Let us talk about gum’s ability to stick just about anything. You do not even need to be a chewer to have an encounter. Once in a while, it will find its way to one of your favorite things or places. If this happens to be your carpet, below are well-structured step by step recommendations of how to get it out. You can also check out our article on getting playdough out of carpet.
Apply a Ready-to-Use Remover (Most Effective Remedy)
It does not matter whether you want to get gum out of carpet or any other type of fabric. A high quality ready-to-use product deals with the mess instantly and leaves no residue. Most of these products come with detailed instructions but below are the general steps to follow.
Materials and Supplies
- Ready-to-use remover
- Scrapping tool such as blunt knife or spoon
- Clean white cloth or paper towel
Instructions
Step 1: Apply the remover (we recommend 3M Gum or WD-40 multipurpose spray if you have no product in mind) on the gum and let it sit for some time.
Step 2: Use a blunt scrapping tool to scrap of the gum gently.
Step 3: Repeat the procedure until all the gum is completely removed. Sometimes chewing gum might take longer to come out depending on how deep it is rooted into the carpet’s fabric or depending on how long it has stayed on the carpet’s surface.
Step 4: Apply the remover one last time to remove any traces of residue
Step 5: Blot the surface with a clean cloth or paper towel
How to Remove Gum from Carpet through Freezing
Freezing is one of the easiest methods because it does not require any special skills or equipment.
Materials and Supplies
- Ice/freezing spray
- Plastic or zip lock bag
- Scrapping tool
- Vacuum cleaner
- Distilled white vinegar
- Water
- A clean white cloth
- Soapy water
Instructions
Step 1: Begin by adding a few pieces of ice cubes into a plastic or zip lock bag.
Step 2: Place the ice-filled bag on top of the gum and allow freezing action to make it brittle
Step 3: Use a blunt scrapping tool to chip or scrap it off. Be gentle to ensure that you do not damage your carpet.
Step 4: Use a vacuum cleaner to collect the chips before they begin to soften again.
Step 5: Prepare vinegar solution to get rid of the residue. Mix white vinegar with 4 parts of water and shake thoroughly. Add more water to the liquid if your carpet is made of sensitive material.
Step 6: Apply the solution to the residue with a clean white cloth and let it sit for a few minutes.
Step 7: Clean with a cloth dipped in soapy water and let the carpet dry on its own.
Steps 1 and 2 can be replaced by a freezing spray such as Zenex ZenaFreez. It works by hardening the chewing gum quickly. An easy alternative to step 5 is choosing an appropriate residue solvent and applying it to a white cloth. Use the cloth to blot the stain and follow up by dabbing the area with a cloth dipped in clean soapy water.
How to Get Gum Out of Carpet with Heat
A hair dryer works by heating the gum thereby making the process of removing it much easier. The only concern with this method is that it can be messy and damaging especially if excess heat is applied to sensitive carpet fibers
Materials and Supplies
- A hairdryer
- A piece of rag or plastic bag
- A white cloth
- Soapy water
Instructions
Step 1: Place a dryer over the gum and apply heat
Step 2: Wait until it begins to melt and pull it off with a rag or plastic bag
Step 3: Repeat steps 1 and 2 until all the gum is removed
Step 4: Rub the spot with a white clean cloth dipped in soapy water to clear out any residue and stains.
Other remedies that you can try at home include applying lemon juice solution to the spot, using peanut butter, and applying oil to the spot.
