7 Quick Tips On How To Remove Chewing Gum From Clothes

Got chewing gum stuck to your clothes? Don’t fret – there are a few simple ways to remove it without damaging your fabric. In this article, we’ll go over some of the most cost-effective, at-home methods for removing chewing gum from clothes. Read on for more!

The Best Ways to Remove Chewing Gum From Clothes

As with most things, opting for a natural approach is best when faced with chewing gum labeled clothes. There are a few different ways to do this, each of which are worth giving a shot before turning to chewing gum removers and other chemical solutions:

Freezing

One of the most effective and straightforward ways to get chewing gum out of fabric is through freezing.

How to do it:

Try applying ice to one – or both sides – of your garment to get it to freeze into a solid state.
Alternatively, pacing the item in the freezer can also work, but be sure to wrap it in a plastic bag first to avoid any messes.
Once the gum is frozen, you can begin to scrape it off with a blunt object, such as a butter knife.
Work slowly and carefully so as not to damage the fabric underneath.

Heating

Freezing not getting anything off? Do a complete 180° and opt to heat the gum instead. Rather than hardening it, this approach should loosen its grip on your clothes and make it easier to pull off.

How to do it:

Use a hairdryer set to high heat
Hold it about six inches away from the gummed-up area and blast away until the gum becomes soft enough to remove.
Carefully pull or scrape it away

Wear gloves to protect your hands, as gum can become very hot

Ironing

While ironing could technically be considered a form of heating, we’re giving it its own category because the results can vary so much. We recommend only trying this method on tougher, more durable fabrics like denim or canvas as there’s a risk you could damage more delicate items.

How to do it:

Place a piece of clean cardboard on a flat surface or ironing board.
Place the gum-covered garment gum-side-down on top and set your iron to medium heat. *This is an important thing to remember – too hot and you risk melting the gum into an even bigger mess, but too low and it won’t be hot enough to loosen its grip on your clothes.
Once the iron is heated, place it on top of the cardboard for 30 seconds to a minute. You should see the gum begin to transfer to the cardboard – if not, try increasing the heat a bit or giving it more time.
Carefully peel away the fabric and see if the gum came off with it. If not, you can repeat the process as necessary until it’s completely gone.

Removing Chewing Gum With Household Products

When all else fails, there are a few common household items that can also do the trick when it comes to getting chewing gum out of clothes.

WD-40

If you don’t mind using a chemical solution, WD-40 can be an effective way to remove chewing gum from clothes. Simply spray it on the affected area and let it sit for a few minutes before rubbing the gum off with a paper towel or piece of cloth. You may need to reapply a few times to get everything off, but it should eventually come up with little trouble.

Nail Polish Remover

Nail polish remover can also be used to remove chewing gum, though you should take care not to damage your clothes in the process. Apply a small amount of remover to a cotton ball and dab it on the gum until it’s saturated. You should then be able to rub the gum off easily. As with WD-40, you may need to reapply a few times to get everything.

Vinegar

Vinegar is another household product that can be used to remove chewing gum. Simply soak a cloth in vinegar and rub it on the gum until it starts to come off. You may need to let it sit for a few minutes to really penetrate the gum, but it should eventually loosen its grip and come away easily.

Use Specialised Chewing Gum Removers

At UK Cleaning Supplies, we offer a specialist chewing gum remover designed to quickly and effectively lift gum from clothes, making the removal process easier than using standard cleaning products.

In addition, we supply floor scrapers that are ideal for removing chewing gum from hard surfaces like pavements and floors.