How to Get Gum Off Shoe Soles

Scrape the majority of the gum off as soon as you step in it.

You would like to think that people don’t spit gum on the sidewalk anymore, and most adults probably don’t. However, children do, and that is how your nice new sneakers or high heels suddenly become glued to the concrete. Though an unappetizing thought, the best thing to do is scrape off as much gum as possible as soon as you notice it. The longer you walk on it, the more compressed it becomes, filling up the treads of sneakers and making a large flat pancake on the smooth bottom of dress shoes. Once you return home, a few home remedies will help you get the rest off.

Things You'll Need

• Plastic bag
• Knife
• Olive oil
• Natural peanut butter

Instructions

Freezing

1. Insert the shoe in a plastic bag to protect the food in your freezer.

2. Set the shoe in your freezer and allow it to freeze for at least three hours or overnight.

3. Remove the shoe from the freezer and the plastic bag.

4. Pry the gum off the bottom of your shoe with a knife. Work quickly. Once the gum begins to thaw, it becomes sticky again.

Goo to Fight Goo

1. Cover the gum with olive oil or natural peanut butter. Natural peanut butter has more oil in it than processed peanut butter. Massage the oil into and around the gum, allowing it to seep into the treads and under the gum.

2. Allow the oil to soak for 10 minutes or longer. If you are not in a hurry, you can leave it as long as necessary.

3. Scrape the gum off the sole of the shoe with a knife or other sharp instrument. The gum will be sticky, but it will come of easier than without the oil.

4. Repeat the treatment as necessary until you remove all the gum.

Tips & Warnings

• Apply anti-bacterial hand sanitizer to fresh gum before trying to pick it off. The alcohol will dry out the gum and kill germs.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Stain Buster -- Chewing Gum
• HowToCleanStuff.net: How to Remove Gum from Shoes