Restoring a Mug's Handle: A Step-by-Step Guide

If your favorite mug takes a tumble off the counter or simply succumbs to everyday wear, you might find its handle has broken off. Before you toss it in the trash, consider that repairing it is an option. Using the appropriate adhesive, you can bond the handle back onto the cup and keep using it for years, provided you can accept a few cosmetic flaws.

A mishap can result in a broken coffee cup handle.

Step 1

Rinse the fractured surfaces of the detached handle and the remaining stubs on the cup with water. If a beverage like coffee spilled and left a stain on the handle, add soap to the water. This cleaning step ensures a debris-free surface for the epoxy to adhere to.

Step 2

Take both tubes from the two-part epoxy kit—one contains liquid resin, the other liquid hardener. Mixing equal amounts (or the ratio specified by the manufacturer) creates a paste-like epoxy. Dispense equal portions (or the amount stated in the instructions) from each tube, side by side, onto a piece of cardboard or a shoebox lid.

Step 3

Using a small wooden craft stick, blend the resin and hardener together with slow, gentle strokes until well combined. The mixture will thicken into a paste.

Step 4

With the tip of the craft stick, apply the epoxy to the broken edges of the handle and the matching areas on the cup body. Avoid overapplying, as excess epoxy can create a messy, dripping situation.

Step 5

Align the detached handle with the broken stubs on the cup and press them together firmly. Hold the handle steady for about three to four minutes to allow the epoxy to begin setting, then carefully release. Wrap masking tape tightly around the handle and cup to keep the handle in position while it cures.

Step 6

Remove any squeezed-out epoxy with the end of the craft stick. Let the cup sit undisturbed overnight before taking off the tape.