We’ll show you different methods on how to soften chewing gum for easy cleaning. Chewing gum quickly becomes a cleaning nightmare when it ends up in the wrong places. From hair to carpets to sofas, it’s every parent’s nightmare when this happens, and it will happen. Softening the chewing gum makes it easier to clean and, in some cases, totally disappears.
Understanding Gum’s Stickiness
Chewing gum is super sticky because of its gum base. This base is usually a form of synthetic rubber that’s combined with sweeteners and flavorings to make gum as we know it. This gum base is what makes it chewy and, unfortunately for your sofa, sticky. It is fun in the mouth but not so fun on everyday things unless you’re fixing your glasses.
Methods to Soften Chewing Gum For Easy Cleaning
Here are some common methods to soften chewing gum from heat to cold and more aggressive methods with vinegar. You’ll probably need to try a few of these methods to see which one will work best.
How to Soften Chewing Gum By Freezing It
We think one of the best ways to soften chewing gum is by freezing it. Freezing gum won’t ruin the underlying material it is stuck on. This method is especially useful for gum stuck on clothing, hair, or carpets.
- Ideal For: This method works best for clothes, fabrics, and even hair (or you can just cut it)
- Step-by-Step Guide:
- Place ice cubes in a zip-loc bag or use an ice pack.
- Hold the ice pack on the gum for a good 10 – 20 min. The goal is to harden the gum so it’s easy to break off.
- Once the gum is hard, gently peel it off. You’ll need to scrape it off with something hard. Sometimes, an old credit card will do the trick.
- Why It Works: Freezing gum works because it becomes brittle and loses its stickiness when frozen. When frozen, you can usually scrape it off.
Soften Chewing Gum Using Heat
Another method to soften chewing gum is to use heat. If cold does not work, try heat, right?
- Ideal For: Hard surfaces like tables, floors, or even shoes.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- Apply heat to the gum. You can use a hairdryer to apply warm air to the gum.
- The gum should soften over time as it heats up. I would get soft enough to where you can pull it off of the surface you are cleaning.
- If you are working with fabrics, you can cover the gum with an aluminum foil and iron over it to apply heat.
- Why Heat Works To Soften Chewing Gum: Heat makes the gum more flexible. Heat also reduces how sticky it is, so you can peel it off little by little.
How To Soften Chewing Gum with Oil
Oil-based products like olive oil, cooking spray, or peanut butter are helpful to soften gum for easier removal. It was strange to me, too, until I tried it out!
- Step-by-Step Guide:
- Apply a lot of oil to the gum.
- Let the oil sit for a few minutes on the gum.
- At this point, you should be able to scrape away at the gum slowly.
- Why It Works: Oil works to soften gum by breaking down its stickiness. Once it’s less sticky, you can slowly peel it off your cleaning surface.
How to Soften Chewing Gum Using Vinegar
Vinegar is another great household product that we can use to soften chewing gum.
- Step-by-Step Guide:
- Soak a cloth in white vinegar and press it against the gum.
- Let the fabric sit on the gum for a few minutes to let the vinegar soak in.
- After a few minutes soaked, you can slowly peel away the softened chewing gum.
- Why It Works: Acid! The acid from vinegar magically helps to dissolve the gum and makes it easier to remove and clean.
Last Effort Commercial Gum Removers
If you’ve tried all the methods above, maybe it’s time to bring out the strong stuff. Commercial gum removers might be worth a try when everything else fails.
- Step-by-Step Guide:
- Follow the instructions for the gum remover and apply it to the gum.
- Allow it to act on the gum.
- Remove the gum as directed, usually by wiping or scraping it off.
- Why It Works: These products contain chemicals specifically formulated to target and break down the compounds in gum.
Precautions and Additional Tips
- Test Surfaces First: No matter which method you choose, you should test your area first.
- Be Patient and Gentle: It might be tempting to go hard or go home and scrape off the gum. A lot of these methods take time to soften the chewing gum. Sometimes, it will soften enough so you can slowly pick it off, but it is still a slow process.
The Art of Removing Chewing Gum
There are so many different ways to soften chewing gum for easy cleaning. The process becomes much more manageable by understanding the nature of gum and applying the right softening method. Gum can get stuck in a lot of places, from hair to fabric to the floor. Try different methods. Some work better than others on different surfaces. Good luck!