Comments on: How to Remove Gum From a Shoe

on 9/19/2006 Paper towels and scraping sometimes don't always work, so try this:

Put sand or dry dirt on the area and rub with a stick. The dirt will adhere to the hard to reach places on the gum. After about 3 minutes, the gum will most likely come off your shoe.

on 8/8/2006 Lighter fluid (containing naptha), dissolves gum on contact. I just poured a little fluid on the gum, rubbed it with my finger until the gum dissolved and then wiped it dry with a cloth.

on 8/8/2006 Put a little nail-polish remover on a cotton pad, rub onto the gun. It's basically paint remover, and will dissolve the gum. For shoes with grooves, follow up with an old toothbrush to brush out the now-dissolved gum.

on 8/8/2006 You will need:
-sandwich bag (1)
-toilet paper/facial tissues (~10 sheets)
OR
-a small pack of facial tissues (the kind that's designed for purses), in this case, skip to step 3

1. Fold up the paper into a rectangle about the size of the gum, this rectangle should be about half an inch thick.
2. Put the paper in the bag and fold the bag to fit the paper (You can use tape to tape the bag, just make sure that you leave the bag tape side down for the next step).
3. Put the bag of tissues on the ground and step on it, making sure that the full surface area of the gum makes contact with the bag
4. Walk around a little.
5. Pull off the bag, with any luck, the gum will have adhered to the bag and come off your shoe.

For best results, use a pack of facial tissues. Although you'll end up with a pack of tissues with gum stuck to the bag.

on 6/30/2006 I have found an excellent product that is made from natural citrus bases. As such, it's non toxic and biodegradable. It completely removes any sticky residue, such as that which remains after removing stickers, labels from CD cases etc., oh, it also completely removes gum too!

Just Google "De-Solv-It"

on 11/22/2005 After you notice that you stepped on gum, scuff your shoe on a patch of dirt or gravel, it will scrape it right off.

on 11/22/2005 First, scrape off all the gum you can, then when you still have a little left, apply rubbing alcohol to a paper towel or old rag and then rub against the remaining gum, it will come off easily in a few seconds!

on 11/22/2005 WD40 works, but it leaves stains. Oils leave stains also. The one oil I felt works the best and leaves no marks is mustard oil. Just put some on a soft towel and rub it on the affected area. The gum will come right off, leaving no marks whatsoever.

on 11/22/2005 The paint thinner on a Q-tip method is great for gum wedged inside the treads on vibram soles! First, scrape off the pebbles and grime that has adhered to the sole to expose the yucky gum.

on 11/22/2005 Scrape off as much of the gum as possible, then use tweezers to pull any more off. Then, rub an ice cube across the gum to freeze and dampen it, then using a knife, scrape more off. Finally, put some washing up liquid on a scourer, and scrub it off. Don't forget to wash everything afterward.

on 11/22/2005 Dip a Q-tip into paint thinner and apply to the area. You will see the gum dissolve from the surface and stick on the Q-tip.

on 11/22/2005 Try using petrol! Simply dab a damp cloth with some petrol and apply it to the gum. The petrol instantly dissolves the gum for quick and easy removal.

on 11/22/2005 Put the whole shoe in a Ziplock bag. Smoosh the gum into the plastic bag. Put the bag in the freezer (be sure to zip the bag closed first). Wait until the gum is frozen. Take the bag out of the freezer and immediately take the shoe out of the bag. The gum will stick to the bag.

on 11/22/2005 Dip a Q-tip in some gasoline and gently rub off the gum. Then, you can clean the shoe with a damp rag. This works great on walls, too. My three-year-old stuck gum on the wall and I was able to get rid of it by using gasoline and then cleaning with a soapy damp cloth.

on 11/22/2005 Apply a liberal smear of peanut butter to the gum, and remove with a paper towel.