Finding a sticky wad of gum on your carpet, clothing, upholstery – or even in someone’s hair – is never fun. But the good news is that removing chewing gum doesn’t have to be difficult. With the right techniques and a bit of patience, gum can be safely removed from just about any surface.
Removing Chewing Gum from Washable Fabrics
Freezing the gum is still the most effective and fabric-safe first step:
Freeze: Place the garment in the freezer for about an hour, or press a plastic bag filled with ice directly on the gum until it hardens.
Scrape: Use a dull knife, spoon, or plastic scraper to gently lift away the gum.
Treat residue: Apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol or white vinegar using a clean cloth to break down remaining stickiness.
Wash: Launder the item as usual. Be sure the gum is fully gone before placing it in the dryer, as heat can set the stain.
Optional Alternatives
Peanut butter or cooking oil: Apply a small amount to the gum to loosen it. Scrape off, then pre-treat the area with stain remover or dish soap before washing to avoid grease stains.
Commercial adhesive removers (like Goo Gone): Safe for many washable fabrics, but always spot test first.
Removing Gum from Dry Clean Only Fabrics
For delicate fabrics:
Follow the freezing and gentle scraping method to remove the bulk of the gum.
Skip solvents – take the item to a professional dry cleaner and point out the affected area.
Removing Chewing Gum from Carpets and Upholstery
The process is similar to fabrics but with extra care:
Freeze the gum with a bag of ice until it’s solid.
Scrape off gently using a dull tool.
Apply adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol to break up remaining residue. Blot, don’t rub.
Clean the area with carpet shampoo or mild soapy water to finish.
Avoid saturating upholstery with liquids. Always blot and dry thoroughly.
Removing Chewing Gum from Hair
Whether it’s your child’s hair or your pet’s fur:
Rub in peanut butter or cooking oil: These break down the gum’s stickiness.
Work gently with your fingers or a wide-tooth comb to remove the gum.
Wash the hair thoroughly to remove any oil.
Removing Chewing Gum from Hard Surfaces
For surfaces like plastic, metal, painted walls, wood, and countertops:
Freeze the gum with an ice pack or ice cubes in a plastic bag.
Scrape off with a plastic scraper or an old credit card.
Clean the residue using warm, soapy water or rubbing alcohol.
Rinse and dry.
Avoid abrasive tools on delicate finishes.
Removing Chewing Gum from Leather
Scrape carefully to remove as much gum as possible.
Use suds from a mild soap and water mix (not the water itself). Apply with a cloth and gently rub.
Wipe with a clean, damp cloth and dry.
Follow up with a leather conditioner or cleaner.
Removing Gum from Suede
Suede is delicate and requires special care:
Scrape gently to remove surface gum.
Use a gummy art eraser or suede brush to lift remaining residue.
If needed, try extra-fine sandpaper or an emery board, lightly and carefully.
Avoid liquids on suede, which can stain.
Removing Chewing Gum from Linoleum and Vinyl Floors
Freeze and scrape: Harden the gum with ice and lift it off.
Apply adhesive remover or rubbing alcohol with a cloth to remove residue.
Wash with warm soapy water. Avoid steel wool unless absolutely necessary – and even then, use extra-fine grade very gently.
Dry thoroughly. Re-wax if needed to restore the finish.
Outdated or Risky Methods to Avoid
You may come across advice suggesting older gum removal methods like:
Lighter fluid
Gasoline
Steel wool on delicate surfaces
Beaten egg whites
While these were once common, they’re no longer recommended for the following reasons:
Lighter fluid and gasoline are flammable, toxic, and can damage fabric or leave strong odors. They also pose safety risks indoors.
Steel wool, especially on soft surfaces like vinyl or wood, can cause permanent scratches.
Egg whites can leave behind protein stains or cause odor issues – and don’t clean particularly well compared to modern alternatives.
Safer, Modern Substitutes
Rubbing alcohol or vinegar: Great for breaking down gum safely.
Peanut butter or vegetable oil: Still useful, but must be followed with degreasing.
Commercial gum and adhesive removers: Readily available, often more effective and surface-safe.
Whatever method you use for removing chewing gum, always spot test first on an inconspicuous area, and be gentle to avoid damaging the surface. With the right approach, even the stickiest situations can be cleaned up with minimal fuss.
