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Removing chewing gum from clothes is difficult, but freezing the garment and rubber, using warm vinegar, WD-40®, or nail polish remover can help. Ironing with brown paper can also work.
One of the toughest laundry situations is finding a safe and effective way to remove chewing gum from clothes, especially when the gum has had an opportunity to dry and harden. The ideal time to remove it is right after the fact, but this isn’t always possible or practical. Scraping off as much rubber as possible while it’s still soft is always a good idea, but removing the remnants can prove difficult.
One way to remove rubber from clothing is to freeze both the garment and the rubber. A small item, such as a sock or shirt, can be placed in a plastic freezer or storage bag and stored in a freezer until the rubber has solidified. Larger items can be rubbed with an ice cube or small plastic bag filled with ice until the rubber hardens. Ideally, frozen rubber should crack when scraped with a knife or fingernail. If the rubber becomes warm and soft, the clothing should be placed back in the freezer or another ice cube applied.
Another recommended method to remove chewing gum is the use of warm vinegar. Using an absorbent cloth, warm white vinegar should be applied directly to the rubber and surrounding area. The vinegar should penetrate the fibers of the clothing and dissolve the bond between the chewing gum and the fabric. The rubber should become soft enough that it can be removed with a gentle scrape. An exceptionally large piece of rubber may require several applications of vinegar and the garment should be washed as soon as possible after treatment.
Other chemicals can also help remove the gum, although results may vary and great care must be taken not to damage the affected tissue. The all-purpose household lubricant and solvent known as WD-40® can be sprayed directly onto the rubber stain and allowed to soak in for a few minutes to soften the rubber. Again, removing all of the gum remnants may require several applications of solvent and diligent scraping, followed by an immediate wash.
Non-acetone nail polish remover is also believed to help get gum out of clothes. The chemicals in nail polish remover can break down the structure of the rubber, making it easier to remove with a small brush or knife.
If these methods fail to remove the gum from your clothes, you may need a more aggressive approach. If the garment is safe for ironing, place it on an ironing board and set a standard iron to a hot setting with no steam. Place a section of brown paper on the gummed area and press the paper down with the iron. The heat should soften the rubber and some of the rubber will stick to the brown paper. A clean section of brown paper should be placed over the rubber periodically, making sure the rubberized sections do not contact other areas of the garment.
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