My recent trip to the store nearly ended in disaster. I didn’t notice any discarded gum. Not until it was firmly stuck to my shirt sleeve. Trying to pick it off with my fingers hasn’t helped at all. Can I fix it? Is there a trick on how to get gum out of clothes?
There are several methods to remove gum from clothes. The key to successful removal is to harden the gum through freezing. Or soften it with dry heat. Then lift the gum with a butter knife or the back of a spoon. Items useful in removing gum include an iron, some ice cubes, peanut butter, and alcohol.
In this article, you will learn how to get gum out of clothes simply and easily. All with the help of some regular household items you already have in your home.
Quick Navigation
- Does Chewing Gum Ruin Clothes?
- Will Gum Come Out of Clothes in the Wash?
- How to Get Gum Out of Clothes: 12 Easy Ways
- How to Get Gum Out of Clothes After Washing
- How to Remove Chewing Gum From Clothing After Dryer
- How to Get Gum Off Pants and Jeans
- Getting Dried Gum Out of Clothes
- How to Get Gum Out of Bed Sheets
- How to Get Gum Off Fabric Couch
- Conclusion
Does Chewing Gum Ruin Clothes?
It’s not necessarily chewing gum that ruins clothes. Instead, it’s how the gum is removed from clothing that usually causes the damage, especially if you are dealing with a delicate fabric.
When you get chewing gum stuck on your clothes, it can be more than a little annoying. The more you pull at it, the longer it gets, and the more it gets caught on everything it comes into contact with. Not only does it grab onto fabric with a grip of steel, but it can also tie your fingers in knots. Leaving you in a gummed-up pickle.
It’s no wonder annoyance quickly descends into gum-rage. From roughly tearing the sticky offender away from your shirt to rubbing and scratching at the evil glob of gloop.
Anger-fueled tactics only make the chewing gum hold on tighter. Instead of removing the irritating sticky matter, you damage your garment.
Worse still, your vain attempt at evicting the gum from your clothes has spread it to other areas. Like your hands, your couch, or even the other clothes you’re wearing. Now, you’re even more annoyed and start to get even rougher with the gum and your clothes.
This is where the problems start. You see, any amount of rough handling can damage the fibers in the clothing. Particularly when you get moisture involved. Which you will do when your hands start to get sweaty.
As your sweaty palms get wetter, the gum sucks it up. Turning it into a wet, sticky mess. Leading you to tug harder. It’s a never-ending bitter cycle that ends in one result. You’ll end up with a stained shirt, or ripped fibers… or maybe even both.
Your best course of action when it comes to chewing gum is to relax. Gum isn’t going to harm your clothing as long as you act fast but without losing your temper.
Will Gum Come Out of Clothes in the Wash?
Gum isn’t going to come out of your clothes in the wash. There are a couple of reasons for this. Both of them involve water.
Washing your clothing is going to make gum even more of a problem. It will intensify the gum’s stickiness and combine it with a new sensation of slime. You’ll go from a stretchy goo to caked-on sludge.
Changing the water temperature isn’t going to help either. Cold water makes gum soak further into clothes. While hot water will melt gum into the washing machine drum. Creating an even bigger mess. Especially if your garment is in there with other clothing. Gum just loves to attach itself to the fabric.
Ideally, you want to remove as much gum as possible before washing your clothes. It’s not always easy to spot you’ve got chewing gum stuck to you, though.
If you’re like me, you’ll only notice the gum after the laundry has been done. Fear not, I’ll show you how to deal with washed gum later in this article.
How to Get Gum Out of Clothes: 12 Easy Ways
Dealing with chewing gum is best done while your clothing is dry. Or rather, not in contact with water. You’ll also find gum removal will be more successful the faster you react. Take action to remove it as soon as you realize you’ve got some stuck to your skirt, shirt, or jeans.
In this section, we’ll take a look at some tried and tested methods for getting gum out of clothes. Each one uses an everyday household item that can be found in homes across the globe. If you don’t have all of them, you’re bound to have one or two.
1. Alcohol
Rubbing alcohol is one of the ingredients used in many commercially available stain removers. It’s great for getting rid of icky spots and marks.
You will need:
- Rubbing alcohol
- Clean rag or sponge
- Wooden spoon
Step 1
Gently dab the rubbing alcohol onto the gum with the sponge or rag. Leave it to seep into the gummed area for 2-5 minutes. You can leave it longer if your gummy patch is particularly large.
Step 2
Using the wooden spoon, start to lift the gum away from the fabric. Work softly and without rubbing. If you don’t have a wooden spoon, you can use a wooden or plastic spatula. Anything flat and blunt will do the trick.
