Nothing is more frustrating than finding a piece of gum stuck to your favorite pair of jeans or a brand-new dress. Gum can be a stubborn substance to remove, but with the right techniques, you can get it out of your clothes without damaging the fabric. Whether the gum is fresh or old, there are several methods you can try to remove it effectively.
Before you start, it's important to note that the type of fabric and the age of the gum can affect the best method for removal. Always test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before applying any cleaning solution to ensure that it doesn't damage the material.
Now that you understand the basics, let's dive into the different methods for removing gum from clothes, starting with the most gentle techniques:
How to get gum out of clothes
Follow these simple steps to remove gum from clothes effectively:
- Freeze the gum.
- Scrape off the gum.
- Apply ice cube.
- Use peanut butter.
- Apply WD-40.
- Use rubbing alcohol.
- Try hairspray.
- Wash the garment.
Remember to test a small area of the fabric before using any cleaning solution to ensure that it doesn't damage the material.
Freeze the gum.
If the gum is fresh, freezing it can make it easier to remove. Place the garment in a plastic bag and put it in the freezer for at least an hour. The cold will harden the gum, making it more brittle and easier to scrape off.
Once the gum is frozen, take the garment out of the freezer and place it on a flat surface. Use a butter knife or a spoon to scrape off the gum. Be careful not to damage the fabric.
If there is still some gum residue left, you can try rubbing an ice cube over it. The cold will help to further harden the gum and make it easier to remove.
Once you have removed as much of the gum as possible, wash the garment according to the care instructions on the label.
Freezing the gum is a gentle method that is suitable for most types of fabrics. However, it is important to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before freezing the entire garment, just to make sure that the fabric can withstand the cold temperatures.
Scrape off the gum.
Once the gum has been frozen and hardened, you can scrape it off the fabric using a butter knife or a spoon. Be careful not to damage the fabric. If the gum is still soft, you can try using a plastic card or a fingernail to scrape it off.
If the gum is stuck to a delicate fabric, you can try using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrape it off. Be sure to use a light touch and avoid scrubbing the fabric too hard.
If you are having difficulty scraping off the gum, you can try applying a small amount of ice to the gum. The cold will help to further harden the gum and make it easier to remove.
Once you have scraped off as much of the gum as possible, you can try removing any remaining residue with a stain remover. Be sure to test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using it on the entire garment.
Scraping off the gum is a relatively simple method, but it is important to be careful not to damage the fabric. If you are unsure about how to scrape off the gum without damaging the fabric, you can always take the garment to a professional cleaner.
Apply ice cube.
If the gum is fresh and still soft, you can try using an ice cube to harden it and make it easier to remove.
- Wrap an ice cube in a cloth or plastic bag.
This will prevent the ice cube from sticking to the gum and making it more difficult to remove.
- Apply the ice cube to the gum.
Hold the ice cube against the gum for a few minutes, or until the gum has hardened.
- Scrape off the gum.
Once the gum has hardened, you can scrape it off the fabric using a butter knife or a spoon. Be careful not to damage the fabric.
- Wash the garment.
Once you have removed as much of the gum as possible, wash the garment according to the care instructions on the label.
Applying an ice cube is a gentle method that is suitable for most types of fabrics. However, it is important to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before applying the ice cube, just to make sure that the fabric can withstand the cold temperatures.
Use peanut butter.
Peanut butter is a surprisingly effective way to remove gum from clothes. The oils in the peanut butter help to break down the gum and make it easier to remove.
- Apply a small amount of peanut butter to the gum.
Use your finger or a spoon to apply a thin layer of peanut butter to the gum.
- Let the peanut butter sit for a few minutes.
Allow the peanut butter to sit on the gum for at least 15 minutes. This will give the peanut butter time to break down the gum.
- Scrape off the gum.
Once the peanut butter has had time to sit, you can scrape off the gum using a butter knife or a spoon. Be careful not to damage the fabric.
- Wash the garment.
Once you have removed as much of the gum as possible, wash the garment according to the care instructions on the label.
Using peanut butter is a safe and effective way to remove gum from most types of fabrics. However, it is important to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using peanut butter, just to make sure that the fabric does not stain.
