How to Get Gum Out Of Clothes

gum on jeans — Getting gum stuck on you favorite pair of jeans pretty much sucks. But no worries. You can get it out. Kampan/Shutterstock

Your child somehow got gum on his clothing, and you're wondering how to get it out. All you need to get gum out of clothing is a bit of ice. But don't wait too long because it's much harder to remove gum once it dries.

Contents

Method 1
Method 2
Method 3

Method 1

This method is most suitable for thick or bulky clothing.

What You Need:

Ice cubes
A freezer bag
A blunt-edged knife

Here's What To Do:

Put some ice cubes in the freezer bag.
Place the bag on the gum until the gum hardens. Alternatively, rub an ice cube on the gum until it hardens.
Scrape the gum off with the knife.

Method 2

This method is suitable for delicate clothing.

What You Need:

An ice cube (or a freezer)
A plastic bag
A toothbrush

Here's What To Do:

Pull off as much as gum as you can with your fingers.
Wrap the garment in the plastic bag. Put it in the freezer until the gum hardens. Alternatively, rub an ice cube on the gum until it hardens.
Pull off as much gum as you can, be careful not to damage the material.
Scrub the area gently with the toothbrush to remove any remaining gum.

Method 3

What You Need:

Two ice cubes
Laundry detergent or an enzyme detergent
A flat-edged knife

Here's What To Do:

Center one cube underneath the garment, directly below the gum. There should be as little material as possible between the ice and the gum.
Balance the second ice cube carefully on the gum, directly over the first ice cube.
Wait about 30 minutes or until the gum is very cold.
Remove the ice cubes.
Place the garment on a flat surface. Scrape off the frozen gum with the non-serrated edge of the knife. Pre-treat the area where the gum was with the soap or detergent. Wash the garment normally.

Originally Published: Apr 8, 2011

Remove Gum FAQ

How do you get gum off of fabric?

You can get gum off your fabric by rubbing it with dish soap using a toothbrush. Rubbing furiously breaks the gum's fibers and lets you scrape it off easily.

What can dissolve chewing gum?

Vinegar can be used to dissolve any chewing gum, making it easier to remove from any surface.

How does toothpaste remove chewing gum from clothes?

Put a little bit of toothpaste on the area with the gum. Dab the surface with a ruler so that the gum wad is evenly covered. Let it sit for a few minutes until the toothpaste is air-dried. Once it's done, the gum wad should be hard enough to come off.

How do you remove chewing gum from a carpet?

Put ice in a zip-lock bag and leave it on the gum wad for 15 to 20 minutes. The ice hardens the gum, making it easier to scrape off. Tend to your carpet as soon as you can to avoid staining.

Does ice get gum out of hair?

As soon as gum gets stuck in your hair, dab an ice pack on it for 10 to 15 minutes to freeze it. This should reduce its stickiness, making it easier for you to take it off.