How to get gum out of carpet

If you’ve accidentally dropped gum on the floor and then spent agonizing minutes trying to pry it out of your carpet, only to be caught by your parent’s exasperated gaze, this article is for you. We’ll provide a few ways to get gum out of your carpets so that you can avoid future stressors.

1. Spray a generous amount of WD-40 on the chewing gum stain.
2. Allow 5 or 10 minutes to pass.
3. Wipe the gum with a rag or a small scrub brush in one direction.
4. Add more WD-40 as needed to remove any remaining gum from the carpet.

Even if you don’t chew gum, a wad on the concrete sidewalk outside might get onto the bottoms of your shoes. The gooey guest follows you home and becomes a permanent resident on your carpet.

While removing gum from your carpet may be faster by hand, this approach can damage delicate fibers. Try these tips (but test them on an inconspicuous area first) for getting gum out of your carpet:

Removing Gum via The Ice Cube Method

Give gum wads a chilly shoulder to prevent things from getting even stickier. Ice cubes are the answer to removing stuck-in gum wads. This is why having ice on hand is advantageous. After that, fill in the blanks with the following instructions:

• For easy gum removal, try this hack: place a few ice cubes in a Ziplock bag. Then, apply the ice directly to the gum for one minute or longer. The freezing temperature will make the gum stiff and lifts it right off!
• Remove the gum from the carpet using your fingers, a scraping tool, or a butter knife, gently picking at and pulling it away.
• To remove chewing gum from your carpet, start lifting along the edges and moving toward the center of the wad. Be careful not to remove any of the carpet fibers and gum! (If you master this technique, use it on upholstery messes and gum-covered clothes!)
• When the gum is completely out of sight, most of it should be out of mind, but if stubborn debris persists, use a few drops of a rub containing methyl salicylate to pick it out (such as the pain-relieving cream Bengay).
• Sc scrubs any discoloration or stains left in the gum’s path away with a mild carpet-cleaning detergent.
• Rinsing the region with warm water will send your gummy experience packing!

The WD-40 Method to Remove Chewing Gum

WD-40 and Windex are also popular in the home for removing stuck gum from carpets and rugs. Gum is hydrophobic, which means it can’t be washed away with water. To break it down, use another hydrophobic material like WD-40 to dissolve it. (The icing technique should take less time than the WD-40 method since you won’t have to wait for the gum to thaw.) Here’s how to proceed:

• Spray a generous amount of WD-40 on the chewing gum stain. Point the spray straw as near to the gum’s underside as possible. You might need to massage the carpet fibers with your hands to get enough WD-40 into them.
• Wait 5 or 10 minutes.
• Wipe or lightly scour the gum in one direction with a rag or tiny scrub brush.
• To remove any remaining gum from the carpet, add more WD-40 if necessary. Then, continue wiping in the same direction.

The Vinegar Method

White vinegar is a versatile household cleaner that removes gum from carpets. Here’s how to get chewing gum out of your carpet with natural, do-everything vinegar:

• In the microwave, warm a quarter cup of white vinegar.
• Wipe the vinegar on your gums using a clean white cloth or Towel.
• Scrape as much gum as possible with a putty knife, dull knife, or spoon edge.

Use a toothbrush that has been used previously to clean the remaining gum. (The gum remnants will clog up the toothbrush entirely, so you’ll want to dispose of it after using it for this operation.)

Carpet Cleaning Solution for Old or Hardened Chewing Gum Stains

If a carpet is severely stained with old or hardened gum, a dry cleaning or gel-based solvent such as paint, oil, and grease remover may be required.

Materials needed:

• -Butter knife or plastic spoon
• -Dry cleaning or gel-based solvent (mineral spirits, Goo Gone, etc.)

Here’s what to do:

1. Test the cleaner or solvent on an inconspicuous carpet spot to check for any damage or discoloration.
2. The solvent is applied to chewing gum.
3. Allow the area to sit for around 10 minutes.
4. Next, use a plastic spoon or blunt butter knife to scrape off the gum (be careful not to press too hard and damage the carpet fibers).

Use a Hair Dryer to Soften the Gum

The heat from your hair dryer will soften the chewing gum, making it simpler to lift out of your carpet fibers. Continue slowly to avoid damaging the carpet fibers, and repeat the blotting/lifting process until the gum is removed.

