Have you ever gone to a movie theater and found yourself sitting on someone else's chewing gum?Do you have kids with bubble-gum-blowing skills?The sticky gum may only be mashed into the fabric if you peel it off.There are several simple methods for removing chewing gum from cotton.
Step 1: An ice cube sandwich is a good way to eat ice cubes.
It is easier to remove soft chewing gum when it is frozen.Two ice cubes are all you need to start the job.On top of an ice cube lay the gummed up spot of the garment.There is a second ice cube on top of the spot.Wait for the ice to melt.The gum should be hardened by this time.
Step 2: Place it in the freezer.
If you have time to wait, you can put the garment, gum and all into the freezer.It's better to give it at least one hour.The garment should be placed in a zip-close bag with the gum stain facing out.It is possible to skip using the bag, but it will help prevent the cotton from sticking to the freezer's surface.
Step 3: Get something to eat or drink.
Remove the gum from the cotton.The last thing you want to do is damage the garment you are trying to save.An excellent frozen gum scraper can be found on the back of a metal or plastic butter knife.The blade should be between the gum and fabric.The final cleaning will be easier if you take your time.Tweezers can be used to remove the frozen gum.If you have small gum spots on the garment, this may be better.Again, be gentle and thorough.
Step 4: Spot- clean and dry the garment.
If there is still gum on the garment, you can use a spot cleaner, laundry detergent, or lightly scrub it away.If you want your garment to be color-safe, you need to test the spot cleaner in a spot.Under the de-gummed garment, follow the recommendations on the tag.
Step 5: You can use a hair dryer.
You can use heat instead of freezing gum to make it softer.This is riskier than before because you can burn the cotton or make a bigger mess.If you set the dryer on a medium or low setting, wave it back and forth to keep it from overheating.Continue until the gum appears to be melting.The gum may be very hot in spots if you put gloves on.It should pull away if it is sufficiently heated.
Step 6: Get out of the house.
You can use the hair dryer or iron to peel the gum if you don't have one.Don't melt the gum into a puddle of sticky gunk, and be careful not to scorch the garment.You can put a piece of cardboard on the ironing board.The garment should be placed on top of the cardboard.The iron should be set to medium to prevent overheating.Run the iron over the back side of the gum spot.Sometimes you should check your progress.If the gum is sufficiently heated, it should peel away from the clothing and stick to the cardboard.
Step 7: Remove anything that might be related to the issue.
If you freeze or heat the gum, the process of removing it is the same.Blot, wipe, or lightly scrub away any gum remnants with a color- and fabric-safe spot cleaner or laundry detergent.
Step 8: Take it for a sour soak.
The gum on the fabric will be broken by soaking the garment in a slightly acidic solution.If it's easier to dunk the entire item, you can soak the gummed up portion of the garment.Lemon juice is the first option for soaking.If it's warm, you can use white vinegar, which may work even better.When the gum loosens from the garment, remove it with a butter knife.If necessary, spot- clean the garment and then wash it as usual.
Step 9: Place it in a coat.
If you want to remove gum in a pinch, mayonnaise or hairspray can be used.They are a bit messier than other methods.Let the gum dry after spraying it with aerosol hairspray.The gum will be harder to remove.Put a small amount of mayonnaise into the gum.The gum can be loosened by the oils and acids in the mayonnaise.It is recommended to rinse, spot- clean, and wash the garment.
Step 10: Fight with sticks.
If you give chewing gum an even more appealing option, like something that is also sticky, it may change its mind and move on without a fight.The kind used to hang dorm-room posters can be pressed over the gum.If you get a good bond, peel the whole thing off.There is a long list of uses for duct tape.If you want to pull it off, lay a strip over the gum and smooth it over.Again, spot- clean and wash the garment.