It is really annoying to discover a chewing gum stuck to the car seat! Luckily, there are several ways to get it off and get rid of any sticky residue! Be prepared to try more than one method.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: Freeze the Gum
Step 1. Put some ice in a plastic bag
Place 3-4 cubes in a plastic bag and seal it. If you don't have ice handy, use cooler bags.
- The plastic bag helps contain the water that occurs when the ice melts.
- If you are afraid of water leaking, use an additional bag.
Step 2. Freeze the gum
Place the bag containing the ice directly on top of the gum. Leave it on for 5 minutes or until the rubber becomes stiff and brittle.
- Ice freezes or hardens rubber. When the latter hardens and is no longer sticky, it is easier to remove.
- You can also hold the ice pack against the gum. To prevent your hand from getting cold, place a towel between the bag and the handle.
Step 3. Remove the hardened gum
Use a putty knife or a dull blade to separate the frozen rubber from the fabric covering the car seat. With this tool you should remove all or most of the gum.
- Keep the blade horizontally to avoid creating holes in the fabric.
- Be patient. It may take some time to remove the rubber from the seat. Go slowly so you don't puncture the fabric.
Method 2 of 2: Remove Stubborn Gum and Its Residue
Step 1. Use white vinegar to remove the rubber if the seat is upholstered with fabric or leatherette
Dip a small cloth in the white vinegar after heating it. Rub the vinegar-soaked cloth over the gum. Let the vinegar soak into the gum for a few minutes. It will soften it, making it ball into a ball. Remove the vinegar-saturated rubber ball using your fingers or a pair of tweezers.
- Use this method to detach chewing gum from fabric or leatherette materials, but not real leather.
- To speed up the process, heat the vinegar before applying it to the gum.
Step 2. Brush and wash away the residue
Combine 1 tablespoon of liquid dish soap, 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, and 2 cups of hot water in a medium-sized bowl. Stir until a foamy solution forms. Dip a toothbrush, nail brush, or clean cloth inside and gently scrub over the gummy residue until they are gone. Repeat as needed. Blot the area with a clean, damp cloth until it has absorbed the homemade solution. Air dry or blot with a clean cloth.
Step 3. Remove the rubber pieces with masking tape
Tear off a piece of duct tape and stick it on the gum residue. Tear it off, trying to remove the piece attached to the seat as well. Repeat this if necessary.
- It is a safe method to use on leather seats.
- If there is still some gum left on the seat after you freeze it, use this method to get rid of any residue completely.
Step 4. Clean the area with a degreaser
Remove any gum residue using a degreaser. Spray or apply the product to a clean, damp cloth, which you will use to scrub away the gummy residue. Take another cloth, moisten it with cold water, and wipe any rubber or degreaser off the seat.
Always read the instructions that accompany the degreaser! Before using the product, check if there are any contraindications if it is applied to fabric, leatherette or leather seats
Step 5. Clean the seat
After removing the gum, clean and soften the affected area. Use a product suitable for fabric or leather car seats.
- If the car upholstery is cloth, clean the seats with an upholstery cleaner. It allows you to remove any kind of stain left by chewing gum.
- Protect the leather seats of your car by applying a product suitable for this type of upholstery on the affected area. It will prevent the upholstery from cracking.
