3 Ways to Remove Chewing Gum from Your Carpet

Interior Design & Decor

Published on: January 11th, 2021
5 minutes read

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Chewing gum is notoriously sticky so it’s no question dropping it in your carpet can feel like the end of the world. It’s literally a sticky mess which soon becomes a large unsightly stain that gets on everybody’s nerves as soon as they stumble upon it.

Not to mention that removing chewing gum isn't an easy job, either. Many people find it very difficult to remove chewing gum stuck on the carpet and we perfectly understand that.

Hence, if you are troubled by the same issue too, consider yourself lucky as we are about to teach you on how to remove chewing gum from your carpet. Here's what you need to know:

Freezing the Gum Off

Image via wikihow.com

The best way to remove chewing gum from the carpet is by using ice cubes.

First, fill the ice cubes in the plastic bag.
Place it over the chewing gum. Freeze it hard until frozen solid.
Use a butter knife to scrape off the gum. Dispose of the removed gum immediately before it softens and sticks again.
Repeat the process until the gum is completely removed.

Heating the Gum Off

Image via cozzy.org

The exact opposite of the previous method, this method heats the gum to make it pliable so it can be removed easily.

First, use a hair dryer to heat the area stuck with the chewing gum.
Be careful not to scorch the area or it may burn the carpet fibers. Take particular caution if your carpet is made from polypropylene as it may melt.
Once the gum is softened, gently pull it out of the carpet fibers with your hand covered with a plastic bag.
Repeat the process until all of the gum is removed, then move onto the next method to remove the remaining residue.

Removing the Remaining Residue

Image via hillarys.co.uk

Now you’ve removed all the gum itself, you might find there is some remaining residue. To get rid of it, you may use a dry-cleaning solvent or similar cleaning agents.

First, apply either peanut butter or WD-40 to the remaining gum. They have a lubricating properties that will help release the gum from the carpet fibers.
Work it in gently with your fingers.
Blot or pull gently on the fibers with the soft cloth to remove the gum.
Once the gum is removed, you will need to clean the area to remove the residue from the cleaning product.
To do this, mix a small amount of soap or dish detergent with warm water.
Blot the area with a soft cloth that has been moistened with the mixture. Continue blotting until the spot is totally clean.

In a nutshell, if you’ve dropped chewing gum in your carpet before, take a look at these proven methods and relax knowing that you stand the best possible chance of removing it completely.

Before attempting any kind of cleaning, homeowners should always consult their carpet care guide due to the fact that different materials and carpet types react in different ways

Thus, it’s vital to make sure the methods highlighted in this blog are appropriate and won’t damage your flooring. Nonetheless, enjoy cleaning your carpet and has one less thing to worry about!