First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Keep the paper dry, since home cleaning of paper is dry only.
- Lift the gummy glue with a dull knife or spoon, without pressing it deeper into the paper.
- Blot, don't rub, so the spot doesn't spread.
Glue on paper is tricky because paper can take very little at home. Water, solvents and heat are all off the table, so the job is to lift the glue without soaking the sheet. Dried or old glue is harder, and for anything valuable, a conservator may be the safer choice.
When you remove glue from paper, use a soft brush or bone folder rather than anything that can tear the sheet. For glue stick stains on paper, keep everything dry and let the glue do the work. Old photos with glue on the back are worth a conservator's look before you try anything stronger.
Before you start
What paper, books & photos can take
Use with care1
- Scrubbing and abrasives
Avoid5
- Water
- Hot water
- Soaking
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Heat, once the stain is out
4 items
What you'll need
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- Dull knife, spoon or spatulaLifts the gummy glue off the surface.
- Soft natural-bristle brushLifts loose residue gently. (opens Amazon)
- Non-colored vinyl eraserGrated into crumbs, it lifts what's left of the glue. (opens Amazon)
- Clean, dry clothBlots the spot without rubbing.
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Read the packaging first
Many glue makers print removal instructions on the packaging, so read it before you start. Follow only the dry steps here, even if the label suggests something wetter.
Step 2 of 5
Scrape off the gummy glue
Use the dull edge of a knife, spoon or spatula to lift away as much gummy glue as you can. Press lightly and work from the edges inward, so the spot stays contained.
Step 3 of 5
Brush away loose residue
Brush the area lightly with a soft natural-bristle brush to lift the loose particles. Keep the strokes gentle and move them outward from the stain, rather than grinding the bits in.
Step 4 of 5
Lift the rest with eraser crumbs
Grate a non-colored vinyl eraser into fine crumbs, then sprinkle them over the glue that's left. Brush the crumbs off gently with the soft brush once they've worked into the residue.
Tip. Grate a fresh eraser for each job so the crumbs stay clean.
Careful. Block, putty, electric and commercial abrasive erasers are not safe for paper, so stick to the grated vinyl.
Step 5 of 5
Blot and keep the paper cool
Blot the spot gently with a clean, dry cloth, pressing rather than rubbing. Then keep the paper in a cool, relatively dry place while you check the result.
Careful. Heat sets stains, so keep the paper away from radiators and vents.
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.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The glue should come up in small bits rather than smearing into the paper. If the spot starts to look thin or fuzzy, stop there, because more rubbing will only add damage.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your paper, books & photos
Old photographs and photos
Photographs change the plan, because surface cleaning isn't safe for them at home. Don't scrape, brush or erase on a photo, and skip the eraser crumbs too.
Don't use canned air or freezing on old photos either, since neither is a safe way to loosen the glue. For a valuable photograph, take it to a photograph conservator before you touch it, and keep it in a cool, relatively dry place until then.
Stick on paper
If the mark came from a glue stick, you may not know which adhesive it is. Check the packaging first, then use only the dry steps, since those are the ones paper can take at home.
Don't add water or solvent just to find out what it is. If the spot doesn't lift after the dry steps, stop and ask a paper conservator rather than trying stronger treatments.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Old glue that has been on paper for years is harder to lift than fresh glue. Repeat the dry steps in the same order, scraping and brushing gently with fresh eraser crumbs each time.
Dried glue that has gone hard usually won't come up with dry methods alone, and paper can't take water or solvent at home to soften it. Don't try to soften it with any liquid. Lift only the parts that come away easily and leave the rest alone.
If the glue is still there after this, the mark may be embedded in the paper, and home surface cleaning doesn't remove embedded stains. Super glue and epoxy are usually permanent, so a paper conservator is the next step. Ask them before you attempt anything stronger.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on glue on paper, books & photos?
Most household remedies are wet or solvent-based, and paper can't take either at home. Water and solvents aren't safe for paper at home, so stick with dry tools like a dull knife and eraser crumbs.
Avoid7
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't add water, ice or solvent.
Home cleaning of paper is dry only, and soaking can cause irreversible damage. Ice and cold water count as wet treatments here, so skip them too, even when the packaging suggests hardening the glue.
Don't use tape or sticky notes.
Self-stick tape can be extremely difficult to remove, even when it's marketed as archival. Sticky notes and extra adhesive only add to the mess, so keep them away from the paper.
Don't leave eraser crumbs in a book.
Eraser granules get trapped in the gutter, where they're hard to clean out. Brush the crumbs off the page and check the gutter before closing the book.
When to call a professional
Call a paper conservator when an item is valuable, has progressing damage, is handled often, or has an embedded stain or tape residue. Photographs need a photograph conservator, and items of high monetary, historic or sentimental value should be handled only with a conservator's guidance. If you're not sure a method is safe, ask before you try it.
Questions
How do I remove glue from paper without damaging it?
Keep the paper dry, scrape gently with a dull knife or spoon, and brush lightly with a soft natural-bristle brush. Finish with grated, non-colored vinyl eraser crumbs for whatever is left. Those steps cover what paper can handle at home.
Can I dampen the glue to loosen it on paper?
No. Paper can't take water at home, and soaking can cause irreversible damage, so the dry steps are the safe route. Work the glue loose by scraping and brushing instead.
Does super glue come off paper?
Usually not at home. Super glue and epoxy cure hard and are usually permanent, so a dry scrape will rarely remove them fully. A paper conservator is the right person to ask about them.
Can I remove glue from an old photograph at home?
Usually not, since photographs can't be surface-cleaned at home. Ask a photograph conservator before you try anything, especially with a valuable print.
When should I call a paper conservator?
Call one when the item is valuable, has progressing damage, is handled often, or has an embedded stain or tape residue. If you're unsure whether a method is safe, a conservator can tell you before you risk the paper.
What if I don't know what kind of glue it is?
Check the packaging first, since many makers print removal instructions. If you still don't know, stick to the dry steps only and don't add water or solvent to test it.
Glue on other materials
Other stains on paper, books & photos
Start from the bigger picture
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.