Materials needed:

• Hair dryer
• Plastic bag or Cleaning rag

Here’s what to do once you’ve gathered those items:

1. To soften the gum, carefully apply heat from the hair dryer.
2. Blot any excess gum with a clean cloth or a plastic bag; it should stick and then release from the carpet fibers.
3. Remove the chewing gum from the floor gradually.
4. If the gum begins to harden, reapply the heat.

Use extreme caution when using the hot method of gum removal. High heat can melt the fibers if the carpet is wool or a synthetic material. Watch for any melting while using the hair dryer. If in doubt, test on a small section of carpet in a hidden area.

Removing Gum with Oils

Test a small, hidden carpet area before using any oils to remove gum. Some oils may discolor or bleach fabrics. Apply a small amount of oil discreetly and inspect for discoloration. Oil reduces gum’s stickiness, releasing it from the carpet fibers. Try one of these oils to get the gum off your carpets:

• Eucalyptus Oil
• Peanut Butter
• Olive Oil
• NOTE: Clean the carpets to remove the oils after the gum is gone.

Apply oil to the gum with a cloth. This will ensure you control where the oil goes and don’t pour it directly on the gum. Next, saturate the gum wad with oil by repeatedly using oil with the cleaning cloth.

Use a butter knife to scrape the gum off in one direction gently. Be sure to clean the blade after each pass variable text so you don’t reapply gum to your carpet. If you rub back and forth, it might damage the fibers of your carpeting and cause more problems for your flooring overall.

Wipe the area down with dish soap and water. The cleaning procedure might leave behind some oils from the gum removal. Mix one teaspoon of grease-fighting dish soap with a quart of water to make a soapy solution, and scrub the carpet with a cloth soaked.

Using Other Solvents to Remove Gum

Use a cleaning cloth to wipe down the gum wad with an abrasive dry-cleaning solvent, citrus-based degreaser, or mineral spirits. These solvents will aid in the breakdown of gum polymers, making them less sticky and easier to remove from the carpet. Next, apply the solvent directly to the gum wad using a cleaning cloth. A muscle rub product containing methyl salicylate can also be used as a solvent.

To safeguard your carpet from staining, test a tiny quantity of solvent on an obscure sector to ensure you don’t get any gum stains.

Allow the solvent time to soak into the gum. Then, depending on the hardness of the gum, wait 5-10 minutes before trying to remove it. The solvents will seep into the gum polymers and weaken them, causing the gum to come off the carpeting.

To remove gum from your carpet, use a butter knife. Scrape in one direction only to avoid causing any damage.

Make a 1:4 ratio solution of mild detergent and lukewarm water to sponge the area. Finish by cleaning away the soap with more soap and water, then Towel dry.

How to remove gum from carpet in 6 steps

Suppose you’ve tried to remove gum from a carpet or rug and failed. Forget about it. This technique works for mats made of hemp, jute, wool, natural, synthetic, and mixed fibers.

Remember that the sooner you remove the gum, the easier it is. Are you ready to get started? Do the following steps to remove gum from the carpet without feeling frustrated.

Step 1: Prepare the area.

Obtain a tiny piece of cardboard and cut a small hole in the shape of the gum. A spiral notebook, for example, would make an excellent choice. This cardboard shield protects the carpet around it as you remove the gum. Next, cover the area with cardboard.

Step 2: Freeze the gum.

Rub a plastic bag containing an ice cube over the gum. The melting ice prevents the entire area from getting wet. Continue to massage the glaze over the gum until it is hardened. Because this method causes the molecules to contract and relax their connection with the carpet, frozen gum is easier to remove. Instead of ice, you may use Zenex ZenaFreeze, a commercial aerosol product that sprays on the gum.

Step 3: Scrape the gum.

Remove the gum from the freezer as soon as it is firm enough with a sharp knife, spatula, or silicone kitchen scraper. If there are still stubborn pieces or a stain, go on to the next steps.

Step 4: Clean the remaining residue.

Use a sponge to carefully apply lacquer thinner, such as Klean-Strip Green, to the remaining pieces of gum. Follow any safety measures on the label if you’re using combustible lacquer thinners that produce toxic vapors. Goo Gone or De-Solv-It may also be used for citrus-based adhesive removers. Blot or scrape the final traces of gum until they’re gone carefully.

