Oh look, there's gum stuck to the carpet. Or the bottom of your shoe. Or your child's hair. Don't fret—there are some tried-and-true ways to get gum out of things, beyond just peanut butter. Try these 10 terrific tricks.
The 10 Best Ways to Get Gum Out of Things
Updated on Feb. 24, 2023
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Freeze It
Did your child get their bubble gum stuck on their clothing? Just place the item of clothing in the freezer and leave it there for about two hours. Remove the item and you should be able to peel the frozen gum right off. Did you know gum containers are great for workshop storage?
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WD-40
Next time you find gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe, or you’re wondering the best way to get gum out of hair or how to get get gum out of carpet grab some WD-40. Just spray the it, let it sit for a couple minutes and then wipe it clean.
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Mayonnaise
Oil can help remove gum. Just rub it on the gum and it should be pretty easy to peel off. Just note that the oil in mayo can leave a stain, depending on the surface or fabric. Learn how to remove oil stains from concrete.
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Lemon Juice
Try this lemon juice cleaning trick: If you get gum on your clothing, soak it in some lemon juice and then scrape it off with a butter knife. Wash the clothing on a normal cycle.
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Vinegar
Vinegar also works for as a way to get gum out of carpet. Soak the item in vinegar and then brush the it off gently. Also, use vinegar to clean rusty tools.
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Hairspray
If you have hairspray on hand, spray some directly on the gum and wait for it to dry and harden. You should be able to scrape it right off and it’s one way to of how to get gum out of carpet.
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Photo: Courtesy of Aqua Net
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Toothpaste
Toothpaste will not only clean your teeth, it can help you remove gum. Toothpaste works by breaking down the gum’s stickiness. You’ll be able to easily scrape it off after the toothpaste does its job. Here are 50 things you never knew you could do with toothpaste, like clean your shoes to make them look brand new.
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Ice
If you find gum stuck on your carpet or on your couch, grab an ice cube or two or an ice pack and hold it on the gum for a few minutes until it hardens, then scrape away the gum. Get tough stains out of carpet with these tricks.
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Hair Dryer
Soften it with a hair dryer. Just apply some heat to the gum and then use a rag or plastic bag to pull away. Use caution with heat on carpets or rugs, as heat may harm some fibers.
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Oh, Yeah—Peanut Butter!
Peanut butter is a hero when it comes to removing gum. You usually have it on hand, it’s not expensive and it doesn’t smell bad, either. Spread some peanut butter on the offending glob and let it sit for a few minutes. The gum will soften up and be much easier to remove. This works especially well for gum stuck in hair. These 11 peanut butter life hacks are must-reads.
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