A popular household name, Gorilla Glue, offers heavy-duty formulas designed primarily for wood, metal, stone, and similar materials. So should you use Gorilla Glue on fabric?
The short answer is no—the original Gorilla Glue formula is not usually recommended for direct fabric bonding. Its thick consistency and rigid finish make it unsuitable for most fabric applications. However, Gorilla Glue does offer a specialty adhesive called Gorilla Fabric Glue, designed specifically for fabrics.
Key Takeaways on Gorilla Glue and Fabric
- Original Gorilla Glue is too thick and stiff for flexible fabric bonds. It can damage delicate materials.
- Gorilla Fabric Glue creates flexible, washable bonds specifically designed for fabric projects.
- Follow fabric glue instructions carefully for best results. Test on a fabric scrap first.
- Sewing provides the most durable bond for frequent laundering and wear. Glue works for quick fixes.
- For specific materials like leather or vinyl, super glue can sometimes work in a pinch—but fabric glues are usually a better bet for durability.
Why Original Gorilla Glue Doesn’t Work Well on Fabric
Gorilla Glue first launched its super-strong polyurethane formula in 1994. The water-activated adhesive expands as it dries, bonding tightly with porous materials like wood. Over 25 years later, the brand offers a range of heavy-duty glue products, but none specifically formulated for fabric—until recently.
Here are the main reasons to avoid the original Gorilla Glue formula on fabrics:
Stiff, Inflexible Bond
Gorilla Glue expands and dries hard as concrete. This makes it impractical for bonding flexible materials like fabrics. The rigid glue will prevent fabric from draping properly, making items stiff and uncomfortable.
Potential to Damage Delicate Fabrics
Gorilla Glue bonds incredibly tightly. This is perfect for adhering wood, metal, and ceramic pieces. But on delicate fabrics, the strong adhesive could cause tears or holes. Attempting to separate bonded fabric can cause further damage.
Difficult to Remove Once Dry
Dried Gorilla Glue is designed to create permanent bonds. Attempting to peel it off fabric risks damaging the material. The hardened adhesive is also very difficult to scrape or sand off fabric.
White Glue Discoloration
Original Gorilla Glue dries to an off-white color. This dried glue residue will likely discolor printed fabrics and show through thin or light-colored material.
Not Ideal for Fabric-to-Metal Bonds
While Gorilla Glue bonds very strongly with most non-porous surfaces, its performance from fabric to metal is not reliable. The smooth metal surface combined with flexible fabric often results in weak bonds.
Gorilla Glue Fabric Glue for Fabrics – Key Features
Gorilla recognized the need for a fabric-friendly formula. In 2020, the brand launched Gorilla Fabric Glue, designed specifically to bond fabrics and resist laundering. Here are its key features:
Flexible Bond
The Gorilla Fabric Glue formula creates a flexible bond between fabric pieces. Once dry, it allows fabric to move and drape naturally.
Washable Formula
This fabric glue maintains its bond even after washing and drying. No more repairs unraveling in the laundry!
Clear Drying
The Gorilla Fabric Glue dries transparent rather than white. This prevents any visible glue stains on your fabric projects.
No Stiffening
Gorilla Fabric Glue keeps fabric flexible and soft. It does not alter the feel or movement of the material.
Versatile Uses
Use this fabric glue for hemming, binding seams, attaching appliqués, and other fabric repairs or crafts.
Water and Weather Resistant
Bonds resist damage from moisture, rain, and snow.
When to Use Gorilla Fabric Glue on Fabrics
Gorilla Fabric Glue is suitable for bonding lightweight, medium-weight, and heavy-duty fabrics. Here are some example uses:
Hems on Clothing and Soft Furnishings
Create durable hems on curtains, tablecloths, pants, dresses, and other items that require laundering. The flexible glue prevents stiffness.
Appliqué Embellishments
Secure appliqué shapes like flowers, letters, and geometric designs on clothing, blankets, banners, and quilts.
Patching Holes
Repair holes or tears on clothing, upholstery, canvas accessories, and more.
Binding Seams
Glue folded-under seam allowances to prevent fraying and give a professional finish.
