Remove Rubber Cement Stains

By Matt Oden | Comments | Chemical Stains → Rubber Cement

A craft and project essential, rubber cement is a must-have around the house, but if you are left with an accidental mess then it is just as essential that you know how to remove rubber cement stains. As with most stains, the best step to take is to protect your work surfaces and your clothing when you are working with rubber cement or any other type of crafts material.

Rubber cements have been designed to be easily removed, without leaving any traces behind after removed. However, there are occasions where you could find yourself with the need to remove rubber cement stains. The great news is that rubber cement stains are relatively easy to remove from the majority of surfaces that you may find them on.

Something to keep in mind as all times when you are working to remove rubber cement stains is that this is a highly flammable substance that should not be treated with any form of heat, lest you inadvertently start a fire.

Remove Rubber Cement Stains From Carpeting

What You Will Need Before You Start

Clean white absorbent towel
Dry-cleaning solvent
Liquid dish detergent
White vinegar
Clean sponge

Carpeting can take a beating in any household. When working on crafts and other projects, it is all too easy to accidently spill something on your carpet. While it might be a little more involved to remove rubber cement stains from carpets or rugs, it is actually a lot easier than you might be imagining it to be.

Peel or scrape off as much of the rubber cement as you possibly can. Some people find that a dull plastic knife or spoon can be an effective tool for this type of job.
Blot dry-cleaning solvent onto the carpet, using your clean sponge.
Mix a tablespoon of white vinegar and a tablespoon of liquid dish detergent together with two cups of hot water.
Sponge the cleaning solution onto the stain on your carpet.
Blot at the stain until the cleaning solution has been absorbed by the fibers of the carpet.
With a clean sponge and fresh cool water, blot again to remove traces of the suds.
Press firmly on the damp carpet with a white towel in order to absorb the moisture.

Allow the carpet or rug to dry thoroughly before walking on it, otherwise you run the risk of it becoming a veritable magnet for dirt and grime.

Remove Rubber Cement Stains From Fabric

What You Will Need Before You Start

Dull plastic knife or plastic spoon
Petroleum jelly
Stain pretreating spray or gel

It is all too easy to get rubber cement on your clothing or table linens when you are working on a project. With just a few basics that you likely have around the house right now, you’ll be able to swiftly remove rubber cement stains from fabric.

Scrape off any excess rubber cement, either using the plastic knife or plastic spoon.
If there is any remaining residue from the rubber cement, take a tiny bit of petroleum jelly and put it on your finger. Carefully roll your finger over the stain and you’ll find that any remaining pieces lift up quite easily.
Swiftly treat the stain with laundry pretreating spray or gel. This will remove rubber cement stains that might be lingering and also serve the purpose of getting rid of any of the petroleum jelly that might be remaining.
Launder as per the care instructions on the tag, ensuring that you don’t run it through the dryer until you are sure that the stains have been completely removed.

Also be sure that you use only the slightest amounts of petroleum jelly otherwise you’ll soon find yourself needing to know how to remove petroleum jelly stains!

Remove Rubber Cement Stains From Upholstered Furniture

What You Will Need Before You Start

Plastic spoon or dull plastic knife
Dry-cleaning solvent
Clean sponge
White absorbent towel

Thankfully it is relatively easy to remove rubber cement stains from upholstered furniture, but as with the majority of stains it is typically better to move swiftly on the treatment of the stains before you are left with a larger problem to deal with.

Scrape off as much of the rubber cement as possible, using a plastic spoon or dull plastic knife. The nature of rubber cement could just mean that you are able to peel it off with your fingernails, also.
Blot the dry-cleaning solvent onto the stain with a clean sponge until the area is thoroughly covered.
With a damp sponge, blot at the stain until the stain has been removed.
Use the white absorbent towel, pressed firmly on the upholstered furniture, to remove the moisture from the furniture. This will help it to dry faster.

Be sure to allow the upholstered surface to dry thoroughly before using the furniture again. This will help to prevent dirt and grime from latching onto the damp surface.

Remove Rubber Cement Stains From Wooden Surfaces

What You Will Need Before You Start

Petroleum jelly
White vinegar
Liquid dish detergent
Clean sponge
Clean rags or towels

Despite best efforts to protect your work surface or your floors, it is still possible to wind up with the need to remove rubber cement stains from your wood floors, cabinets, or even tabletops.

Scrape off as much of the rubber cement as you can, using your fingers. If need be, dab the smallest amounts of petroleum jelly onto your finger tips and roll them over the rubber cement. This should lift the rubber cement right up, without much trouble at all.
Mix a teaspoon of dish detergent in a cup of white vinegar and sponge the cleaning solution onto the wooden surface.
Rinse clear with fresh water.
Dry thoroughly with a clean towel or clean rag.

Be sure not to use anything that could potentially scratch the finish on the wood. This means to avoid using scrubbing brushes or even sponges that have a scrubbing side to them.