Nov 06 2008
Adventures With Adhesive Bandages
What is it about the inexpensive, off-brand, dollar store adhesive bandages that makes the manufacturers think they need industrial strength glue? I got a small cut on my thumb at work today and asked for a bandage since I didn’t wan to bleed on the mail, and of course they don’t buy a certain brand name that we all know so well. Nope, I got the cheap ones. I mean, I shouldn’t knock them because they won’t come off, no matter how many times I have to wash my hands.
But that’s the thing.
They don’t come off.
After I got home this evening, I figured it was safe to take the bandage off because my wound wasn’t bleeding any more and sitting here at my computer, my hands will stay a lot cleaner than at work. So I started peeling the damn thing off. It stuck pretty good, and felt like it was taking a layer of skin with it as it came off. But when it was all done, I was stuck with a super sticky layer of adhesive.
I went into the bathroom and washed my hands, hoping that the soap would get rid of it. No dice. After drying my hands, I now had towel fuzz on my thumb. Then I tried rubbing alcohol. That works when I have stuff stuck to glass, so I figured it would work here. No dice. Not only did it refuse to remove the adhesive, it also dripped into my wound and burned. It hurt more than when I cut myself in the first place. Now my thumb burned, and was still covered in adhesive and towel fuzz.
I went and showed my wound to Mister, because he wants to make sure that I’m not mortally wounded, and tried to think of what would get this sticky stuff off. I might have been tempted to give up the effort, but this is the thumb of my right hand. I can’t go around getting stuff stuck to my thumb all night long. I thought and thought.
Then it came to me.
WD-40.
The Holy Grail of adhesive removers.
It would definitely work on the adhesive, but how would it fare with my wound? I decided to chance it. We have one of those fancy WD-40 pens that allow for a fairly precise application, so I knew I wouldn’t end up spraying the stuff all over my hand and whatever part of the house was nearby.
I went into the kitchen and removed the pen from the utility drawer. I removed the cap and dabbed a bit onto my thumb. Then I rubbed it in and removed it with a paper towel. I checked the area I just treated, and lo and behold the adhesive was gone! And get this - my wound didn’t burn, either (though I wouldn’t recommend using large amounts of this near larger wounds. I was trying to be very careful not to get any in my wound.) I finished removing the adhesive from my thumb and nail, and replaced the WD-40. I was happy, and my thumb was no longer covered in adhesive or towel fuzz.
As far as adhesive removers go, WD-40 is the best stuff I have ever tried. I’ve used other brands - the ones that have OFF or GONE in their names, but they just don’t work as well as this stuff you can find in a blue and yellow can in the automotive aisle. All hail WD-40!
Oh, and try to avoid the off brand adhesive bandages. Unless you really don’t want them to come off.
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2 Comments to “Adventures With Adhesive Bandages”
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I’m with you!
The last time I used a bandage, I had to use nail polish remover to clean up the glue left on my finger. It wouldn’t come out… even after a shower!
I was afraid to get a rash :lol:
Did the nail polish remover work? I really like the WD-40 for stuff like this.