How to Remove Chewing Gum From Clothes: 7 Easy & Fast Methods

Have you ever been in a situation where you’ve noticed gum stuck to your clothes and wondered how to remove it? Removing chewing gum from clothing can be an incredibly frustrating experience. It’s hard to get rid of the sticky mess without damaging or staining the fabric.

Don’t worry, we have 7 easy and fast methods for removing chewing gum from clothes that will help you get back to looking your best! With these tips, you’ll never have to worry about gum stuck on your clothes again.

1. Removing Chewing Gum with Rubbing Alcohol

Removing gum from clothes can be made much easier with the help of rubbing alcohol. The alcohol helps to soften and break down the gum, making it easier to remove. Simply apply a few drops of rubbing alcohol onto the gum and let it sit for a few minutes before scraping off with a butter knife, other blunt knife or even a spoon.

Scrape of as much gum as you can and then use a damp cloth to wipe off any remaining residue. If you find you have a gum stain after doing this, you can apply a laundry pre-treatment solution to the area and then wash as normal.

2. Using a Plastic Bag and Ice Cubes to Remove Gum

If you don’t have rubbing alcohol on hand, freezing the gum can also be a good way to remove it. Place a plastic freezer bag filled with ice cubes over top of the gum and let it sit for about 15 minutes. You can also rub an ice cube into the gum directly, this will help to harden the gum so that it’s easier to scrape off with a butter knife or other blunt knife.

Once the gum has been scraped off, use a damp cloth to wipe away any remaining gum and then wash the item of clothing as normal.

3. How to Get Rid of Gum with Liquid Laundry Detergent

Another great option with household items is liquid laundry detergent. The key to success with this method is to use warm water and liquid laundry detergent. To start, fill a bucket or bowl with warm water. Then add about a tablespoon of liquid laundry detergent. Mix it all together until the detergent has completely dissolved in the water.

Next, dip your clothing into the solution and swish it around gently. Allow the clothing to soak in the solution until you see the gum beginning to dissolve. If needed, use a soft-bristled brush to help remove any stubborn pieces of gum.

Once all of the gum is gone, rinse your clothing with clean, warm water and hang to dry or toss in the washing machine as usual.

4. Utilizing Lighter Fluid to Dissolve the Sticky Substance

If you have lighter fluid in your home, then this is a great option for removing gum from clothes. Start by laying the clothing flat on an old towel and spraying the lightweight fluid over top of the gum. Allow it to sit for about a minute before using a butter knife or other dull knife to scrape away as much of the gum as you can.

if you find the dried up gum is stuck on particularly hard, you can use a soft-bristled brush to help remove it.

Once the gum is gone, rinse the clothing with warm water and hang to dry or toss in the washing machine as usual.

5. Use White Vinegar to Dissolve Gum from Clothing

Another great and easy method to remove gum from clothes is to use white vinegar. First, place the cloth with gum over a bowl and pour white vinegar over it. The acetic acid in the vinegar will help dissolve the gum so that you can remove it more easily. After pouring the vinegar, let it sit for a few minutes to really get into the sticky residue, before scrubbing gently on the fabric with a toothbrush or other soft bristled brush. Rinse the fabric in cold water and remove any excess pieces of gum before washing as usual.

If it’s not moving, you could try dipping all the gum into very hot water, this can help the stuck on gum to loosen with the head and make you job a bit easier. Try not to use boiling water as this could damage your clothes, but hot water or hot vinegar should definitely do the job,

It’s important to note that when you find gum stuck down hard on your clothes you should never try to pull it off, this method should only be used for fabrics that can withstand vinegar. Natural fibres like cotton and linen are usually good for this. Also, make sure to check the colourfastness of the fabric before using vinegar as it can cause colours to run.

6. Use WD-40 to Erase Chewing Gum from Your Clothes

Now another great way to remove chewing gum is to use a WD-40 lubricant. A little bit of spray and some gentle rubbing will help loosen the gum, making it much easier to remove. Make sure you never spray directly onto the clothes themselves, but instead on a cloth, cotton swab or paper towel first.

After you’ve rubbed this in, gently peel off the gum and use a clean cloth to wipe away any residues of chewing gum from clothes.

7. Try Hair Spray to Dissolve Chewing Gum From Fabric

Our final simple and easy way to remove chewing gum from your clothes is to use hair spray. Hair sprays, such as hairspray liquids and aerosols, are useful for breaking down the gum’s stickiness and making it easier to remove. Simply spray the gum with the product, then wait a few minutes before using an ice cube or blunt object to scrape off the gum. Repeat as necessary until all of the gum is gone.

Remember, if you’re using hairspray, always work in a well-ventilated area and putting hair spray directly on your skin. Additionally, it’s not recommended to use hairspray on delicate fabrics such as silk.

Tips for Preventing Future Accidents Involving Chewing Gum on Clothes

So we’ve covered some great ways of removing gum from your clothes, but here’s a few tips you can use to try and stock any gum getting stuck on your clothes in the future:

– Use a zipper pocket to store any gum you’re carrying

– Check pockets for pieces of gum before throwing clothes in the wash

– Place a piece of tape over chewing gum when out and about

– Store chewing gum away from heat sources like radiators or kitchen appliances

– Always double check clothing for left behind pieces of bubblegum

– Be mindful when eating sticky foods like ice cream around your clothing items

– Clean any messes immediately with warm soapy water or vinegar

What To Do If You Can’t Get the Gum Out Completely

If you have a gum stain and can’t get the sticky mess out completely, it may be time to bring the clothing item in for dry cleaning. Professional dry cleaners are often able to use special methods and chemicals that remove gum remnants and restore fabric with ease.

Final Thoughts on Removing Chewing Gum from Clothes

Chewing gum can be a real nuisance when it gets stuck on your clothes. Trying to remove the sticky mess yourself can be time consuming and frustrating, with many methods failing to get rid of all the residue.

Fortunately, there are several easy ways you can try at home that will help dissolve chewing gum from fabric quickly and easily. From using ice cubes or hot vinegar to WD-40 lubricant or hair spray, these tips should make removing gum from clothing much simpler! If all else fails, don’t forget that professional dry cleaners may have special chemicals that could do the job for you. We hope you now feel confident knowing how to remove chewing gum from clothes now or in the future if it ever happens again.