How to Remove Dried Chewing Gum From Carpet
Gum was invented to freshen your breath and in some cases whiten your teeth, but it was not created to act as an accessory on your carpet. So if the DoubleMint hits the living room rug, don't panic, there are ways to get the eyesore off your floor without having to recarpet the whole room. Until a nonstick gum is invented, all you need are a few common household items and ingredients to get yourself out of the sticky situation. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Ice
- Plastic bag
- Butter knife
- Carpet cleaning spray
- White vinegar
- Liquid dish washing soap
- Dry towels
Instructions
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1
Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes and rub it on the gum and around the area stuck to the carpet. This will harden the gum and make it easier to scrape off the fibers.
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2
Use a butter knife to gently scrape hardened gum off the carpet. Don't use a sharp knife as you could cut the carpet or your hand.
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3
Spray a carpet cleaning solution on a clean white towel and blot the area to pick up any stains. You may have to repeat several times, depending on the color of the gum and how much of it is stuck to the carpet.
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4
Mix equal parts of white vinegar and liquid dishwashing soap with warm water and dab treat the spot, according to a stain buster article from Good Housekeeping. Use a dry towel to blot the area dry and repeat if necessary.
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5
Contact your local professional carpet cleaning company to have your carpets steam cleaned if the stain remains after the above steps.
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Tips & Warnings
As with any stain, you'll want to treat it as soon as possible for the best chance of completely removing it. The longer you wait, the more time it has to set in permanently.
Only use products you know are safe to use on carpet and will not affect the coloring. If you're unsure, do a spot test in an inconspicuous area before treating a spot that is noticeable.