Crafts like Plushies and Accessories
Adhere details like eyes, noses, and other embellishments on handmade plushies, bags, hats, and other fabric crafts.
Outdoor Fabric Repairs
Fix rips or seams on outdoor cushions, tents, tarps, and other rugged fabrics exposed to weather.
Attaching Fabric to Hard Surfaces
Secure fabric coverings to surfaces like wood, metal, plastic, cardboard, and more to create upholstered furniture, headboards, jewelry displays, and other decorative fabric crafts.
Tips for Using Gorilla Fabric Glue
Follow these tips when using Gorilla Fabric Glue for best results:
- Check the label to verify the formula is suitable for your fabric type. Test on a fabric scrap first.
- Only apply a thin layer of glue—too much can soak through fabric or take longer to dry.
- Let glue dry completely, up to 72 hours, depending on bond strength needed.
- Once dried, the glue remains somewhat flexible but becomes permanent.
- Washable bonds can withstand occasional washing but may degrade with frequent laundering.
- For invisible repairs, apply glue to the backside of fabric pieces to conceal.
- Ironing over the glue line while drying can help ensure a flat, crisp bond.
Fabric Glue Comparison Chart
Here’s how Gorilla Fabric Glue stacks up against some other top-rated fabric adhesives:
| Glue | Best For | Dry Time | Washable? | Notes |
| Gorilla Fabric | All fabrics, including outdoor | 24 hours heavy duty, 8 hours delicate | Yes | Clear drying, flexible |
| Aleene’s Fabric Fusion | Sheers, silks, delicate fabrics | 1-2 minutes | Yes | Flexible, acid-free |
| Beacon Fabri-Tac | General fabric bonding | 24 hours | Yes | Dries matte finish |
| Loctite Fabric | Flexibles like leather & vinyl | 10-20 minutes | Yes | Bonds rubbery fabrics |
| E6000 Craft | Fabric, leather, vinyl, felt | 24-72 hours | No | Industrial strength |
How to Use Gorilla Fabric Glue for Repairs
Follow these simple steps for easy fabric repairs with Gorilla Fabric Glue:
- Clean and dry the fabric. Remove any dirt, debris, or lint. Let wet fabric dry fully.
- Apply a thin layer of glue to one side of the fabric only. Too much glue may soak through or take longer to dry.
- Firmly press both sides of fabric together. Use clamps if needed for a tight hold.
- Allow the recommended dry time based on your project needs—24 hours for a permanent bond on heavy fabrics or 8 hours for lighter materials.
- Once dry, the repaired fabric is washable. Take care not to overload the area with detergent or heat from the dryer when laundering.
- For invisible repairs, apply glue to the backside of the tear or seam to hide any evidence of gluing on the front of the fabric.
What About Super Glue and Fabric?
Super glue, or cyanoacrylate adhesive, offers very fast drying times. However, it has some drawbacks for bonding most types of fabric:
- Super glue can dry stiff and inflexible, potentially restricting fabric movement.
- It may not withstand laundering or frequent use of the fabric item.
- Bonds may come loose over time as the fabric fibers flex and move.
- Fumes during drying can discolor some fabric dyes.
However, super glue can work in a pinch for quick fixes on specific materials like leather, vinyl, plastic, rubber, felt, and other non-woven fabrics. Check the label for fabric suitability and test a small area first. For best results, opt for a specialty fabric glue like Gorilla Fabric Glue.
Sewing vs. Fabric Glue
Sewing provides the most secure, long-lasting bond for fabrics, especially those that will undergo frequent laundering. However, it’s not always practical for quick repairs, small projects, or bonding fabric to non-textile materials. In those cases, a fabric glue can be a quicker, easier solution. Consider the project needs when deciding whether to sew or use fabric glue.
Final Thoughts
Gorilla Glue offers super-strong adhesives for multiple uses. While their original formula isn’t suitable for most fabrics, the Gorilla Fabric Glue gives you a flexible, washable bonding solution for all types of fabric repairs and crafts. Follow the usage tips in this guide, and you’ll be able to glue fabrics with confidence using the right Gorilla product for your project.