How do you get chewed bubblegum off your clothes?

Question

The other day I sat on a chair with gum on it and now it's all over the bum of my pants. Does anyone know how to get it off without leaving a stain?

Answer 1

Try the ice method or Goo Gone. I love Goo Gone!

Answer 2

Yuck, you've got gum all over your clothes! You've picked off as much as you can but that dreaded gum is still there. Instead of yelling and throwing a fit, why not try some methods that will often remove the gum from the clothing?

[edit] StepsGas (Petrol) Method

Put some gas on the cloth where you have gum. Gas (aka "petrol") dissolves the gum. Be very careful, since gasoline is flammable and hazardous. Use as little as will work.

Wash the clothing, by itself, according to its normal laundering instructions to remove any odor you have from the gas.

Freezing Method

Fold the article so that the gum faces outwards.

Place this into a plastic bag, making sure the gum does not stick to the bag. If you can't figure out a way to keep the gum from sticking to the bag, place the article of clothing on top of the bag.



Into the freezer you go!Seal the bag and place into the freezer for several hours (depending on the size of the gum and the garment) until it feels frozen. If you put the fabric on top of the bag rather than in it, make sure there's enough room in the freezer so that the clothing isn't touching anything in there except the plastic bag it's sitting on.



Scraping off the gumRemove from the freezer, open the bag and take out the contents. Peel the gum off the clothing as quickly as possible with an old, dull knife or a butter knife (to avoid cutting the fabric). Do not allow the gum to thaw out, as the freezing solidifies it and makes it easier to scrape off. If the gum does thaw out before you get it all off, freeze the garment again or use an ice cube (see Tips below).

Ironing Method

Place the article with the gum facing downwards onto a piece of cardboard.

Set an iron to medium heat.

Iron the clothing until the gum is no longer on the article, but has been transfered to the cardboard.

Peanut Butter Method

Spread peanut butter all over the gum itself. Keep in mind that the peanut butter is likely to get on the fabric and may stain it because it's a very oily substance. In case the peanut butter does leave a stain, use a liquid stain remover to remove the oils left by the peanut butter prior to washing. Alternatively, WD-40 works amazingly well.

Scrape gently with a blunt knife, exposing as much of the gum as possible to the peanut butter, which adheres to the gum so that the gum no longer adheres to the fabric.

Wait until the gum gets softer and loses its sticking ability.

Scrape the gum off the clothing.

Vinegar Method

Heat a cup of vinegar.



Brush it offDip a toothbrush in the hot vinegar and then rub the gum with it. Do it quickly, since the vinegar works best when it's hot.

Continue dipping and rubbing until the gum is gone. Reheat the vinegar as needed.

Wash the garment to remove the vinegar smell.

Liquid Laundry Soap Method

Cover the gummy area in liquid laundry soap.

Use a toothbrush to rub the laundry soap into the gum, breaking it up.

Use a blunt knife and gently scrape at the gum.

Lastly, use your fingernail to scrape the remaining gum off the fabric.

Throw it in the washing machine.

Lighter Fluid Method

Soak the back of the area where gum is stuck in old fashioned Lighter Fluid - the kind that comes in a can to fill old style cigarette lighters.

Turn the item back over, and you should be able to easily scrape away the gum.

Use a little more to finish the job, then rinse thoroughly before you launder it or clean as usual. Neither home nor commercial washers and (especially) dryers are intended to dispose of flammable liquids.

[edit] Tips

Ice cubes in a bagTry rubbing an ice cube on the gum to freeze it if there is only a very small piece of gum on the clothing. To avoid the fabric getting wet as the ice melts, place a plastic barrier (such as plastic wrap) between the ice and the fabric. Once the gum is completely frozen, scrape it off with a butter knife quickly as described above.

If all else fails, or if you don't want to risk damaging a delicate or expensive piece of clothing, take it to a reputable cleaner who can apply special solvents that will not stain or damage the fabric. It will cost you, but it's your best chance at saving a valued garment.

[edit] WarningsVinegar, peanut butter, and any other substances not intended for this use can damage the fabric.

Rubbing with a toothbrush, scraping with a blunt knife, or applying heat may also permanently ruin the garment.

Do not use flammable cleaning fluids near heat, sparks (including "static"), or any exposed electrical connection.

Petrol (gasoline) is a known carcinogen and is proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Avoid contact with skin and inhalation of fumes.

Answer 3

Hi

Place the jeans in a freezer then remove them after they have froze, then scrape the gum off.

Answer 4

I reviewed all the other answers and they are all basically the same. There is one other way that hasn't been suggested. I know it will work, but since you didn't mention what kind of clothe you happened to be wearing, I don't know if I would guarantee it. You must decide. Obviously, since you used the word bum, instead of butt, you might not have this readily available, but WD-40. It will take gum off of anything, get the sticky stuff off of books from the price tags, clean grease stains off of shoes,,,,,,ect.... It wasn't the intended use obviously, but what the h**l, it works. Just be careful, like anything else, and test it first, or use you brain. It might not get along with silk, for instance. Good luck!!

Answer 5

try freezing it than it may crack off

Answer 6

peanut butter!!

Answer 7

put ice on it and pick it off with something.. [like a toothpick or fork] then put it in the washer and it will come off.

Answer 8

ICE

Answer 9

1.  Take an ice cube and  rub it on the gum.  Scrape the hardened gum off with a blunt table knife.   This is how to get it off of carpet.

2.  Rub peanut butter on the gum and work it off with the dull knife.

3.  There are probably "degreaser" type of products available.  

*  Do not dry the pants in the dryer until you are sure that all of the gum is gone.  To do so would set the gum in permanantly.  

Answer 10

ICE is the best way i know of

Answer 11

Put ice on it until it freezes and then scrape it off