In this case, it is necessary to take into account prohibitions and warnings, the violation of which can lead to damage to things.
We will tell you in this article how to remove chewing gum from clothes, even if it is very stuck and smeared.
Traditional methods for removing stains at home
When cleaning, you should consider:
- the degree of neglect of the situation (old, smeared chewing gum is more difficult to remove than fresh chewing gum, which has not had time to stick “tightly”);
- the material from which the affected clothing is made;
- availability of preparations used for cleaning.
There are several basic methods for cleaning material from chewing gum:
- Temperature (heating, freezing).
- Chemical (exposure to solvents and other reagents).
- Mechanical.
In most cases, it is necessary to use a set of measures, combining different approaches. In this case, for example, exposure to a solvent is combined with mechanical cleaning of clothing items.
Heating with a hairdryer if it is very stuck
Hardened chewing gum stuck to the fibers of the material can be removed by heating it. For these purposes, it is convenient to use a hair dryer.
Work order:
- the hair dryer is set to supply warm air;
- a stream of heated air is directed onto the elastic band;
- When the chewing gum becomes soft, it can be removed with a brush or napkin.
Heating cannot be used with all materials. Wool, thin chiffon, natural silk and other delicate fabrics are prohibited.
How to remove the ferry?
For processing, you need to boil water. Hold the cloth over the still boiling water, exposing the affected area of the item to the steam. The rubber band will soften and can be removed. This method can only be used for high temperature resistant fabrics.
Clean with vinegar
The use of vinegar is effective due to its effect as a solvent . In order for the result to be higher, it must be heated to a warm temperature.
This can be done using a water bath or microwave. You can use warm vinegar like this: dip the bristles of the brush into it and use it to clean off the gum.
If the liquid has cooled down and the work is not completed, the preparation must be heated again. Completes the cleaning - washing.
This method can lead to discoloration of paints , so it is not used for caring for clothes with bright colors or unstable dyeing.
Remove with boiling water
The impact method is aimed at softening the structure of the gum. After this, it is cleaned off with a brush.
Boiling water can be used in three ways:
- pour on the treated area;
- dip the area with the rubber band into boiling water;
- Dip the entire thing into boiling water.
This method is not acceptable for things that cannot tolerate high temperatures. The possibility of such an impact must be clarified on the product label.
Without loss, you can process, for example, light natural cotton in this way.
Remove with iron
Using an iron softens the elastic. For processing you will need additional fabric and porous paper. The technique is simple, but is not suitable for synthetics, genuine leather, suede and delicate materials.
Treatment:
- Turn the item inside out.
- Place additional cloth or porous soft paper under the stained area.
- Apply a heated iron to the problem area.
- After warming up the gum, clean it off.
After such treatment, a stain may remain in place of the stuck gum. You will have to deal with it using a stain remover and subsequent washing.
You should not touch the chewing gum directly with the heated sole of the iron. Otherwise, you will have to clean the iron itself and deal with the issue of chewing gum smeared over an even larger area.
When using an iron, you should apply it to the material without moving it from side to side . Otherwise, the stain may only become larger.
Freeze and peel
This method is one of the simplest and yet most effective. But it can only be used for dried chewing gum, otherwise stains on the material may occur.
To implement it you need:
- prepare cellophane into which the item will fit completely;
- Free up enough space in the freezer.
Work order:
- Fold the damaged item so that the section with the elastic is on top.
- Place the bag in the freezer.
- Wait about an hour, sometimes longer.
- Take the item out of the package.
- Before the gum gets hot, scrape it off with a spatula, scraper, or other non-sharp object.
- If necessary, repeat the manipulation.
This method is designed for small products that fit freely in a household freezer.
Peel off using ice
For bulky items that do not fit in the freezer due to their size, you can use the local impact technique. To do this, ice frozen into cubes is placed in a cellophane bag and applied.
The cooled gum becomes brittle and is removed . On cold winter days, the frost outside will help deal with chewing gum - just placing the thing on the open balcony for a couple of hours.
If the ice melts too quickly, you need to take another one and continue processing.
Means for refilling lighters
You can freeze chewing gum using a lighter refill can. The rubber material becomes brittle from such exposure and can be removed by prying it with some object.
This method is one of the fastest in response . In addition, the gas does not leave stains or other damage on the material.
