment clean.
On hard surfaces, cured epoxy has to be scraped off, so use a plastic spatula and work slowly from the edge in. Wash the spot with warm, soapy water once the bulk is gone, and don't expect a single pass to clear it.
If it's still there on carpet, furniture or walls, contact the dealer or a hardware store before you try anything harsh. On your skin, a pumice stone with warm, soapy water can help, followed by petroleum jelly or hand lotion to help the skin slough.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on epoxy?
Most kitchen remedies for stains aren't needed for epoxy, since nothing backs them for this job. The few that come up often aren't worth reaching for on epoxy. Keep your effort on a quick wipe and a clean scrape instead.
Works1Skip4Avoid1
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use solvents on skin.
Use a waterless skin cleanser on the resin, then wash the hardener off with soap and warm water. Acetone and lacquer thinner belong on tools and work surfaces only, even after the resin is gone.
Don't soak cured epoxy in solvent.
Once epoxy has set, a long solvent soak wastes time and solvent. Scrape the hardened layer off hard surfaces instead, and leave cured residue on fabric alone.
Don't keep wearing soiled clothes.
Change right away if epoxy lands on clothing. If you can't get all of it out, stop wearing the garment, since cured epoxy on fabric can't be removed.
Don't work near flame.
Keep solvents away from heat, sparks and flame, and work in a space with good ventilation. Shut off pilot lights and other ignition sources before you start, because flammable products can ignite.
Troubleshooting
If the stain is still there
Pick what you're seeing:
Spray foam has dried on my hands.
Great Stuff suggests a pumice stone with warm, soapy water, then petroleum jelly or hand lotion to help the skin slough. It will wear off over time.
Epoxy grout haze remains on tile.
Treat it as soon as the grout maker allows; it hardens the longer it dries. MAPEI's remover is used after at least 12 hours but within 24 hours.
When to call a professional
For cured epoxy on carpet, furniture or walls, contact the dealer or a hardware store first. If the item is valuable, ask them before you try anything on it.
Questions
Does epoxy or resin stain?
Yes, epoxy and resin can stain, and once they cure on fabric they can't be removed. The fresh spill is the window, so wipe it up with paper towels while it's still wet.
How do I remove epoxy without damaging paint?
Start by scraping the cured layer gently with a plastic spatula, and keep solvents off the paint. Acetone and lacquer thinner are for tools and work surfaces, so don't use them on painted walls or furniture. Test any product on a hidden spot first, and for walls, the Walls guide is the next stop.
Can you remove cured epoxy from fabric?
No, cured epoxy cement on fabric can't be removed. Stop the spread while it's wet, and if it has set, don't keep wearing the garment.
What do I do if epoxy gets on my skin?
Lift the wet resin off with a skin-safe cleaner made for the job, then finish with soap and warm water. Solvents stay off your skin, and if epoxy gets in your eyes, flush them with water for 15 minutes.
Is acetone safe for cleaning epoxy?
Acetone is for cleaning tools and work surfaces, following the maker's directions. It stays off skin and clothing, and you should test it on a hidden spot first if you aren't sure the surface can take it.
How do I clean up UV craft resin?
Wipe liquid resin with paper towels dampened with soapy water, and wear gloves while you work. Scrape cured resin with a plastic spatula, and keep the cleanup to soap and water for everything else.
Related
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.