Did the handle of your favorite mug just snap off? Or maybe one of the chairs at your kitchen table has a loose leg. You don’t need to toss these products just because they’re broken. Many household items can be fixed easily with little effort — if you use the best stuff for the job. Here, a handy guide from the Good Housekeeping Research Institute on which glue is right for which project.
Broken object: One of the legs of your wooden step stool came loose.
Use: Wood (carpenter's) glue
Why: You may be most familiar with the yellow, resin-based variety, but it also can be white or tan. All clean up easily with water when still wet. With any wood glue, pieces should be clamped while setting for the best bond. Most formulas can be sanded down once dry, and some have wood fibers mixed in for better results with postfix painting.
If you’re working on outdoor furniture, look for “waterproof” on the glue’s label.
Also good for: The corner joint of a wooden picture frame that has separated.
Brands to try: Titebond, Elmer's
Broken object: The handle of your beloved "World's Best Mom" mug snapped.
Use: Instant adhesive
Why: True to its name, this clear-drying glue does the job in seconds. So if you're fixing something that would be awkward to clamp, this is your best option.
Look for flexible formulas if your repair needs to bend (like reattaching a belt backing).
Such a quick curing time does have drawbacks. If you line up your pieces wrong, they can get stuck that way. And so can your fingers - keep a bottle of acetone-based nail polish remover or even simple cooking oil handy to separate conjoined digits.
Also good for: A peeling rubber edge on a sneaker; a loose stone from costume jewelry.
Brands to try: Super Glue, Krazy Glue, Loctite
Broken object: The wood handle popped out of your metal rake or shovel.
Use: Polyurethane glue
Why: Great for attaching one material to another (e.g., metal to wood) and for porous materials (like brick), this adhesive typically expands as it dries, forming an extremely strong bond.
Because it can take up to 24 hours to cure, you have to clamp, prop, tape or weigh down the pieces in place.
Some formulas are brown, so wear gloves and be careful when applying.
Also good for: A hand mirror that has come out of its frame; house numbers on a brick wall.
Brands to try: Gorilla, Titebond, Excel
Broken object: The trim is falling off a fabric or paper lampshade
Use: Craft glue
Why: A thicker, more versatile version of the white stuff your kids use for art projects, this clear-drying substance is perfect for repairing paper, fabrics, non-weight-bearing wood projects, ceramic or plastics. But be careful if your project may get wet - some craft glues come loose if wet.
Also good for: Wooden knickknacks; peeling puzzle pieces
Brands to try: Aleene's, Sobo, Elmer's
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