Step 3
Once you have removed as much of the sticky mess as possible, wash your garment. Use your usual detergent and machine setting.
Step 4
Once the cycle has completed, check your clothing for signs of remaining gum residue. If you are happy it has gone, let your garment air dry. For items still showing signs of gum stains, repeat steps 1-4.
2. Freezing
There are two ways to freeze chewing gum. You can either use ice cubes for a spot treatment, or you can put the whole garment into the freezer. This method works by hardening the gum, making it easier to remove.
You will need:
- Ice cubes or a freezer
- Sealable Plastic bag
- Butter knife
- Stain remover
Method 1 – Ice Cubes
Step 1
Lay your garment on a flat surface with the gummed area facing upwards. Put some ice cubes in a plastic bag and place them on top of the gum. The bag will keep the melted ice away from the chewing gum.
Step 2
Leave the gum to harden. It should take about 15-30 minutes. Remove the bag of ice cubes to see how the gum is doing. If it hasn’t hardened, leave it a bit longer. For solid gum, gently slide the end of your butter knife under the blob. With care, start to lever the gum away from the garment.
Step 3
When the frozen gum has been removed, you can wash your clothing. Use your usual detergent and machine settings. Once the cycle has finished, check your garment. If all signs of gum have been removed, allow to air dry. Should some residue remain, treat with a stain remover and repeat the wash cycle.
Method 2 – Freezer
Step 1
Put your garment into a sealable plastic bag with the gummed area on the top and facing outwards. Make sure there is a gap between the gum and the bag. The last thing you want is for the bag to stick to it.
Step 2
Leave the bag in the freezer for a minimum of 2 hours. Keep checking to see how well it is freezing. It may need longer depending on the thickness of the gum.
Step 3
When the gum is frozen, take the bag out of the freezer. Next, take your garment out of the bag. With your butter knife, lift the gum away from the fabric.
Step 4
Gently scrape any stubborn pieces of gum from the fabric. Once all the gum has been removed, wash your garment as you normally. Check for any residual staining before allowing your clothing to dry. If there are still traces of gum, treat with a stain remover and rewash the item. When you are happy it’s all gone, leave the garment to air dry.
3. Dry Heat
For this method, you can use an iron or your hairdryer. You’ll want to make sure your garment can take a heat treatment before attempting either of these.
You will need:
- Iron or hairdryer
- Cardboard
- Butter knife
- Flat Surface
- Stain Remover
- Tea towel
Method 1 – Hairdryer
Step 1
Put your garment on a flat surface with the gummed area facing upwards. Turn your hairdryer on and use the highest heat setting.
Step 2
Aim the hairdryer nozzle at the gum. Make sure you hold the hairdryer at least 6 inches above the gum as you don’t want to burn your clothing.
Step 3
As the gum heats up it should start to melt. Gently lift it with your butter knife. You can also use an old credit card or cardboard for this. Peel the gum from the clothing as you heat it.
Step 4
Once the gum has been removed, apply a stain remover to the area and wash your clothing as normal. When the wash cycle has ended, check for signs of any gum residue. If you are happy it’s all gone, let your clothing air dry. Should any marks remain, repeat this step.
Method 2 – Iron
Step 1
Put a piece of cardboard on a flat surface. The cardboard needs to be bigger than the wad of gum stuck to your clothes. It doesn’t have to be as big as the garment, though. Next, put your clothing on the cardboard, gum side down. Make sure the cardboard is positioned directly underneath the gum.
Step 2
Set your iron to medium heat and give it a couple of minutes to heat up. Meanwhile, take a tea towel and place it on top of your garment. This is to stop the iron from burning your clothing. When the iron is hot enough, press it onto the gummed area. Don’t wiggle the iron. You want to press downwards in one continuous push. So keep the iron still.
Step 3
After 10 seconds, lift the iron and check how the gum is doing. You should see it start to transfer to the cardboard. Move the tea towel to a cool section and replace your iron. Press down once more. After 10 seconds, take another look.
Be mindful of your garment. Too much heat can damage some fabrics. If you start to see any kind of imprint from the iron on your clothes, stop the treatment.
Step 4
Once you are happy, the gum has been removed, turn off your iron. Throw the cardboard and gum in the trash. Then apply stain remover to the clothing and wash as normal.
Step 5
Check for any visible signs of gum when the wash cycle is complete. If you can still see some, apply more stain remover and rewash the garment. When it’s all gone, leave your clothing to air dry.