Apply WD-40.
WD-40 is a water-displacing spray that can also be used to remove gum from clothes. The solvents in WD-40 help to break down the gum and make it easier to remove.
To use WD-40 to remove gum from clothes, follow these steps:
- Spray WD-40 onto the gum.
Hold the can of WD-40 about 6 inches away from the gum and spray it directly onto the gum.
- Let the WD-40 sit for a few minutes.
Allow the WD-40 to sit on the gum for at least 15 minutes. This will give the WD-40 time to break down the gum.
- Scrape off the gum.
Once the WD-40 has had time to sit, you can scrape off the gum using a butter knife or a spoon. Be careful not to damage the fabric.
- Wash the garment.
Once you have removed as much of the gum as possible, wash the garment according to the care instructions on the label.
WD-40 is a safe and effective way to remove gum from most types of fabrics. However, it is important to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using WD-40, just to make sure that the fabric does not stain.
Caution: WD-40 is a flammable liquid. Be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area and keep it away from heat and open flames.
Use rubbing alcohol.
Rubbing alcohol is another effective way to remove gum from clothes. The alcohol in the rubbing alcohol helps to dissolve the gum and make it easier to remove.
To use rubbing alcohol to remove gum from clothes, follow these steps:
- Apply rubbing alcohol to the gum.
Dampen a cotton ball or a clean cloth with rubbing alcohol and apply it to the gum. Be sure to soak the gum thoroughly.
- Let the rubbing alcohol sit for a few minutes.
Allow the rubbing alcohol to sit on the gum for at least 15 minutes. This will give the rubbing alcohol time to dissolve the gum.
- Scrape off the gum.
Once the rubbing alcohol has had time to sit, you can scrape off the gum using a butter knife or a spoon. Be careful not to damage the fabric.
- Wash the garment.
Once you have removed as much of the gum as possible, wash the garment according to the care instructions on the label.
Rubbing alcohol is a safe and effective way to remove gum from most types of fabrics. However, it is important to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using rubbing alcohol, just to make sure that the fabric does not stain.
Caution: Rubbing alcohol is flammable. Be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area and keep it away from heat and open flames.
Try hairspray.
Hairspray is another surprising but effective way to remove gum from clothes. The alcohol and other solvents in hairspray help to break down the gum and make it easier to remove.
To use hairspray to remove gum from clothes, follow these steps:
- Spray hairspray onto the gum.
Hold the can of hairspray about 6 inches away from the gum and spray it directly onto the gum. Be sure to soak the gum thoroughly.
- Let the hairspray sit for a few minutes.
Allow the hairspray to sit on the gum for at least 15 minutes. This will give the hairspray time to break down the gum.
- Scrape off the gum.
Once the hairspray has had time to sit, you can scrape off the gum using a butter knife or a spoon. Be careful not to damage the fabric.
- Wash the garment.
Once you have removed as much of the gum as possible, wash the garment according to the care instructions on the label.
Hairspray is a safe and effective way to remove gum from most types of fabrics. However, it is important to test a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using hairspray, just to make sure that the fabric does not stain.
Tip: If you don't have any hairspray on hand, you can also try using a can of deodorant. Deodorant contains similar ingredients to hairspray and can be used in the same way to remove gum from clothes.
Wash the garment.
Once you have removed as much of the gum as possible, it is important to wash the garment to remove any remaining residue and ensure that the gum is completely gone.
- Check the garment's care label.
Before washing the garment, be sure to check the care label to determine the best washing method for the fabric.
- Pretreat the stain.
If there is any remaining gum residue, you can pretreat the stain with a stain remover. Be sure to test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using it on the entire garment.
- Wash the garment according to the care label.
Once the stain has been pretreated, wash the garment according to the care instructions on the label. Be sure to use the hottest water setting that is safe for the fabric.
- Dry the garment.
Once the garment has been washed, dry it according to the care instructions on the label. Be sure to check the garment carefully to make sure that all of the gum has been removed before putting it away.
Washing the garment is the final step in the process of removing gum from clothes. By following these steps, you can ensure that the gum is completely removed and that the garment is clean and fresh.