Step 5: Remove the stain.

If there’s still a gum stain even after you remove all the gum, mix one mineral oil with eight parts liquid dry-cleaning solvent (such as Forcefield). Apply it to the color, press down firmly with a sponge, and remove the cardboard. Blot until the paint lifts from the carpet without rubbing; otherwise, you might worsen the stain.

Step 6: Rinse and dry the area.

Finally, use a little water to rinse the area and blot away any remaining moisture until it’s dry.

What to Do When the Gum Doesn’t Budge

While the above procedures might help remove gum stains on flooring, there may be persistent areas or discoloration. Furthermore, some carpets are delicate and may not respond well to scrubbing and scraping.

You can prevent your carpet from quickly deteriorating and needing replacement by using gentle cleaning protocols and avoiding harsh chemicals. “I would start with a very small amount and begin working in the area where the gum is located,” says Asya Biddle, Angi Expert Review Board member and manager of The Dust Busters janitorial company in Williamsport, PA.

Cost to DIY Gum Removal vs. Hiring a Professional Carpet Cleaner

If you want to remove gum from your clothes without spending money, consider using materials you already have at home.

If you’re not sure what your carpet can handle, renting the equipment might be more expensive in the long run. Professionally cleaning your carpets will cost between $120 and $230, depending on the volume and type of carpeting.

Although it may be more expensive, this will help with stains and bacteria and make your home healthier overall. Contact some in your area to learn more about what professional carpet cleaners can do for you.

FAQs About How to Get Gum Out of Carpet

How do you get old black gum out of the carpet?

Fill a plastic bag with ice and seal it tightly. Allow the glaze to rest on the gum until it is hard and brittle. Remove frozen gum remnants using a putty knife or a butter knife.

How do you get gum out of a wool carpet?

You may also use the freezing technique for frozen gum in wool rugs. Freeze the gum and scrape it off with a sharp edge without worrying about whether a solvent will harm the wool.

How do you get chewy sweets out of the carpet?

First, blot the candy with a rag moistened with cold water. This will help to break apart the sticky bond. After removing large chunks of sweet, apply a stain remover or carpet cleaning solution as needed. Be sure to wait a few minutes before carefully blotting the area with the chosen cleaner. If there is still evidence of the stain, use a white vinegar solution by dampening a clean cloth and lightly pressing it into the affected areas.

How do you get the hard stuff out of the carpet?

The removal method for your candle wax stain depends on the materials involved. If you know the offending substance is only wax, try the ice technique listed above or use a warm iron. First, cover the area with a damp white cloth to remove melted wax using an iron. Next, turn your clothes iron to low heat and press onto the fabric until it absorbs all the wax residues. Repeat these steps as necessary, replacing sections of the material as they fill up with removed wax.

Does rubbing alcohol remove gum from the carpet?

Yes, rubbing alcohol—also known as isopropyl alcohol—can assist you in removing gum from carpeting if it has hardened. It works by dissolving the polymers in the gum and does not harm dyes or textiles like other cleaning procedures. Follow these steps to use it:

1. First, soak the gum in alcohol for 5 to 10 minutes.
2. The alcohol will soften the gum and make it easier to remove.
3. Then, use your fingers to try and pull the gum away.

What dissolves chewing gum?

Use Vinegar and Lemon Juice

White vinegar or lemon juice may dissolve gum from carpets or furniture.

To dissolve chewing gum, you’ll need a slightly acidic cleaning solution. Lemon juice, vinegar, and rubbing alcohol (a weak acid) are effective. Remember that lemon juice may color items when used with certain dyes. Compared to lemon juice, vinegar and rubbing alcohol are generally more color safe.

Will Goo Gone remove gum from the carpet?

Always be prepared with Goo Gone Clean-Up Wipes. Then, you’ll never have to worry about chewing gum stuck on the carpet again. Whether the gum is fresh or has been there for a while, our wipes will pull it quickly and easily without damaging the rug.

What gets gum out of fabric?

Using a toothbrush to massage liquid laundry or dish soap directly into the gums is an effective technique. The gum’s fibers should be broken up, allowing you to scrape off the wad easily. If necessary, wash the item as usual and apply stain remover.