Chewing gum is a popular pastime for many, but fun can quickly turn into frustration when a sticky blob of bubble gum ends up stuck to your favorite clothes. Fear not, for there exist effective methods to remove gum from fabrics with a little creativity and perseverance. In this article, we explore five different ways to banish bubble gum from your garments.

1. Freeze the Gum

One of the simplest ways to remove gum from clothing is freezing it. Start by placing the affected garment in a plastic bag, ensuring that the gum doesn’t stick to the bag. Next, put the bag in the freezer for a few hours or until the gum hardens. Once frozen, remove the garment from the bag and gently peel or scrape off the hardened gum using a blunt knife or an old credit card. Be cautious not to damage the fabric while doing so.

2. Use Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can be handy for dissolving stubborn bubble gum. To start, find an inconspicuous area of the garment to test for colorfastness—apply a small amount of rubbing alcohol onto a cotton swab and dab it onto your chosen spot. If there’s no discoloration or damage, proceed by dampening a clean cloth with some rubbing alcohol and gently pressing it onto the gum until it starts to dissolve. Once loosened, carefully scrape off the residual gum with a blunt instrument.

3. Employ Heat

For more delicate materials that cannot be exposed to excessive cold or rubbing alcohol, heat may be your best bet. Start by placing a piece of tinfoil or parchment paper over the garment on an ironing board so that shiny side faces down on top of the gum. Set your iron on low heat (use appropriate heat settings as per fabric requirements) and gently iron over the foil or paper until you can see that the heat has softened or even melted the gum. With caution, peel the foil or paper away from the fabric and remove any excess gum with a blunt object.

4. Leverage Duct Tape

Sometimes you have to fight stickiness with stickiness. Carefully place a piece of duct tape over the bubble gum, being sure not to push the gum further into the fabric. Press firmly onto the tape to ensure that it adheres to the gum. Swiftly pull off the duct tape together with the gum stuck onto it. Repeat this process until most or all of the gum is gone.

5. Opt for Commercial Gum Removers

If all else fails, there are commercial products specifically designed to break down and remove chewing gum from fabrics. Read and follow instructions carefully on these products, as they may contain harsh chemicals that could potentially harm certain fabrics if misused.

In conclusion, bubble gum may be a stubborn and pesky substance to remove from clothes, but with these five tried-and-true methods in your arsenal, you’ll soon find yourself equipped to tackle even the stickiest of situations.