Use gasoline to remove stubborn chewing gum
Using gasoline will help you cope even with well-dried chewing gum. The affected area of the material is well moistened with gasoline. After standing for 5-10 minutes, the elastic band is removed.
You can’t do without subsequent washing. It will help remove solvent residues and eliminate unpleasant odors.
Wash with liquid soap, shampoo, shower gel
A soapy detergent will deal with the elastic if it is not old.
The damaged area of the material is moistened in warm water and soaped well . Remove the softened stain by helping yourself with a scraper, spatula or spoon.
This method is gentle, but may not be effective for old stains.
Acetone
Acetone is applied liberally to the sponge and applied to the area with the rubber band. Acting as a solvent, acetone weakens the adhesion of the viscous mass to the fibers of the fabric, and allows you to remove the chewing gum with a napkin. The use of acetone is not suitable for cleaning delicate fabrics.
Hair fixation spray
Any varnish is suitable for the job, except those containing glitter . The product is actively sprayed onto the gum.
After the preparation has dried, the chewing gum can be removed by prying it off with a blunt knife or spatula. The item will need to be washed after treatment.
Get rid of it using alcohol
A sponge soaked in alcohol must be applied to the problem area on the fabric. By rubbing and slightly shaking the sticky lump, you should try to remove it. At the same time, alcohol will not leave chewing gum stains.
How to remove smeared gum? (video)
Removing the rubber band itself is not that difficult, especially if it has recently stuck. But it is much more difficult to wipe off chewing gum smeared on the fabric, because it is already firmly ingrained into the structure.
You can remove residues with any of the professional products suggested above, as well as stain removers. Another way to help solve the problem is vinegar. The only downside to this method is that it is not suitable for delicate fabrics.
A 9% vinegar solution must be heated in a small container, without bringing it to a boil, and turn it off. While the liquid has not yet cooled, you should dip a medium-hard toothbrush into it, brush off the gum for 5-10 minutes, and then wash the clothes.
Top 3 special compositions
There are quite a lot of products on the household chemicals market that are designed to remove chewing gum. These products are fast-acting and effective, allowing you to remove stuck lumps from various surfaces.
If a little prankster who loves chewing gum lives in the house, and problems with gum in unexpected places often arise, it makes sense to purchase the appropriate product.
Spartan Chewing Gum Remover
The drug is available in an aerosol can . Its action is to remove the gum by freezing. Weight – 84 grams. In addition to chewing gum, Gum Remover is suitable for removing wax and other sticky substances.
Application is very simple, since the product is completely ready for use. Gum Remover is sprayed onto the affected area and the frozen gum is scraped off with a scraper. Price – about 320 rubles.
SAPUR FREEZE
Aerosol SAPUR FREEZE is designed to eliminate gum by freezing . The drug is applied by spraying onto the stain. The freezing process is very fast. Having become fragile, the elastic band is easily cleaned without leaving any stains behind. Price – 700 rubles per bottle.
Anti-chewing gum Lucky Bee
Lucky Bee is produced in Russia. Release form: gel. The drug is packaged in small convenient bottles of 30 ml. Anti-chewing gum is applied directly to the gum, allowing it to be removed not only from clothing, but also from other materials. Does not leave behind stains. Price – from 155 rubles.
Features of processing taking into account the type of fabric
The choice of cleaning method for fabrics should take into account their composition. Information about this can be found on the product label and by reading the manufacturer’s recommendation.
Cotton
Cotton items can be cleaned by exposure to a stream of warm air (hair dryer, steam). For light-colored fabrics, the option of using very hot water, alcohol or vinegar, or freezing is also suitable.
Linen
Cooling to sub-zero temperatures is a method that works well for linen items. High temperature processing is suitable for dense materials that do not contain synthetic impurities. Alcohol and vinegar can be used to a limited extent by testing their effect on an inconspicuous area.
Synthetics
Methods of influence when cleaning synthetics should take into account the density and texture of the product. Heating should not be used for any artificial materials - things will react unpredictably to such treatment.
The best options for delicate synthetics are as gentle as possible. For example, using liquid soap.
Wool
The fleecy, porous texture of wool makes chewing gum difficult to remove . When cleaning sweaters, cardigans, and other similar items, the best cleaning method is to place the item in the freezer. You can also use alcohol for cleaning.