4. Steam
This is another method that requires your garment to be heat tolerant. Although steam is less direct than iron or hairdryer, it can still get pretty hot. Steam can also cause water damage, so make sure your garment is washable before using this option.
You will need:
- A hand-held clothes steamer or kettle
- Butter knife
- Stain remover
Step 1
Turn on your steamer and allow it to reach temperature. Direct the steam towards the gummed area. If you are using a kettle, wait until the kettle boils and hold the gum over the spout as the steam comes out.
Step 2
Keep steaming the gum until it starts to soften. Gently lift the gum with your butter knife and scrape it off the fabric. If it doesn’t come off easily, keep steaming it. Watch your clothing, though. Some materials can be damaged by steam due to heat and moisture.
Step 3
Once all the gum has been removed, apply stain remover to the area. Then wash your garment as you would normally. Check for any leftover stains before allowing your clothing to air dry. If there are any, simply repeat this step.
5. Vinegar
Distilled white vinegar is a handy cleaning solution known for its stain-removing abilities. It’s also totally natural, so it’s less caustic than many chemical cleaners. However, you will need to make sure your garment can withstand being rubbed.
You will need:
- Distilled white vinegar
- Breakfast bowl
- Microwave
- Toothbrush
Step 1
Fill a breakfast bowl with 1/4 cup of vinegar. Put it in the microwave and heat it for one minute. Remove the bowl carefully as the vinegar will be hot.
Step 2
Place your bowl on a flat surface and dunk the gummed area of your garment into the hot vinegar. Make sure the gum hits the vinegar first and is completely submerged. Using your toothbrush, carefully rub the gum using small back-and-forth movements.
Step 3
When all the gum has been removed, take your garment out of the vinegar. Tip the vinegar-gum mix down the drain.
Step 4
Wash your garment as you would normally. Check it for residual marks when the wash cycle has finished. If they are all gone, let your garment air dry. Should any visual signs of gum remain, apply a little dab of fresh vinegar to the spot and rewash the clothing.
6. Adhesive Removers
These are commercial products designed for removing adhesives and other sticky gloops. There are a few available on the market. The most popular products are Goo Gone and WD40.
Whichever one you use, make sure to follow the directions on the packaging. You’ll also need to do a spot-test on your garment to make sure the product you choose won’t damage it.
You will need:
- Commercial cleaners such as Goo Gone or WD40
- Butter knife
- Stain Remover
Step 1
Carefully pull off as much loose gum as you can. Then apply the adhesive remover to the remaining gum on your garment. For best results, always refer to the packaging and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. They will advise on the length of time you should leave the product on the gum. This can be anywhere from 2-10 minutes for Goo Gone or WD40. It does depend on the adhesive remover.
Step 2
Lift the treated gum with the edge of your butter knife. An old credit card will also work for this. Rinse the area with clean water and wash the garment as you would normally. Repeat the wash cycle if signs of gum remain. Add a little stain remover for any residual stubborn marks. Once all visible traces are gone, let your garment air dry.
7. Detergent
For this option, you’ll need a liquid laundry detergent. You’re going to be using it straight from the bottle, so if you have sensitive skin, make sure to wear rubber gloves.
You will need:
- Liquid laundry detergent
- Rubber gloves
- Toothbrush
- Butter knife
Step 1
Put on your rubber gloves to protect your hands. Lay your garment on a flat surface, so the gum is on top. Add a little liquid laundry detergent to the gum. Using the toothbrush, work the detergent into the gum. Use small movements and rub gently.
Step 2
With a blunt knife or old credit card, carefully scrape and lift the gum away from the fabric. For particularly stubborn gum, add some more detergent.
Step 3
Rinse away the gum and liquid detergent. Then wash your garment as you would normally. Check for any remaining residue and be prepared to repeat the wash cycle if needed. Once you’re happy the gum has gone, leave the garment to air dry.
8. Peanut Butter
This has got to be one of the weirdest methods on this list but it’s strangely effective! The one thing you need to be aware of, though, is that peanut butter can stain fabric. If you choose this option, make sure you have a stain remover handy.
You will need:
- Creamy peanut butter (not crunchy!)
- Butter knife
- Stain Remover
Step 1
Lay your clothing on a flat surface, gummed side up. Grab your butter knife and spread a dollop of peanut butter all over the gum. Make sure to completely cover the gum for the best results. You want to use creamy peanut butter for this as the crunchy variety will be too lumpy. Bits of peanut sticking to the gum will make your life harder.
