How to Successfully Remove Gum from Fabric and Carpets

One of the most frustrating things that could happen is if you have gum stuck in some fabric or worse, in your carpet. Before you tear your hair out, you should understand that there are some solutions for getting the gum out.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Gum stain on fabric or carpet
• Ice, peanut butter, or alcohol

1. The most widely used method is to somehow freeze the gum using ice or some other cold materials. After the gum hardens, you can slowly chip away at it with a knife or other utensil.

2. Another solution is to apply some greasy peanut butter to the gummed area. Mix the peanut butter all around the gum. The peanut butter will cause the gum to lose its stickiness. As you wipe away the peanut butter, the gum should come off as well. You'll need to shampoo the area to get all the peanut butter off.

3. Yet another solution is to use some alcohol (e.g., rubbing alcohol). This will cause the gum to dissolve and break apart. You should be able to scrape it off with a knife. But before you use this solution, test the area to make sure the alcohol doesn't take off the material's color(s).

[Walkaboutangel]

on 1/27/2009 There are some commercial preparations that work quite well also...

Angel

[writeitout]

on 1/26/2009 I wonder if this method will work for poster putty? Thanks!

[sneedc]

on 1/24/2009 I will drink the alcohol and then attempt to remove the gum with the peanut butter & ice! ha! 5*