How to Take Off Chewing Gum from Clothes Without Damaging the Fabric

You got chewing gum stuck on your clothes. Maybe you sat on it, or it got on your child’s shirt. The sticky mess seems impossible to remove, but chewing gum can be removed from most washable fabrics. The key is hardening the gum or breaking it down. Here’s how to take off chewing gum from clothes without damage.

Chewing gum on clothes is a sticky residue caused by synthetic rubber and polymers bonding with fabric fibers. Chewing gum is elastic and sticky at room temperature but becomes brittle when cold and breaks down when exposed to oils or solvents. Removing gum requires either hardening it (ice) to peel it off, or breaking it down (heat, oil, vinegar, or solvents) to dissolve it.

To take off chewing gum from clothes, freeze the gum with ice and peel it off, or apply heat with an iron to transfer the gum to paper, or apply vinegar or oil to break down the gum. Wash with Tide Free and Gentle after removing the gum. Don’t pull the gum off while it’s soft, don’t use hot water first, and don’t use sharp objects that can damage the fabric.

Method 1: Ice (Best for Most Fabrics)

Step 1: Apply Ice

Place ice cubes in a plastic bag and put the bag on the gum. Let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes until the gum is hard and brittle.

Step 2: Peel Off the Gum

Once the gum is hard, peel it off with your fingers or scrape it with a dull edge (butter knife or credit card). Don’t use sharp objects that can cut the fabric.

Step 3: Remove Residue

If any residue remains, apply more ice and scrape again. Or use one of the other methods below for the remaining residue.

Step 4: Wash

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. Add half a cup of Arm and Hammer Baking Soda for extra cleaning.

Method 2: Heat (Best for Thick Fabrics)

Step 1: Place Paper on the Gum

Place a piece of brown paper or cardboard on top of the gum, with the gum facing the paper.

Step 2: Apply Heat with an Iron

Set an iron to medium heat. Iron over the paper. The heat softens the gum and transfers it to the paper.

Step 3: Peel Off the Paper

Peel off the paper. The gum should stick to the paper. Repeat with fresh paper if needed.

Step 4: Remove Residue

If any residue remains, use the ice method or the vinegar method below.

Step 5: Wash

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water.

Method 3: Vinegar (Best for Small Areas)

Step 1: Heat Vinegar

Heat white vinegar in a microwave for 30 seconds. The warm vinegar breaks down the gum.

Step 2: Apply to the Gum

Apply the warm vinegar to the gum with a cotton ball or cloth. Let it sit for 5 minutes.

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the gum with an old toothbrush. The vinegar breaks down the gum and the brush removes it from the fibers.

Step 4: Rinse

Rinse with warm water.

Step 5: Wash

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water.

Method 4: Oil (Best for Stubborn Gum)

Step 1: Apply Oil

Apply a small amount of Dawn Ultra Dish Soap or cooking oil to the gum. The oil breaks down the gum’s polymers.

Step 2: Let It Sit for 10 Minutes

Step 3: Scrub with a Toothbrush

Scrub the gum with an old toothbrush. The oil breaks down the gum and the brush removes it.

Step 4: Wash

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water. The dish soap also helps remove the oil.

Method 5: Freezer (Best for Small Items)

Step 1: Put the Item in the Freezer

Put the clothing item in a plastic bag and place it in the freezer for 1 to 2 hours. The gum becomes hard and brittle.

Step 2: Peel Off the Gum

Once the gum is hard, peel it off with your fingers or scrape it with a dull edge.

Step 3: Wash

Wash with Tide Free and Gentle in warm water.

For Stubborn Gum Residue

Use OxiClean

After removing the bulk of the gum, spray with OxiClean Max Force Spray to remove any remaining residue. Let it sit for 10 minutes and wash.

Use Rubbing Alcohol

Apply rubbing alcohol to the gum residue with a cotton ball. The alcohol breaks down the gum’s polymers. Let it sit for 5 minutes, scrub with a toothbrush, and wash.

Use Amodex

For gum that leaves a stain, apply Amodex Ink and Stain Remover to the area. Work it in, let it sit for 10 minutes, and wash.

What Not to Do

Don’t pull the gum off while it’s soft. Pulling soft gum stretches it and pushes it deeper into the fibers. Harden it first with ice.

Don’t use hot water first. Hot water softens the gum and makes it harder to remove. Use ice first, then warm water for washing.

Don’t use sharp objects. Knives and scissors can cut the fabric. Use a dull edge like a butter knife or credit card.

Don’t use chlorine bleach. Chlorine bleach won’t remove gum and can damage the fabric. Use the methods above.

Don’t put gum-stained clothes in the dryer before removing the gum. Dryer heat can set any remaining gum residue. Remove all gum first.

Don’t use fabric softener. It can coat the gum residue and make it harder to remove.

FAQ

How do you take off chewing gum from clothes? Freeze the gum with ice for 15 to 20 minutes, then peel it off with your fingers or scrape it with a dull edge. For stubborn residue, use warm vinegar, dish soap, or rubbing alcohol. Wash with Tide Free and Gentle after removing the gum.

Does ice remove chewing gum from clothes? Yes. Place ice cubes in a plastic bag on the gum for 15 to 20 minutes until the gum is hard and brittle, then peel it off. This is the safest and most effective method for most fabrics.

Does vinegar remove chewing gum from clothes? Yes. Heat white vinegar, apply it to the gum, let it sit for 5 minutes, and scrub with a toothbrush. The vinegar breaks down the gum’s polymers and makes it easier to remove.

Can you use an iron to remove chewing gum from clothes? Yes. Place brown paper over the gum, iron over the paper on medium heat, and the gum transfers to the paper. This works well for thick fabrics but test on a hidden area first.

Can you put gum-stained clothes in the dryer? Don’t put gum-stained clothes in the dryer until all gum is removed. Dryer heat can set any remaining gum residue. Remove all gum first, then wash and dry normally.

References

1. Tide. “How to Remove Gum from Clothes.” tide.com.
2. The Spruce. “Gum Removal Guide.” thespruce.com.
3. Good Housekeeping. “Gum Stain Guide.” goodhousekeeping.com.
4. Consumer Reports. “Stain Removal Guide.” consumerreports.org.