How to Get Rid of Gum Stains on Clothes? How to Get Rid of Gum Stains on Shoes? How to Get Rid of Gum Stains on Carpet?

Removing gum from different surfaces can be a bit tricky because it’s sticky and tends to collect dirt. To tackle gum stains effectively, you typically need to follow a two-step process: first, remove the bulk of the gum, and then deal with the sticky residue using a cleaner or stain remover.

Avoid tossing gum-stained items into the washing machine or dryer. Heat can set the gum stain and make it transfer to other items in the load. Here’s a simple guide on how to remove gum from various materials.

WARNING: Avoid using hazardous substances like gas or lighter fluid to remove gum stains, as they can cause further issues.

Related article: 5 Simple Ways to Declutter Your Home and Improve Your Quality of Life

How to Remove Gum Stains From Clothes

1. Harden the Gum

• Place the stained item in a plastic bag and freeze it for a few hours. This works well if the gum has melted in the dryer or spread over a large area.
• Alternatively, if the gum stain is small, put ice cubes in a plastic bag and hold them on the gum for a few minutes.

2. Scrape off the Gum

• Take the item out of the freezer (or remove the ice cubes) and immediately scrape off the gum using a butter knife or the edge of a credit card. The goal is to remove most of the gum solids. If needed, refreeze and scrape again.

3. Pretreat the Stain

• Treat the remaining spot with a mixture of equal parts liquid dishwashing detergent and white distilled vinegar.
• Gently rub the solution onto the fabric from the front and let it sit for at least 15 minutes.
• For old and dry gum stains, use petroleum jelly to loosen the gum. Apply a small amount to the base of the gum wad, allowing you to pick it off. Before washing, treat the fabric to remove the grease stain caused by the petroleum jelly.

4. Wash As Usual

• Wash the garment using your regular laundry detergent.
• Check the stained area before air drying or using the dryer. If any stain remains, treat it again with the soap and vinegar mixture, then wash again.
• Don’t use the dryer until you’re sure the stain is completely gone. If in doubt, air dry and check again once the garment is dry.

How to Remove Gum Stains From Shoes

To remove gum from your shoes, follow these easy steps:

Freezing Method

• Place the shoe in a sealed plastic bag and let it sit in the freezer for about an hour until the gum becomes hard. Alternatively, use the ice cube and plastic bag technique mentioned earlier.

Scrape Off the Gum

• Carefully scrape off the bulk of the gum using a butter knife or the edge of a credit card. Be extra cautious with suede shoes and boots.

Apply Cleaning Solution

• Treat any remaining gum stain with a mixture of liquid dishwashing soap and white vinegar. Sponge the solution onto the stain, wait for around 10 minutes, and then blot it off with a clean cloth. Repeat if needed.

Final Touch

Finish by blotting with a clean cloth dipped in plain water. Let the shoe air dry. If leather shoes lose their shine, use a leather conditioner to restore it.

How to Remove Gum Stains From Upholstery and Carpet

You can use the same approach for both upholstery and carpet. Here’s how:

Freezing Method

• Place a sealed plastic bag with a few ice cubes on the gum stain to freeze and harden it for a few minutes.

Gentle Scrape

• Use a very dull knife or a spoon to gently scrape off as much gum as possible.

Cleaning Solution

• For carpet stains, mix equal parts liquid dishwashing detergent and white vinegar. Use a soft-bristled brush to work a small amount of the solution into the stain. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes.

Blot and Rinse

• • Blot the stained area with a clean white cloth dipped in plain water. Keep blotting until no more solution or residue transfers to the cloth.

Air-Dry and Fluff

• • Allow the carpet or upholstery to air-dry completely. Once dry, vacuum the fabric or carpet to fluff the fibres.

More Tips for Dealing with Gum Stains

Here are additional tips and safer methods to help you remove gum from various materials:

• Rubbing Alcohol Method:
  • Rubbing alcohol can help loosen gum from fabric or carpet. Apply it with a clean white cloth or paper towel and let it sit for a couple of minutes before removing the gum.
• Hairspray Trick:
  • In a pinch, try spraying hairspray on the gum to harden it before attempting to remove it.
• Hot Water Technique:
  • Instead of freezing, dipping the gum-affected area into very hot water can also help loosen it.
• Ironing Method:
  • Heat the item, gum side down on a piece of cardboard, with an iron set to medium. Press hard (without moving the iron) on the gum to loosen it.
• Steam Treatment:
  • Steam can be effective in loosening gum from fabric. Use a steamer, or if unavailable, use a teapot with a spout to direct steam onto the gum. Try removing the gum after a minute of steaming.
• Vinegar Boil Technique:
  • Boiling vinegar can soften gum. Dip the gum into the vinegar and use a toothbrush to remove it from the fabric.
• Working on Pants Pockets:
  • When removing gum from pants pockets, pull out the lining to make the process easier.
• Condensation Cleanup:
  • Have a towel handy to wipe up any condensation caused by ice packs or ice cubes during gum removal.
• Washer/Dryer Cleanup:
  • For gum stuck inside your washer or dryer, use the ice cube freezing method and scrape it off with a dull utensil or credit card.
• Dry Clean-Only Garments:
  • For dry clean-only garments, harden the gum and remove as much as possible before taking it to a professional cleaner. Point out and identify the stain to the cleaner, especially for silk or vintage fabrics.
• Home Dry Cleaning Kit:
  • If using a home dry cleaning kit, treat the remaining stain after removing the solids with the provided stain remover before putting the garment in the dryer bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will WD-40 remove gum from clothes?

WD-40 can be effective, but be cautious to avoid soaking other layers. Test it in an inconspicuous spot, as it may leave an oily residue on some fabrics.

How to remove gum washed and dried onto clothing?

Soften the sticky residue with white vinegar, rubbing alcohol, or petroleum jelly before scraping it off.

Can toothpaste remove gum from clothes?

Plain white toothpaste can be an alternative. Test in a hidden spot, apply, and use an old toothbrush to rub the spot lightly. After gum removal, pretreat with a stain remover and wash as usual.