Removing Chewing Gum From Clothes: A Definitive Guide

We often deal with many tough stains daily, but one of them stands out the most – chewing gum. A speck of gum may rub off on your new skirt while you are sitting in the park, or you may accidentally get your own chewing gum stuck on your clothes, and you are left thinking, ‘Is my favorite dress ruined?’ 

Removing chewing gum from clothes can be a pesky task, but with the right approach and a bit of patience, you can effectively get rid of it without causing damage to your garments. Here's a definitive guide on how to remove chewing gum from clothes:

1. Freezing Method

• For this method, you will need Ice cubes or a freezer pack and a plastic bag or ziplock bag.
• Place the clothing with the gum stain in a plastic bag or Ziplock bag.
• Add some ice cubes or a freezer pack to the bag and seal it tightly.
• Leave the bag in the freezer for a few hours or until the gum becomes hard and brittle.
• Once the gum is frozen, take the clothing out and carefully scrape off the gum with a dull knife or the edge of a credit card. Be gentle to avoid damaging the fabric.
• If any gum residue remains, repeat the freezing process or proceed to the following method.

2. Heat Method

• For this strategy, get your hands on an iron and brown paper or a clean cloth.
• Set the iron to a low heat setting (without steam) to avoid damaging the fabric.
• Place the garment on an ironing board or a flat, heat-resistant surface.
• Put a piece of brown paper or a clean cloth over the gum stain.
• Gently iron over the paper or cloth-covered area. The gum will stick to the paper or cloth due to the heat transfer.
• Check the gum stain after a few seconds of ironing. If there is still some gum residue left, move the garment to a clean area of the paper or cloth, so you're not spreading the gum around.
• Continue ironing with a fresh section of the paper or cloth until all the gum is removed.

3. Solvent Method

• This cleaning method requires WD-40 or a citrus-based solvent (like Goo Gone), some cotton balls or clean cloth, mild dish soap, and water.
• Test the solvent on a small, inconspicuous area of the garment to ensure it doesn't damage the fabric.
• Apply the solvent directly to the gum stain using a cotton ball or a clean cloth. Let it sit for a few minutes to break down the gum.
• Gently rub the gum with a clean cloth or paper towel to lift it off the fabric.
• Once the gum is removed, wash the garment with mild dish soap and water to eliminate any residue from the solvent.

4. Vinegar Method

• One of the easiest ways to remove chewing gum from your clothes is to use white vinegar. For this method, you will require white vinegar and a toothbrush or soft brush. 
• Soak the gum-stained area in white vinegar for about 15-20 minutes.
• After soaking, gently scrub the gum with a toothbrush or soft brush to loosen it from the fabric fibers.
• Rinse the garment with cold water.
• If needed, repeat the process until all the gum is gone.

Let Professionals Handle Those Tough Stains

Tough stains are a part of our lives, and we must not let them stress us out. There is a trick to dealing with every stain but as individuals with hectic work schedules and routines, we may not always be prepared to deal with them. This is why Signature Maids offers premium cleaning services to customers who need assistance with their cleaning chores. Whether you require office cleaning, apartment cleaning, emergency cleaning, deep cleaning, or pressure cleaning, we can help. Call us today to book an appointment! 

‍