How to Get Gum Out of Clothes: 10 Simple Tricks That Work

You’re preparing for an important meeting with a client, but your child has decided to set up an ambush with gum on your chair. Et voila – now the gum has made a mess, and you don’t have anything to wear. Don’t worry; we’ve all been there.

So, how to get gum out of clothes once and for all without damaging the fabric? Read on to find out. 

Use Ice Cubes

This method might seem like a no-brainer, as it’s the first thing that comes to mind when you find a wad of gum stuck onto your clothes. However, keep in mind that this trick works with bulky or thick clothing, such as jeans, as it might fade or damage the more delicate materials. 

First, you’ll need a bunch of ice cubes and a freezer bag. You’ll also need a knife, but a blunt-edged one, or an old toothbrush. Once you get your tools, put the ice cubes in the bag and zip them. Now, place the bag with ice cubes on the gum until it has stiffened, for around 20 minutes. Then, you can try to scrape it away with a knife, a toothbrush, or even the edge of a credit card. 

Freezing the Gum

Yet another tried-and-true method you can use to get gum out of clothes with ice is to freeze the sticky gob off. This works better with delicate fabrics such as silk, cotton, wool, linen, or chiffon. First, fold the garment with the gum facing upwards, and place it in a plastic bag. Then, let it sit in a freezer for at least an hour for the gum to harden. 

Once you take the clothes out, you can try to pull the loose bits of the gum with your fingers or pick off small pieces with tweezers. Then, try removing the remaining gum with a toothbrush or gently scrape it off. 

Iron and Heat 

If you’re not a winter person, you can try the opposite method to using ice: you can get the chewing gum out of your clothes by applying heat and steam. For this technique, you’ll need a piece of cardboard that you’ll put on the ironing board. 

Then, place the garment on top of the cardboard, but make sure the gum faces down. The iron should be set on medium heat. Place the iron firmly on the garment, and do not move it, or you’ll end up making an even bigger mess. 

Wait for a couple of minutes until the heat softens and melts the chewing gum and transfers it to the cardboard. Now, simply peel the clothing away from the cardboard and wash it as usual. 

Steam it Away

This method might require some odd props, but it still does the job, especially with more delicate fabrics. 

Namely, to remove gum from clothes, you’ll first need to prepare a tea kettle. When the kettle starts steaming, hold the section of your garment with the gum over it until it softens. Alternatively, if it’s safe for the material, you can soak it in boiling water.

When the gum softens, carefully scrape it with a toothbrush, butter knife, or a kitchen scraper.

The All-Mighty Vinegar

Every kitchen’s all-purpose cleaner, white vinegar, can work wonders with messy and sticky gums. Make sure you’re using white distilled vinegar, though. 

Pour it into a small pot and heat it in the microwave for 30 seconds. Once warm enough, take an old toothbrush, dip it into the acidic liquid, and rub the stain. The acid will hopefully dissolve the gum until it comes off easier. 

There’s another way to get smeared gum out of clothes with vinegar. Simply pour the vinegar over the chewing gum and add a pinch of baking soda. As we know from our cleaning ovens experience, vinegar and baking soda will create quite a reaction, and the fizzy bubbling foam will eventually break down the residue. 

Use Alcohol on Gum

Another liquid that always delivers good results when cleaning and removing gum from clothes is alcohol. If you have a cotton ball, sponge, or swab at home, dip it into rubbing alcohol (an isopropyl alcohol product) and apply it liberally over the piece of gum stuck on the fabric. Let it sit for a while until the alcohol dissolves the polymers in the gum, and the material dries out. 

Then, to get the gum out of the clothes with rubbing alcohol applied, you can either pull it off with duct tape or scrape it off. The good news is that rubbing alcohol won’t damage sensitive materials and fibers, so you can apply it liberally without worrying that you’ll destroy your clothes.

Peanut Butter Works, Too

Yes, we know. It sounds bizarre. But it works, and that’s all that matters. 

The reason is simple – everyone’s favorite spread for oatmeal mixes like Oats Overnight consists of fats and oils that can and will make the chewing gum less sticky. Once you pour a generous amount of peanut butter, wait at least 10 minutes for it to start to work. Make sure to use creamy butter, not the crunchy sort.

Then, use a dull knife to scrape off the gum along with the peanut butter. Finish by washing the clothing in a machine to remove any remaining stains. 

Hairspray to the Rescue

A useful solution that’ll help you get bubble gum out of clothes might be found in your bathroom. Take an ordinary bottle of hairspray and spray it right on the gum. The spray will make the gum residue harden quickly and break down easily. Simply take a dull knife or a paint scraper and scrape it off.

WD-40 Wonder

Even though it’s often used as a lubricant, WD-40 can break down more than just grease and oil. So, how do you use this American classic against stubborn chewing gum?

Simply spray some solution directly on the gum and use an old toothbrush or a piece of cloth to rub it off the garment gently. Make sure to wash it off with detergent or dish soap immediately, as WD-40 can be pretty rough on your clothes. 

Use Gasoline

Removing gum from fabric can be done with gasoline (petrol) or even lighter fluid if you can’t find gasoline. The fact that it can be hazardous and flammable, has a strong odor, and is harsh on the fabric makes it a less-than-ideal choice overall. 

Still, you want to use just a tiny amount directly on the stain, which will quickly dissolve the gum. Then, remove any residue with a knife or toothbrush, and soak the garment to kill the odor. 

Wash it after with some laundry detergent to remove any stains left by the petrol.

Wrapping Up

Before grabbing the nearest solution for getting gum out of clothes, it’s vital that you take into consideration the type of material you’re dealing with. With just a bit of patience, you’ll get that sticky Doublemint out in no time!