How to Remove Bubble Gum & Peanut Butter
One of the hardest substances to get out of clothes, hair, furniture, or carpet is chewing gum. It's pesky glue-like resistance makes for a difficult and stubborn removal. Peanut butter's rich, greasy consistency may seem like the best way to remove gum from a surface, but it's not the only way. There are several techniques to use to remove gum from various surfaces. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Peanut butter
- Chocolate
- Comb or brush
- Ice cubes
- Vinegar
- Toothbrush
- Mayonnaise
Instructions
-
Peanut Butter
-
1
Peanut butter has a great thick and greasy consistency that will help get chewing gum out of surfaces. Be warned, however: Do not use greasy peanut butter on surfaces that will be ruined from the peanut butter's grease. Use a different method to remove gum from clothing, furniture, or carpet.
-
2
Scoop a few teaspoons of peanut butter from the jar and apply it to the gum stuck in hair.
-
-
3
Work the peanut butter through with your fingers for a few minutes, and the slick consistency will cause the gum to come out.
Chocolate
-
4
Chocolate works in the same way peanut butter does, so reserve this method for hair only.
-
5
Melt some chocolate and apply it to the gum stain with a rag or an old toothbrush.
-
6
Let it stand for several minutes, allowing the chocolate to dissolve the gum's stickiness.
-
7
Once the stickiness is dissolved, brush or comb out the remnants.
Ice Cubes
-
8
For a gum stain on a favorite garment or expensive piece of furniture, use ice cubes because after all, it's only frozen water and readily available in your freezer.
-
9
Place an ice cube on the gum stain and slowly move it over the stain.
-
10
After the gum hardens and loses its sticky consistency, you can crack off the gum in large pieces.
Vinegar
-
11
Heat vinegar in a microwave safe cup for about 30 seconds.
-
12
With an old toothbrush, apply the vinegar to the gum stain.
-
13
The vinegar will disintegrate the gum.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
There are other household remedies for gum removal that are easily available around the house or for purchase at a drug or grocery store. Mayonnaise's rich and creamy texture works well to slick up the gum so it will slide right off of a surface. Also, placing a garment with a gum stain in the freezer for a day will help the gum to harden so once removed, it will crack right off. Always remember to wash the surface or area as normal after gum removal to enjoy your item/surface pre-gum stain.
