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Get gum out of fabric easily with these simple home remedies
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Yuck, you've got gum all over your clothes! You've picked off as much as you can, but that dreaded gum is still there. Thankfully, there are numerous tricks and techniques you can try to remove gum from clothing using materials you’ve likely already got around the house! Keep reading for our guide to getting gum off of clothes using everyday household cleaners.

2

Liquid laundry soap

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Gum from Clothes
    Cover the area affected by gum in liquid laundry soap. Use a toothbrush to work the laundry soap into the gum; the soap will break up the gum, making it easier to scrape off. After scrubbing for a minute or so, use a blunt knife to gently scrape away at the gum.[1]
    • After you've removed the gum, rinse the remaining laundry soap away, or wash the article of clothing as normally.
  1. Fold the garment or fabric so that the gum faces outwards, then place the garment into a plastic bag. Making sure the gum doesn’t stick to the bag, seal the bag and place it into the freezer until the gum is frozen (about 2 hours). Remove the bag, and scrape the frozen gum off with an old, dull knife or a butter knife.[3]
    • Be sure to scrape the gum away as soon as you can after you remove it. Once it thaws out, it’ll be hard to remove again.
    • The bag is primarily to protect your clothes, so if you can’t seal the bag without the gum sticking to the plastic, place the garment on top of the bag instead. Just make sure there's enough room in the freezer so that the clothing isn't touching anything in there except the plastic bag it's sitting on.
5

Ice cubes

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Gum from Clothes
    If you don't want to put your clothes in the freezer, just bring the freezer to your clothes. Lay the article of clothing out on a flat surface like your kitchen table, with the gum side facing up. Fill a sandwich bag with ice cubes and set it on top of the gum stain, or use a freezer pack. After 20 minutes, the gum will be frozen and much easier to scrape off with a dull blade or credit card.[4]
    • If there are still small specks of gum residue left on the fabric, apply a dry-cleaning solvent to the spots to pick them up.
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7

Hot white vinegar

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Gum from Clothes
    Heat 1  c (240 mL) of white vinegar in the microwave or on the stove. Bring it to just below a boil. Then, while the vinegar is still hot, dip a clean toothbrush into the cup and use it to scrub the gum. Continue dipping and rubbing until the gum is gone, and then wash the clothes to remove the vinegar.[7]
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8

Rubbing alcohol

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Gum from Clothes
    Take a rag or sponge and pour on only a little rubbing alcohol. Then rub the gum with the sponge and wait a couple minutes for alcohol to loosen the gum. At this point, take a wooden spoon or spatula and scrape the gum off.[8]
9

Toothpaste

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11

Peanut butter

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Gum from Clothes
    Peanut butter may sound like a counterintuitive suggestion, but it works. Cover the affected area of the fabric with creamy peanut butter, and the fats and oils will work to make the gum less sticky. After a couple of minutes, scrape the peanut butter and the gum off with a dull blade or a credit card.[11]
    • Be careful applying peanut butter to clothing, as it could stain. Consider testing the peanut butter on a discreet area of the fabric to see if it stains prior to using it on the gum.
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12

Duct tape

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Gum from Clothes
    Cut a strip of duct tape off of its roll and press it firmly onto the gum, being sure to cover the entire piece of gum. Then pull the tape off to peel the gum off as well. You may need to repeat this a few times if the gum is particularly stuck.[12]
    • Try not to stick the tape to the fabric, or getting it off will be more difficult.
13

Benzocaine topical cream

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14

Gasoline

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  1. Watermark wikiHow to Remove Gum from Clothes
    Dab a small amount of gasoline onto the gum—enough to cover it. The gas will dissolve the gum. Then, with a knife, toothbrush, or putty knife, wipe away any excess gum still left over. Wash the clothing according to its normal laundering instructions to remove any odor or color left over from the gas dissolution.[14]
    • Use as little gasoline as will work, since it's flammable, as well as a known carcinogen and is proven to cause cancer in laboratory animals. Avoid contact with skin and inhalation of fumes.
    • Do not use flammable cleaning fluids near heat, sparks (including "static"), or any exposed electrical connection.
    • If you don't have any gas, use lighter fluid. Soak the back of the area where gum is stuck in old-fashioned lighter fluid—the kind that comes in a can used to fill old cigarette lighters. Turn the item back over and scrape away the gum.

Join the Discussion...

WikiFawnSeeker757
28
I’m going to keep it short. My child loves gum. My child is not good at disposing of gum. I’ve got gum in my shirt and jeans for what feels l... Read More
WikiCaveRider633
You didn’t actually mention if the gum is wet or not, but I’m assuming it’s dried if you’re just discovering it. Anyway, there’s a simp... Read More
WikiDesertWatcher959
What has worked for me in the past is pouring a generous amount of detergent on the gum, letting it soak for a few minutes, and then pouring salt... Read More

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  • Question
    What method is best if the gum is really embedded and has been for a long time?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    In my experience, soaking the clothes in a sink full of equal parts vinegar and warm water will work best for gum that's been embedded for a long time.
  • Question
    Do the above remedies work on fabric that has been washed and dried with the gum on the fabric?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    The Goo Be Gone and hot vinegar work great. It just takes elbow grease and a stiff toothbrush.
  • Question
    For the ironing method, do I have to use cardboard, or can it be something else?
    Community Answer
    Community Answer
    You could also use parchment paper or something similar. Just be sure not to burn it.
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  • If all else fails, or if you don't want to risk damaging a delicate or expensive piece of clothing, take it to a reputable cleaner who can apply special solvents that will not stain or damage the fabric. It will cost you, but it's your best chance at saving a valued garment.
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About This Article

Rani Gorgis
Co-authored by:
Laundry & Cleaning Specialist
This article was co-authored by Rani Gorgis and by wikiHow staff writer, Dev Murphy, MA. Rani Gorgis is a Laundry and Cleaning Specialist and the Owner of Park Blvd Laundry & Dry Cleaners in San Diego, California. With several years of experience in the laundry and cleaning industry, Rani specializes in dry cleaning, wash-n-fold, shirt laundry, and servicing smoke-damaged clothes. He holds a BS in Accounting and a CPA certification. This article has been viewed 4,920,616 times.
6 votes - 100%
Co-authors: 103
Updated: June 24, 2024
Views: 4,920,616
Article SummaryX

If you’ve gotten gum on your clothes, the good news is that there are lots of ways to get it out. One easy method is to cover the gum with liquid laundry detergent. Work the detergent into the gum with your fingers, a rag, or a soft-bristled brush. This will soften and break down the gum. Use a blunt knife to scrape it away. Put your garment in the washing machine and launder it as you usually would. For more delicate fabrics, try rubbing alcohol instead of detergent. You can also soften gum with steam or boiling water, or freeze the garment so the gum becomes hard and brittle. This will make it easier to scrape off with a blunt knife. If you want to learn more, such as how to use peanut butter or hairspray to remove gum, keep reading!

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