Step 2
Leave the peanut butter to sit on the gum for between 5-10 minutes. The gum should soften and release its hold on the fabric of your garment. Using your butter knife, prise the peanut butter-gum mix from the material. Work gently to prevent any damage to the fabric.
Step 3
When you’ve scraped off as much as you can, add stain remover to the area. Then wash as normal. Check for remaining stains when the wash cycle has ended. Should there be any left, repeat the stain remover treatment and rewash the garment. When you are happy with the result, let your clothing air dry.
9. Canned Air
Canned air might not be the first item you think of when removing gum from clothes. But, it can be incredibly useful. It works in a similar way to freezing the gum. If you have some handy, it might be worth a try.
You will need:
- Canned air
- Butter knife
Step 1
Put your clothing on a flat surface with the gum facing upwards. Spray the canned air directly onto the wad of gum. Leave it until the gum hardens. This may take a few minutes.
Step 2
With the edge of your butter knife, lift the gum away from the garment. Be gentle, so you don’t accidentally tear the fabric. It should come away easily. If it doesn’t, use some more canned air and leave it longer.
Step 3
When the loose gum has been removed, wash your garment using your usual wash cycle and detergent. There shouldn’t be much of a stain left behind. If there is, apply some stain remover and rewash the clothing. Then leave your clothing to dry naturally.
10. Hairspray
A product many of us have in our bathrooms is hairspray. Who would have thought you could use it for getting gum out of clothes? Well, you can! Just like canned air, it’s very effective.
You will need:
- Can of hairspray
- Butter knife
- Stain remover
Step 1
Place your garment on a flat surface with the gummed area facing upwards. Spray the hairspray onto the gum. It should start to harden as soon as you apply the hairspray. If it doesn’t, spray it again.
Step 2
Once the gum has solidified, start to scrape it away with your butter knife. If you don’t have a butter knife, you can use any blunt, flat instrument. An old credit card or hard piece of cardboard will work just as well.
Step 3
Some hairsprays can be greasy, so apply stain remover to the area where the gum was. Then launder your garment as you would normally. Check for residual staining before leaving your clothes to air dry. If stubborn marks remain, repeat the stain remover treatment and rewash the item.
11. Boiling Water
Although this method involves getting the garment wet, it works differently from machine or hand washing. You’re not submerging the entire garment in hot water, nor are you revolving it in an enclosed drum.
However, this option is not for the faint-hearted or delicate fabrics. Only durable items that can take high heat for a prolonged time should be subjected to this one.
You will need:
- Large pot
- Rubber gloves
- Water
- Butter knife
- Toothbrush
Step 1
Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Put on your rubber gloves and pick up your garment. Find the gummed area and submerge it in the boiling water. Only the gummed area. Don’t be tempted to put the whole garment in there. Keep the heat on so the water stays at a rolling boil.
Step 2
Keeping the chewing gum under the water with one hand, use your other hand to prise the sticky mass off with your butter knife. When as much of the blob has been scraped off as possible, switch to your toothbrush.
Step 3
Using the toothbrush, gently rub the remaining gum residue until it comes off. Again, be soft and gentle, so you don’t damage the fibers in the fabric.
Step 4
As soon as you’ve removed as much gum as possible, turn off the heat and take your garment out of the pot. Wash the item as you would normally and allow it to dry naturally. You should find any trace of gum has been removed. If you can still see a faint trace, wash the item again, only this time, add a little stain remover.
12. Duct Tape
Duct tape, sometimes known as duck tape, is one of those household products that can fix many problems. Removing gum from clothes is just one of them. If you don’t have duct tape, you could use packing tape. Any tape with an adhesive on one side will work. You’ll find duct tape is best because it tends to be the stickiest.
You will need:
- Duct tape
- Stain remover
Step 1
Cut a piece of duct tape to cover the gum completely. Press it onto the gum’s surface. Try not to catch any fabric with the duct tape, so you don’t pull the fibers.
Step 2
Peel off the duct tape and watch as the gum comes with it. Keep using a fresh piece of duct tape until all the gum has been lifted off the clothing.
Step 3
Wash the garment as normal. Adding some stain remover to the area will help eliminate the chance of residual staining from the duct tape. You should air dry your garment once the wash cycle has finished.
How to Get Gum Out of Clothes After Washing
Even if you check your clothing before putting it in the washing machine, there are times gum can be evasive. It can lurk in a hidden area, so you don’t see it until after drying the garment.
Unfortunately, a wash cycle can make gum seep deeper into the fibers of the material. Making it entwine itself around the yarns and become a part of the fabric.
Although it can be annoying to spot chewing gum embedded into your favorite shirt, it’s not impossible to remove it. It’s going to be a little harder, but it can be done.
