Damn, bubble gum stuck to your pants! Keep calm and use one of the following methods to remove it based on the material you have on hand.
Steps
Method 1 of 15: Liquid Laundry Detergent
Step 1. Cover the affected area with the cleanser
Step 2. Use a toothbrush to distribute the cleaner into the gum
This should react in a way that breaks it down.
Step 3. Gently scrape the gum with a blunt knife
Step 4. Use your fingernails to remove what's left of the gum
Step 5. Put the garment in the washing machine and wash it as you normally would
Method 2 of 15: Iron
Step 1. Place the affected part on some cardboard
Step 2. Set the iron to medium temperature and pass it over the fabric:
the gum should transfer from the fabric to the cardboard.
Step 3. Repeat until completely eliminated
Step 4. Wash the garment
Method 3 of 15: Disinfectant
Step 1. Use skin disinfectant for delicate tissues
Alcohol does not leave stains and does not fade the color of the fabric.
Step 2. Pour some on a sponge or tea towel
Step 3. Rub the sponge on the rubber
Wait a couple of minutes for the alcohol to work.
Step 4. Remove the gum with a putty knife or wood fiber sponge
Step 5. Pour some fabric softener on the affected area and wash the garment with soap and water
Rinse and put it to dry.
Method 4 of 15: Freezer
Step 1. Fold the garment or fabric so that the rubber faces out
Step 2. Put it in a plastic bag
Make sure the gum doesn't stick; if you have difficulty, arrange the part with the gum on top of the envelope.
Step 3. Seal the bag and leave it in the freezer for a few hours
If the part of the garment to which the gum is stuck is at the top of the bag, make sure there is enough space in the freezer so that it does not come into contact with frozen food or the walls of the appliance
Step 4. Remove the bag from the freezer
Open it and extract the contents.
Step 5. Remove the gum as quickly as possible using an old dull knife or a butter knife (to avoid the risk of cutting the fabric)
Don't let the gum thaw; the fact that it is frozen makes cleaning easier.
If the gum thaws, repeat the freezing process or use an ice cube (see the "Tips" section)
Method 5 of 15: Boiling
Step 1. Immerse the affected area in boiling water
Step 2. Scrape the gum with an old toothbrush, knife or putty knife
Step 3. Rub the fabric while the cloth is immersed in boiling water
Step 4. Put the garment to dry and repeat the scraping if necessary
Step 5. Alternatively, you can also use a kettle
After boiling the water, bring the affected area close to the inlet of the appliance so that the steam hits the rubber directly. Let it sit for a minute and scrape with an old toothbrush in one direction.
Method 6 of 15: Label Removal Spray
Step 1. Spray the product on the affected area
Step 2. Let it sit for a minute
Step 3. Scrape off the rubber with a brass sponge
You should be able to eliminate it without too much effort.
Step 4. Add soap to the area and rinse off the spray
If you are unfamiliar with the effects of the label remover on fabric, do a test on a cloth first.
Method 7 of 15: Peanut Butter
Step 1. Spread the peanut butter all over the gum
Aim to cover as much rubber as possible.
Remember that peanut butter will likely leave a stain on the fabric (it is a very oily substance). If this happens, use a liquid stain remover before washing.
Step 2. Gently scrape the gum with a blunt knife
Expose as much gum as possible to the peanut butter, which adheres to the gum so that the gum no longer adheres to the fabric.
Step 3. Wait for the gum to soften and come off
Step 4. Scrape it off the dress
Apply a stain remover to the area and wash the garment as you normally would.
Method 8 of 15: Vinegar
Step 1. Heat a cup of vinegar in the microwave or small saucepan
Remove it just before it reaches boiling point.
Step 2. Dip an old toothbrush in hot vinegar and quickly scrub the gum:
if it cools it is less effective.
Step 3. Continue the process until the gum is gone
Heat the vinegar if you need it.
Step 4. Wash the garment to remove the vinegar odor
Method 9 of 15: Stain remover
Step 1. Use a stain remover that can remove stubborn stains
You can find all kinds of them in any supermarket and even online
Step 2. Spray some on a hidden area to make sure it doesn't bleed
Alternatively, you can do the test on another cloth.
Step 3. Sprinkle some on the gum and scrape off immediately with a butter knife
Step 4. Rub the residue with a paper towel
For complete removal, another splash of stain remover may be required.
Step 5. Leave the garment outside and wait for the stain remover to evaporate completely
Method 10 of 15: Hairspray
Step 1. Spray some hairspray directly onto the gum
This should cause the rubber to harden.
Step 2. Scrape immediately
The gum should break easily.
Step 3. Continue until complete elimination and then wash the dress as you normally would
Method 11 of 15: Masking tape
Step 1. Cut a strip of masking tape
Step 2. Press it onto the gum and, if possible, cover the affected surface
Make sure it doesn't stick to the fabric, or removing it will be more difficult.
Step 3. Remove the area covered by the masking tape manually
Step 4. Repeat until the rubber is completely removed
Method 12 of 15: Ethanol, Isobutane, Glycol or Acetate based products
Step 1. Remove as much gum as possible
Step 2. Purchase an ethanol, isobutane, glycol, or acetate product
You can also find this type of product in the supermarket.
These chemicals accelerate the release of the rubber
Step 3. Scrape the gum with a blunt knife
One with a good blade would work best, but could cut the fabric.
Step 4. Wash as usual
Method 13 of 15: Gasoline or Lighter Fluid
Step 1. Pour petrol on the affected area:
will dissolve the gum. Gasoline is flammable; use as little as possible.
Step 2. Remove the gum with a knife, old toothbrush or putty knife
Step 3. Wash the dress to remove the odor and color caused by the process
Step 4. If you don't have gasoline on hand, use the liquid to refill the lighters
Wet the affected area.
- Scrape the gum.
- Use a little more to finish the job and then wash the garment.
Method 14 of 15: Orange Essential Oil
Step 1. Use a commercial product that is made from the peel of the fruit
Step 2. Apply a small amount to a sponge or cloth
Step 3. Wipe the dress to remove the gum
If necessary, also use a dull knife or spatula.
Step 4. Wash it as usual
Method 15 of 15: WD-40
Step 1. Spray some on the affected area
Step 2. Scrub the rubber with a sponge or brush
Step 3. Wash the garment as you normally would
Step 4. Finished
Everything clean.
Advice
- Try rubbing an ice cube on the gum to freeze it only if the piece of gum is tiny. To prevent the fabric from getting wet from melting ice, place a square of cling film between the cube and the fabric. Once the gum has completely frozen, scrape it quickly with a butter knife.
- If none of this works, rely on a good laundry, which will remove the rubber with a special solvent, without staining or damaging the fabric. It won't be cheap, but you will save the dress.
Warnings
- Scrubbing with a toothbrush or dull knife or subjecting the fabric to heat could ruin the garment.
- Gasoline is carcinogenic. Avoid contact with the skin and do not inhale it.
- Vinegar, peanut butter, and other substances that are not intended to remove gum residue can damage the fabric.
- Do not use flammable liquid products near heat sources, sparks or electrical connections.
