How to Get Gum Out of Your Rug
At some point in every homeowner's life, the dreaded piece of chewing gum finds its way onto the rug. Gooey gum can wreak havoc on carpet fibers. Getting gum out of your rug can seem impossible. You don't have to cut and remove a section of the rug, though, to get the gum out. Learn how to get gum out of your rug without destroying the rug, your decor, or your piece of mind. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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How to Get Gum Out of Your Rug
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1
Examine the carpet. Be sure you know whether it is cotton, wool, or a synthetic fiber before going on to step two.
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2
Remove as much of the gum as possible with your hands. Spend as much time as you need removing the gum. The more you rush and leave excess gum, the harder it will be to remove everything without leaving a trace of the original accident.
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3
Freeze the gum that remains. Take an ice cube or a small bag of frozen peas and freeze the gum that is in the rug. As the gum freezes, it should break off in small pieces. Remove as much as possible through this technique. If gum remains, move on to step four.
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4
Smear a small amount of peanut butter on the remaining gum. Carefully rub the peanut butter in. The gum should start to ball up and lift out of the fibers. Rub the rug fibers between your fingers and slowly remove the now-gooey gum. If gum remains, move on to step five.
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5
Use butane lighter fluid on the remaining gum. Spray lighter fluid on the remaining gum and work it into the gum and rug. Remove remaining gum slowly.
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6
Soak up as much of the oil and/or butane lighter fluid as possible from the rug and follow stain removal procedures.
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Tips & Warnings
Keep trying. You never know what will work.
Do not overuse peanut butter. The oils can permanently stain the carpet.
Do not use butane lighter fluid on wool carpeting.
Do not use lighter fluid if the gum is near a heat source or if the carpet is made of wool.
