# Getting rubber cement out of clothes-- need answer fast **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 8, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rubber-cement-out-of-clothes-need-answer-fast/615199 "2012-03-08T21:26:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c89c15/32.png) [@F.Pu-du-he-pa-as](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/F.Pu-du-he-pa-as)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rubber-cement-out-of-clothes-need-answer-fast/615199/1 "2012-03-08T21:26:36Z")
I just spilled an enormous amount of rubber cement on my pants. It’s still wet as I type, but it won’t stay that way for long. What’s the best way to get it out of my clothes? ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rubber-cement-out-of-clothes-need-answer-fast/615199/2 "2012-03-08T21:43:01Z")
if it is rubber cement used for paper, then let it dry and it will rub out is my best thought. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [March 8, 2012, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rubber-cement-out-of-clothes-need-answer-fast/615199/3 "2012-03-08T21:48:23Z")
Let it dry then scrape off as much as you can. Rub any remaining residue with petroleum jelly. Should roll right off. Failing that, [Goo Gone](http://www.googone.com/). ---
**Author:** ![Al\_Bundy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e79b87/32.png) [@Al\_Bundy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al_Bundy)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 12:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rubber-cement-out-of-clothes-need-answer-fast/615199/4 "2012-03-09T00:24:52Z")
> [@DCnDC](#): > > Let it dry then scrape off as much as you can. Rub any remaining residue with petroleum jelly. Should roll right off. > > Failing that, [Goo Gone](http://www.googone.com/). I just did a test and regular Goo Gone did not touch the rubber cement. However, naphtha, found in a can of lighter fluid, did cut it. ---
**Author:** ![thelabdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dc4da7/32.png) [@thelabdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thelabdude)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rubber-cement-out-of-clothes-need-answer-fast/615199/5 "2012-03-09T02:56:46Z")
> [@Al\_Bundy](#): > > I just did a test and regular Goo Gone did not touch the rubber cement. > However, naphtha, found in a can of lighter fluid, did cut it. Yes, I was going to suggest something like that. I am not familiar enough with rubber cement to be sure if it cures, forms additional chemical bonds, or just loses solvent. Time is the essence for things that cure. Note, latex paint doesn’t cure, but can’t be washed away with water anymore and difficult with other stuff. ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [March 9, 2012, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/getting-rubber-cement-out-of-clothes-need-answer-fast/615199/6 "2012-03-09T03:38:39Z")
Rubber cement has amazing cohesion. Do you have a rubber cement pickup? If not, wait until the cement is dry, then ball up a little and dab it onto the rest. It should pick up quite a bit of it. Then get the rest off with some rubber cement thinner (that’s good for many more things as well). This doesn’t have to be done right away.