FAQ
If you have any questions about how to get gum out of clothes, check out our frequently asked questions below:
Question 1: What is the best way to remove gum from clothes?
Answer: The best way to remove gum from clothes depends on the type of fabric and the age of the gum. However, some general methods that are effective for most types of fabrics include freezing the gum, scraping it off with a butter knife or spoon, applying ice cubes, using peanut butter, applying WD-40, using rubbing alcohol, or trying hairspray.
Question 2: How do I remove gum from delicate fabrics?
Answer: To remove gum from delicate fabrics, try using a soft-bristled toothbrush to gently scrape off the gum. You can also try applying a small amount of ice to the gum to harden it and make it easier to remove. Be sure to test any cleaning method on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using it on the entire garment.
Question 3: What do I do if the gum is old and hard?
Answer: If the gum is old and hard, you can try freezing it to make it more brittle and easier to remove. You can also try applying a small amount of oil or butter to the gum to soften it and make it easier to scrape off.
Question 4: How do I remove gum from clothes that have already been washed and dried?
Answer: If the gum has already been washed and dried, you can try using a stain remover to remove the gum. Be sure to test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using it on the entire garment. You can also try using a hair dryer to heat up the gum and make it easier to remove.
Question 5: What should I do if the gum has left a stain on my clothes?
Answer: If the gum has left a stain on your clothes, you can try using a stain remover to remove the stain. Be sure to test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using it on the entire garment. You can also try using a mixture of vinegar and water to remove the stain.
Question 6: How do I prevent gum from sticking to my clothes in the future?
Answer: To prevent gum from sticking to your clothes in the future, avoid chewing gum while wearing clothes that you don't want to get gum on. If you do happen to get gum on your clothes, remove it as soon as possible to prevent it from setting in.
We hope this FAQ has been helpful! If you have any other questions, please feel free to leave a comment below.
Now that you know how to remove gum from clothes, here are a few tips to help you keep your clothes gum-free:
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you keep your clothes gum-free:
Tip 1: Avoid chewing gum while wearing clothes that you don't want to get gum on.
This is the best way to prevent gum from getting on your clothes in the first place. If you do happen to get gum on your clothes, remove it as soon as possible to prevent it from setting in.
Tip 2: If you do get gum on your clothes, remove it as soon as possible.
The longer the gum stays on your clothes, the harder it will be to remove. If you can, try to remove the gum before it has a chance to harden.
Tip 3: Use a stain remover to remove any remaining gum residue.
Once you have removed the gum, you may still be left with some residue. To remove the residue, you can use a stain remover. Be sure to test the stain remover on a small, inconspicuous area of the fabric before using it on the entire garment.
Tip 4: Keep a gum removal kit in your car or bag.
This is a great way to be prepared in case you ever get gum on your clothes while you're out and about. Your gum removal kit can include things like a butter knife, a spoon, a stain remover, and a hair dryer.
We hope these tips have been helpful! By following these tips, you can help to keep your clothes gum-free and looking their best.
Now that you know how to remove gum from clothes and how to prevent it from happening in the first place, you can enjoy your clothes without having to worry about gum stains.
Conclusion
Gum can be a sticky situation, but it doesn't have to ruin your clothes. By following the tips and tricks in this article, you can easily remove gum from your clothes and keep them looking their best.
To summarize the main points:
- The best way to remove gum from clothes depends on the type of fabric and the age of the gum.
- Some general methods that are effective for most types of fabrics include freezing the gum, scraping it off, applying ice cubes, using peanut butter, applying WD-40, using rubbing alcohol, or trying hairspray.
- To remove gum from delicate fabrics, try using a soft-bristled toothbrush or applying a small amount of ice to the gum.
- If the gum is old and hard, try freezing it or applying a small amount of oil or butter to soften it.
- To remove gum from clothes that have already been washed and dried, try using a stain remover or a hair dryer.
- To prevent gum from sticking to your clothes in the future, avoid chewing gum while wearing clothes that you don't want to get gum on, and remove gum from your clothes as soon as possible if you do get it on them.
We hope this article has been helpful! With a little patience and effort, you can easily remove gum from your clothes and keep them looking their best.