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Disaster! You've got chewing gum stuck all over your favourite shirt or pair of jeans.
Getting gum stuck on your clothes is less than ideal, but don't panic. With some household items and a little elbow grease, you can get that stubborn gum out without causing any damage to your clothes.
In this Hoover blog, we'll talk you through how to remove chewing gum from your clothes and leave them looking as good as new.
How to take off chewing gum from clothes
If you discover gum on your clothes, the first step is to act quickly before the gum really sets into the fabric fibres. When you notice the gum, use a blunt knife or spoon to scrape off as much of the gummy substance as possible. Try to avoid pushing it further into the fabric.
Once you've removed the surface gum, it's time to treat the stain with one of these handy methods:
How to get smeared gum out of clothes with vinegar
Vinegar is a fantastic cleaning agent that can help dissolve and lift gum from fabric. Here's how to use it:
Materials needed:
- White vinegar
- An old toothbrush
- Cold water
Instructions for removing gum with vinegar:
- Soak the gum stain with undiluted white vinegar and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Use the toothbrush to gently scrub the vinegar into the gum.
- Rinse with cold water and repeat if needed until the gum is gone.
- Wash clothing as usual.
The acetic acid in vinegar helps to break down the sticky sugars in the chewing gum.
How to remove chewing gum from clothes with toothpaste
You might be surprised to learn that basic white toothpaste can be very effective at removing chewing gum from fabric. The abrasives in toothpaste help lift and dislodge gum.
Materials needed:
- White toothpaste (not gel)
- An old toothbrush
- Cold water
Instructions for removing gum with toothpaste:
- Apply a thick layer of toothpaste directly onto the gum stain.
- Let it sit for 10-15 minutes.
- Use the toothbrush to scrub the toothpaste into the gum stain.
- Rinse thoroughly with cold water until all toothpaste is removed.
- Wash your clothing as usual.
How do I remove more stubborn gum from fabric?
If vinegar and toothpaste don't do the trick, there are a couple of other gum-busting methods you can try:
- Freezing
Put an ice cube or frozen pack directly on the gum for 30-60 seconds until hardened. Then, use a blunt knife or spoon to crack off the frozen gum pieces. The cold makes the gum more brittle and easier to remove.
- WD-40
This lubricant spray can help dislodge stuck-on gum. Spray it onto the gum, let it soak for a few minutes, then scrape off the gum with a blunt tool. Be sure to launder clothing afterwards to remove any residue.
How to get bubble gum out of clothes
The same methods for removing regular chewing gum will work just as well on bubble gum stains, too. The sticky sugary makeup is very similar.
How to remove chewing gum from shoes
Chewing gum can be even trickier to remove from shoes than clothing since you can't just toss them in the wash. Try freezing the gum first with an ice cube, then chip it off carefully with a blunt knife or key. You can also try using a gum remover product made specifically for shoes.
How to get chewing gum off jeans
Denim can be a magnet for gum stains, but you can get chewing gum off jeans successfully with the methods we've discussed above. The toothpaste trick works exceptionally well since you can really scrub it into the sturdy denim fabric. Just be sure to thoroughly rinse the jeans afterwards so no white toothpaste residue is left behind.
With a little patience and some common household supplies on hand, you can conquer even the stickiest chewing gum mishaps on your clothes.
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