We List Down The Most Effective Ways to Remove a Gum from Clothes
We have seen some of the most tried-and-true ways to remove gum stuck to your clothes, others worked and others did not. While it’s disappointing (and maybe a little embarrassing), not all is lost. We’re providing the most gentle and effective gum removing treatments so you can remove the gum without damaging your clothes.Get Gum Out With Apple Cider Vinegar
Any vinegar other than white vinegar has the possibility of staining a fabric, so we recommend to only use apple cider vinegar on dark or black garments.- Microwave a small amount of apple cider vinegar for 15 seconds. You will want it warm..
- Submerge the fabric affected with gum into the warm apple cider vinegar. Alternatively, transfer a few teaspoons of the solution directly onto the gum if you can’t submerge the material. Either way is helpful.
- Use a knife or the edge of credit card, gently pry at the gum edges to remove larger chunks.
- Follow it with rubbing the gum using an old toothbrush. (The apple cider vinegar will begin to congeal and clump any residual gum. The clumps will adhere to the toothbrush bristles).
- Run the garment through the laundry and check the results.
Read more about How to Remove Chewing Gum
Can You Use Rubbing Alcohol to Remove Gum?
Yes. Isopropyl alcohol (rubbing alcohol) is also a convenient. proven option that can help save your most delicate garments.- Start with dipping a cotton ball into the rubbing alcohol.
- Apply the cotton ball directly to the gum, ensure that you are soaking all sides. It also helps to soak the underside of the gum, also keep the backside of the fabric saturated with the cotton ball.
- Put a piece of duct tape on top of the gum. Peel the tape off. You should be able to slowly separate the edges of the gum from the fabric. Peel away the gum.
- Launder the garment as usual.
Get Gum Out Using an Ice Pack
If the gum is still fresh (sticky and stretchy), it helps to cool it.
- Get an ice pack and place it on the affected spot. Leave it for 10 to 20 minutes.
- Use a knife or even the edge of a credit card will do. Lift the gum from the fabric. If it’s still stretchy, re-apply the ice pack for another 5 minutes.
- Getting stretchy, fresh gum stuck on your clothing is challenging, and it may be a good example of when you may find that an aforementioned apple cider vinegar or rubbing alcohol treatment can help eliminate residual stickiness.
- Launder the Garment.
Does Ironing Helps to Get The Gum Out?
Yes. If the gum has hardened into a glob, softening it can help get the job done.
- Lay a piece of cardboard onto your ironing surface.
- Place your garment gum-side down on the cardboard.
- Set your iron to low heat, and warm the gum for no more than 30 seconds.
- Ensure to avoid high heat and avoid pressing hard, as you do not want to make the gum so soft that it penetrates deeper into the fibers.
- Peel the fabric away to find that the gum has transferred from the garment and to the cardboard.
Check out this post Get Rid of That Stubborn Chewing Gum
Wash Gum Out With Laundry Detergent
Spot cleaning stuck gum with your favorite liquid laundry detergent can help loosen it from clothing. Do the step-by-step recommendations below;
- Apply a teaspoon of liquid laundry detergent directly to the gum and surrounding fabric. Let it sit for no less than 5 minutes.
- Use a toothbrush to work the detergent into the edges of the gum to treat the fabric, please make sure that you covered all the affected areas.
- Use the edge of a knife to lift the gum from the material.
- Rinse thoroughly with water or launder the entire garment.
With the above gum removing tips, you are now ready to tackle those pesky gum stains. If you want to make cleaning even easier, why not leave it to the experts? Contact our Maggy Maid house cleaning in San Diego team today for more professional cleaning advice and maid referral services! We’re here to help you maintain a spotless, stress-free home. Book now or give us a call anytime at (619) 734-7457!