There are two methods that will work the best. Either the freezer method or the iron. Both involve extremes of temperature and will help loosen the gum’s hold on the material. Simply follow our step-by-step instructions for using the freezer or iron in the section above.
How to Remove Chewing Gum From Clothing After Dryer
Dryers can be a menace when it comes to chewing gum. They can be a disaster for any stains. The heat from a dryer is notorious for setting stains on clothing. That’s why all our remedies for removing gum ask you to air dry your clothing after treatment.
All is not lost, though. You just need to combine two methods from our step-by-step list above. The freezer and an adhesive remover.
Firstly, put the whole garment into a plastic bag and freeze it for a couple of hours. Make sure you keep the gummed area on the top, so it’s facing you as you drop it in the freezer. Once it’s frozen, apply a commercial product to the gum. Use something like Goo Gone or even WD40.
Because the gum has been dried-on, you’ll need to leave the adhesive remover for a little longer than you would for fresh gum. Aim for around 15-20 minutes but check regularly. You don’t want to damage the fabric.
Once the product has done its bit, you should be able to wipe away the gum and wash as normal. Use a bit of stain remover as an added boost. Remember to air dry the garment after the wash cycle to prevent further stains from setting into the fabric.
How to Get Gum Off Pants and Jeans
Getting gum off pants and jeans is simply a case of choosing the right removal method for the fabric. Jeans are easy as they are usually made from hardwearing denim. This makes them durable enough to withstand any of the methods listed in our step-by-step guide.
However, for jeans with high synthetic content or pants made from materials that are heat intolerant, you’ll need to be careful when picking a gum removal method. When in doubt, the best option is to go down the freezer route.
Freezing your pants or jeans is relatively harmless to the fabric. As long as they are fully contained inside a plastic bag, any moisture from freezer melt is unlikely to contact the material. Making the freezer the safest solution for dress pants, work pants, and your favorite jeans.
Getting Dried Gum Out of Clothes
Getting dried gum out of clothes can be an exercise in patience. It’s more difficult to remove gum after it’s dried and adhered to the fibers in the fabric. Any remedy you use on dry gum will take longer than a fresh glob of gum would. The first thing you want to do is make the gum harden and crack.
Once again, it’s the humble freezer that comes to the rescue. Pop your garment into a plastic bag and drop it in the freezer for a couple of hours. Overnight is even better!
Once frozen, the gum should be easier to remove. Spray some WD40 on the gum and you should be able to lift it right off. All you need to do then is, add a little stain remover and wash the garment as normal.
You will need to air dry it though. Putting it in the dryer after treating for sticky gum is likely to set any residual gum into the material as a stain.
How to Get Gum Out of Bed Sheets
One of the great things about bed sheets is they tend to be durable and washable. If you’ve managed to get gum on them, removing it will be a piece of cake.
There are a couple of options you can use. You can use vinegar or WD40 as a pre-treatment and then wash your sheets as normal.
Or you can use the ever-faithful freezer method. Follow our step-by-step guide for freezing gum for the best results.
Whatever method you choose, remember to let your bed sheets air dry after treatment. This will ensure stains aren’t encouraged to hang around by a hot dryer.
How to Get Gum Off Fabric Couch
Gum has an amazing ability to spread everywhere. You can almost guarantee if it’s on your clothing, it’ll find its way to your couch.
Unfortunately, it’s not easy to get a couch into a freezer to treat the pesky sticky substance. But that doesn’t mean you can’t bring the freezer to your living room.
Simply put some ice in a ziplock bag and position it on top of the gum. Although you will have melting ice on your couch covers, the bag will contain the moisture. This way, you should be able to use this method on any couch material without the risk of water damage. Better still, as the gum will remain dry, it can’t seep further into the fibers of the fabric.
Leave the ice for around 20 minutes so it can harden the gum. Then simply scrape it off the covers with a blunt instrument. Try a credit card or a butter knife. Using a paper towel, collect up the gum debris and throw it in the trash.
The next step is to clean your couch to prevent any residual gum from causing any stains on the material. The cleaning method you use will depend on your couch and the fibers in the covers. Sometimes a good vacuuming will do the trick.
If your couch is leather, you might want to use the duct tape method instead of ice cubes. It’s a good idea to use a leather conditioner to help counter any damage from the tape.
Conclusion
Getting gum out of clothes may seem like an impossible task at first. But it’s pretty easy. All you need are some handy household products and a bit of patience.
Have you had to remove gum from your clothes? What method did you use? How did you get on? Let me know in the comments.