Glue is wonderful stuff for –well for sticking things together! There are few things more frustrating though than not having the right kind of glue at the right time for the right thing. Every home should probably carry a variety of different glues that can be used.
Possibly the four most versatile types of glue are the glue stick, superglue, hot melt glue and good old white (Elmers) glue.
A glue stick is especially useful if you have kids who need to be pasting things into books for assignments. It can also act as a useful alternative to pins when sewing. A glue stick is a must for every scrap booker and works fine for all but the most professional photographic gluing jobs.
Superglue is great for gluing almost anything to anything. It is especially good for putting things back on to where they have fallen off. Many an ornament has been saved with a drop of superglue. Be aware though that it doesn’t work on everything and it is hard to get off. If you have ever wondered how to remove super glue here are a couple of tips: If it hasn’t dried, dab it with a towel (don’t wipe). Acetone works well and sometimes soapy warm water will do the trick. There is also an official ‘superglue remover’ that is available for sale.
A hot glue gun is useful for all kinds of things. It is often a quick and simple way to mend many basic household items, so long as they are not going to be subjected to heat later on. Hot melt glue should be used only under adult supervision, but it can be the basis of many craft ideas for both children and adults.
For crafts involving fabric, you may find it worth investing in a more specialised fabric glue. These generally come in two kinds: washable and non-washable. You can even get specialised glues to prevent fraying. Tacky glue is also useful for fabrics. It is a rather like Elmers glue but thicker and stickier.
For some really tough jobs it can pay to use epoxy glue. These are the glues that have both a resin and a hardener which you mix together. They are particularly strong once cured. If super glue doesn’t work try epoxy.
Whatever you need to stick on, or stick together there will be just the right glue for the purpose. If you are not sure which glue to use, ask at your local hardware supply store.
