To get gum out of clothes effectively, follow these proven methods:
Freezing Method
- Place the gum-stained clothing in a plastic bag with the gum facing outwards.
- Freeze it for about two hours until the gum hardens.
- Use a butter knife, spoon, or credit card to gently scrape off the frozen gum.
- This method prevents the gum from sticking and makes it easier to remove
Ice Cube Method
- If you can't freeze the whole garment, rub ice cubes over the gum until it hardens.
- Then scrape off the gum carefully with a blunt edge tool.
- This is a quick alternative to freezing the entire garment
Heat Method (Ironing)
- Place a piece of cardboard on an ironing board.
- Lay the gum-stained fabric over the cardboard with the gum side facing the cardboard.
- Iron the back of the fabric on medium heat.
- The gum will transfer to the cardboard.
- Move the fabric to a clean section of the cardboard and repeat until the gum is removed.
- Wash the garment afterward
Use of Household Products
- Apply petroleum jelly or Goo Gone to loosen the gum, then pick off as much as possible.
- Pretreat the area with an oil- and grease-fighting stain remover.
- Wash as usual
- Alternatively, use rubbing alcohol on a cloth to loosen the gum, then scrape it off.
- Toothpaste can be applied to the gum, allowed to dry, and then peeled off.
- Heat distilled white vinegar and rub it on the gum with a toothbrush to dissolve it
- WD-40, Lanacane, or lighter fluid can also be used cautiously to loosen gum
Additional Tips
- Avoid putting gum-stained clothes directly into the washer or dryer as heat can set the gum stain or melt it further into fabric
- After removal, launder the garment normally and check before drying to ensure all gum residue is gone
- If gum melted inside the dryer, clean the drum with ice and pre-wash spray to prevent transfer to other clothes
By choosing the method that best suits your situation and fabric type, you can effectively remove gum from clothes without damaging them.
