How to Remove Gum From Low-Pile Carpet

Many people chew gum to ease stress, whiten their teeth, or freshen their breath. Inadvertently stepping on chewed gum may cause the sticky glob to transfer from your shoe sole onto carpeting. Once freshly chewed gum comes in contact with carpet, the moist wad begins to harden and stick to carpet piles. The longer the carpet pile, the more ground-in the gum can become. Fortunately, basic supplies effectively remove chewing gum from low-pile carpet.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag
• Ice cubes
• Dull knife
• 2 white dishrags
• Dry-cleaning solvent
• Thick, white towel

Instructions

1. Lay a plastic bag of ice cubes on the sticky wad. Keep the gum covered with ice until the gum hardens.

2. Scrape the hardened gum off the carpet. Using a dull knife, gently loosen the wad from the carpet. Detach the gum in small pieces, if necessary.

3. Moisten a white dishrag with dry-cleaning solvent to treat the remaining gum. Follow the dry-cleaning solvent manufacturer's instructions. Blot the carpet with the solvent until the gum is removed.

4. Dampen a clean, white dishrag with lukewarm water. Use the rag to lightly blot the carpet and rinse out the solvent.

5. Blot the damp carpet with a thick, white towel to absorb moisture.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove extremely stubborn gum with a combination of 2 cups lukewarm water, 1 tbsp. dish detergent, and 1 tbsp. vinegar.

• Spot-test a drop of dry-cleaning solvent on a hidden area of the carpet before you use it to remove the gum.

References

• International Chewing Gum Association: The Benefits of Gum
• Real Simple: Carpet Stain Solutions
• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster -- Chewing Gum