How to Remove Rubber Cement Stains: Tips and Guidelines

Rubber cement stains can be tricky to remove. Here are some stain removal tips to use when rubber cement stains occur.

The first step in removing rubber cement stains is to identify the stained material.

Below are the most common types of materials that can become rubber cement-stained, with steps on how to remove rubber cement from each:

Fibers such as Acetate, Acrylic Fabric, Burlap, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Cotton, Fiberglass, Linen Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Rayon, Silk, Spandex, Triacetate, Wool
Hard surfaces such as Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Cork, Glass, Leather, Linoleum, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Stainless Steel, Suede, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering, Wood

Fibers

Follow these steps to remove rubber cement stains from Acetate, Acrylic Fabric, Burlap, Carpet/Synthetic, Carpet/Wool, Cotton, Fiberglass, Linen Modacrylic, Nylon, Olefin, Polyester, Rayon, Silk, Spandex, Triacetate, Wool:

Rub away as much excess as possible.
If stain remains, place a clean, absorbent pad under the stain, if possible.
Apply a dry-cleaning solvent such as Afta Cleaning Fluid.
Cover the stain with an absorbent pad dampened with the dry-cleaning solvent.
Change the pads as they pick up the stain.
Keep stain and pads moist.
Apply a dry spotter.
Cover with a pad dampened with the dry spotter.
Remove pad every 5 minutes.
Press the pad hard into the stain, but don't rub.
Continue with the alternate soaking and pressing until all the stain has been removed.
Flush (the method of applying stain remover to loosen staining materials and residue from stain removers) with dry-cleaning solvent and allow to dry.

Hard Surfaces

Follow these steps to remove rubber cement stains from Acrylic Plastic, Aluminum, Ceramic Glass/Tile, Cork, Glass, Leather, Linoleum, Paint/Flat, Paint/Gloss, Plexiglas, Stainless Steel, Suede, Vinyl Clothing, Vinyl Tile, Vinyl Wallcovering, Wood:

Scrape (the method of using a scraping tool to gently lift off excess solid or caked-on stains) to remove liquid.
Use a rubber cement pick-up, available at most art or stationery stores, to gently rub any remaining cement.
This should remove any trace of the stain.