Leather
Freezing will help deal with chewing gum. To do this, the item is placed in the freezer for a couple of hours, after which the elastic band can be easily removed.
The mark left after removal can be washed using liquid soap . After drying, it is advisable to treat a genuine leather item with a special product - spray or cream.
Artificial and patent leather cannot be frozen. Read this article about how to remove chewing gum from leather products.
Jeans
Thick denim allows the use of heat . 100% cotton can be cleaned by heating the affected area with a hair dryer or other method. Alcohol, refined gasoline and special products are also suitable for cleaning.
Velor, suede, nubuck
Suede, nubuck and velor are very high-maintenance materials. Removing chewing gum from such a complex surface is a very responsible undertaking.
The best way is to use freezing. After removing the main mass, the surface can be treated with a special brush.
Combined methods
If one removal method does not help, do not despair. There is a combined alternative for this.
Method 1
Warm the fabric with a hairdryer or iron for 5 – 10 seconds. Then soak a cotton sponge in gasoline and wipe off the gum. The rubber will come off in a matter of minutes under the influence of high temperature and gasoline.
Method 2
Mix soda ash, salt and scrub the surface. Afterwards, blot with heated vinegar or acetone.
Method 3
If you smeared chewing gum during initial cleaning, how do you remove it from your clothes? Treat the material mechanically - with a brush, and go over the remaining chewing gum with a melamine sponge. Press the fabric moderately, otherwise you will damage it.
Important! Wear gloves. Afterwards, wash the clothes at high temperature or twice by hand. Do not use powder or cleaning products containing chlorine.
Method 4
Perhaps the most confusing, but useful lifehack. Clean clothes with a brush or squeegee. Then soak in boiling water for 1 - 2 minutes and start cleaning - picking it out with cosmetic tweezers or a thin crochet hook. This way you will definitely not disturb the structure of the tissue and remove the chewing gum to the maximum.
Method 5
If the elastic is stuck to rough trouser fabric or burlap, then immerse the area in acetone. After 1 minute, stick another piece of gum or adhesive tape on top and tear it off sharply. Be careful not to touch any areas of undamaged tissue.
What not to do?
When starting to clean things, you need to remember the existing prohibitions:
It is not advisable to use sharp objects - you can damage the fabric. Their use must be very careful.- You won't be able to remove a well-adhered rubber band by simply pulling it. Zealousness can lead to damage to the product.
- It is forbidden to apply intense pressure to thin, delicate materials.
- When cleaning, you can’t rush, you need to act systematically. In an effort to speed up the process, you can smear the gum even more.
- You should not leave unfinished cleaning, as gum residue can adhere even more strongly to the fibers, and a stain will often form on the area where the gum has already been removed if the item is not washed.
Professional remedies for chewing gum on clothes
Not only you were upset by the banal sticky gum on your favorite Levi's, and not only you were puzzled by the question of how to remove it now. The Americans have long thought for you and invented a spray with which you can quickly and safely remove not only chewing gum, but also plasticine, glue and other complex stains from clothes.
If you couldn’t find such an amazing remedy, and you couldn’t wipe the gum off your pants using improvised means, you can always dry-clean the item.
This pleasure is not cheap, and here it’s up to you to decide what’s more expensive: fashionable trousers that you can still wear and some expenses to get the gum out of them, or the amount of money saved and new wonderful trousers for the garden.
Recommendations
Expert advice will help you carry out the work as simply and without losses as possible:
- The ineffectiveness of one method is not a reason to give up; you can try the following recipe.
- Expensive, intricately decorated or delicate items, if you doubt your own abilities, can be dry-cleaned, entrusting the complex decision to professionals.
- Before using solvents, heating or freezing, do not attempt to scrape/cut/pull off the gum by mechanical means.
- Chemical removal methods are better suited for removing old stains.
- For cleaning, it is convenient to use small brushes that allow you to carry out the treatment carefully. A convenient option is an old toothbrush.
You will find all the most important and useful information about removing chewing gum from various surfaces in this section.
Method 8. Liquid soap or liquid powder
Apply liquid soap to a dirty fabric with chewing gum stuck to it and rub it thoroughly into the fabric, then remove the gum with a knife.
- Pour liquid soap generously onto the gum.
- Scrub the area with a toothbrush.
- Take a sharp object (a knife, for example) and remove the gum.
- Wash the item so that no soap stains remain.
