How to Remove Gum From Blue Jeans
Many of us have risen from a seat in a public place, only to discover we sat down on a wad of chewing gum--and now the gum seems to have permanently welded itself to the fabric of our blue jeans. Do not despair: You can remove chewing gum from fabrics with just a little bit of patience and tenacity. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Dull knife
- Ice
- Plastic bag
- Dry cleaning solvent
- Mineral oil
- Heavy-duty detergent
- Pre-treatment solution
Instructions
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1
Remove as much gum as possible from the cloth with a paper towel. If you discover its appearance quickly, the gum should be easy to remove.
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2
Place some ice in a zipper-type plastic bag. Set this on top on the gummy material. Wait at least 20 minutes for the gum to harden and then scrape off the remaining gum with a dull knife.
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3
Heat some vinegar in a small container in the microwave. Dip an old toothbrush into the heated vinegar and scrub away the gum.
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4
Try using some spot remover solution or dry cleaning solvent that you can purchase at a drug, grocery or hardware store, according to the Cornell Cooperative Extension website. Apply this to the area following the instructions on the package label. Be sure to place the item on a towel first to absorb any excess liquid.
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5
Apply mineral oil or peanut butter to the stain, scrape and rinse with hot water. Remember to use a pre-treatment spray and a heavy-duty laundry detergent to wash your jeans afterward to remove any traces of oil.
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Tips & Warnings
Denim is pretty tough, but be sure to follow the label care instructions on articles made from other materials. Not all treatments are good for all fabrics.