Chewing Gum Removal

Realizing that you’ve got chewing gum stuck somewhere it doesn’t belong can be a frustrating situation.  This is especially true if the gum is nestled snugly within your child’s hair or there’s a new pink bubble gum polka dot in your white carpeting.

The first step in the chewing gum removal process is not to panic.  Chewing gum finds its way into places it doesn’t belong and you can effectively remove it, regardless of its destination.

There are commercially prepared gum removal solutions that do the job.  They offer the benefit of a one-stop removal process, but they do have drawbacks.  One of those drawbacks is that the chemicals used in these preparations could damage the item you are using it on. 

Instead you might want to try some of Mother Nature’s chewing gum removal tips.  These are both environmentally friendly and in addition most of the ingredients are found right in your own home.



If you discover chewing gum in your carpet, you can place a few ice cubes in a plastic bag.  A small sandwich bag works well for chewing gum removal.  After placing the ice cubed filled bag on the gum, you wait.  The waiting is really the hardest part of the process.  Once the ice has taken hold of the chewing gum and frozen it, you can chip it away.  This method works very well on fabrics as well.

Another approach to taking gum off of clothing is a bit more radical.  Depending on the material you are working with, gasoline works to dissolve the gum.  This can work effectively for heavier fabrics.  You do need to be mindful of the fact that the gasoline is highly flammable, and washing the item immediately after removing the gum is imperative.

Probably the worst place for chewing gum to appear is in someone’s hair.  If it’s your hair it can be a horrifying experience.  But before you get the scissors and give yourself a new hairdo, visit your kitchen.  There are two things in your kitchen that can help you become gum free and neither has a sharp edge.

Peanut butter actually removes gum from hair.  Granted it’s a messy chewing gum removal method but if the choice is between losing your hair or smelly a bit nutty, most people will opt for the latter.  You simply apply a generous amount of peanut butter to the hair that is surrounding the gum, and massage.  This takes time but it does work. 

The same chewing gum removal method works for salad oil.  This is a bit more slippery and requires patience, but it will take the gum out of your hair.  Naturally you’ll want to shampoo your hair several times after using a kitchen method of gum removal. 

Gum can be removed from almost anything it becomes stuck to.  They main key to remember is with a bit of work and patience your hair, your furniture or your clothing will be good as new.