How to Remove Gum from Carpet

Co-authored by Haim Shemesh

Last Updated: June 29, 2021 Approved

Many people enjoy chewing gum as flavorful treat to exercise the jaw, eliminate boredom, and even help quit smoking. Unfortunately, gum sometimes ends up where it's not supposed to be, like your carpet. If you discover a sticky situation hiding in your carpet, there are ways to remove the gum and prevent the stain from becoming a permanent fixture.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Freezing the Gum Off

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Freeze the gum with ice.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Interview. 12 May 2020.} Place several ice cubes in a resealable plastic bag and lay it on top of the gum wad. Alternatively, spraying the gum at close range with compressed air from a computer duster, or placing a piece of dry ice on the gum can also freeze it quickly.
- Freezing gum is most successful when the gum has just gotten into the carpet and is not ground deeply into the carpet fibers.
- Be sure the gum is frozen solid and not just cold before moving on to the next steps.
Gently lift the gum up off of the carpet fibers with a scraping motion. Allow it to crack and break into fragments and remove as much as possible. Rub ice over stubborn areas that won't lift off and repeat as necessary.

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Clean the spot to remove any remaining residues. Dip a rag into a soapy solution containing a small amount of white vinegar and gently rub the spot where the gum was to finish the cleaning process^{[2]
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Research source}. Blot dry with a thick towel and don't walk on the area until it is completely dry.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Removing Gum with Oils

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Test an inconspicuous area of the carpet before using any oils to remove gum. Some oils may discolor or bleach fabrics. Ensure that you aren't going to make a bigger stain by applying a small amount of oil in a hidden location and inspect for any discoloration. Oil reduces the stickiness of gum which will allow it to release from the carpet fibers. Try one of these oils to get the gum off your carpets^{[3]
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- Eucalyptus Oil^{[4]
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- Olive Oil
- Peanut Butter
- NOTE: You will need to thoroughly clean the oils out of the carpets after the gum is removed.
Do not pour the oil directly on the gum; it is much easier to control where you are applying the oil when it is placed on a cleaning cloth first. Saturate the gum wad with oil by repeatedly applying oil with the cleaning cloth.
Gently lift the gum off the carpet by scraping a knife over the gum in the same direction each time. Wipe the gum off the knife blade after each pass to avoid re-applying the gum to the carpet. Rubbing back and forth may damage the carpet fibers and cause more damage to your flooring.
Once the gum has been removed there may be some residual oils left from the cleaning process. Mix a teaspoon of a grease fighting dish soap with a quart of water and scrub the carpet with a cloth dipped in the soapy solution.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using Other Solvents to Remove Gum

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Apply Dry-Cleaning Solvent^{[5]
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Research source}, Citrus Based Degreaser, or Mineral Spirits^{[6]
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Research source} to the gum. These solvents will help dissolve the gum polymers making them less sticky and easier to remove from the carpet. Use a cleaning cloth to directly apply the solvent to the gum wad. A muscle rub product containing methyl salicylate can also be used as a solvent.
- Always test a small amount of solvent on a hidden area of your carpet to ensure that no staining will result from using the solvent to remove gum.
Wait 5 to 10 minutes, depending on the hardness of the gum, before attempting to remove the gum. During this time the solvents will work their way into the gum polymers and loosen the structures thereby releasing the gum from the carpet.
Use a scraping motion in the same direction with each pass to avoid damaging the carpet fibers.
Finish the cleaning process by removing any traces of the solvents with soap and water. Blot dry with a towel, and enjoy your gum free carpets.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do you get old black gum out of carpet?

Haim Shemesh
Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist
Haim Shemesh is a Carpet and Rug Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration, a business based in New York City. Haim specializes in Oriental, Persian, handmade, and antique rug cleaning and repair. He also conducts rug restoration along with fire damage care. He has over 17 years of experience in the carpet cleaning industry. Sunlight Fine Rug Care & Restoration has been awarded Angie's List Super Service Award in 2017 and 2018. Their clients include Staples, Ace Hotel, Momofuku, Banana Republic, and more.

Haim Shemesh

Carpet & Rug Cleaning Specialist

Expert Answer

If the above methods don't work, you can always call a professional carpet cleaner. They'll use a water extraction process that almost always removes gum from carpet.

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Question

This gum has dried on the carpet, is there any way to get it off?

Community Answer

Place a few handfuls of ice in a Ziploc bag. Put the bag of ice directly onto the gum stain. Use a scraping tool to fully scrape the gum from the carpet. Sponge the gum stain directly with cleaning fluid, such as 409.

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Question

My throw rug is a bit deeper than these shown. How can I get it out?

Community Answer

Rub an ice cube on the gum for about 3 or 4 minutes. The gum will freeze and become brittle and you should be able to scrape it off easily.

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Tips

Use freezing to remove large pieces of fresh gum, and try oils and solvents for ground in or older gum stains.

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Lemon juice can help remove any remaining stickiness after the gum is extracted from the carpet.

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Warnings

Never rub a carpet when cleaning it; this destroys the fibers and flattens the carpet. It also risks pushing the stain in more deeply, making it permanent.

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Always test oils and solvents in an inconspicuous location of your carpets to ensure that you don't create a bigger stain problem trying to remove the gum.

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