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It’s bad enough stepping in chewing gum while walking the streets. It’s even worse when it somehow ends up stuck in your carpet. We all know how hard it is to get gum off the bottom of a shoe or off the pavement, so is it possible to successfully remove it from your carpet?
This article highlights top tips and tricks to get that dreaded gum out of the carpet and restore your floor to its normal state. Keep in mind that the sooner you tackle the problem, the easier it will be, so don’t put it off.
Try the ice method
You can either place ice cubes into a bag or you can use an ice pack. The idea is to put the ice on the gum for about five to ten minutes until the gum hardens.
Start picking away at the frozen gum. Begin with lifting the edges and working your way towards the centre. Try and avoid removing carpet fibres with the gum wad.
You should be able to remove most of the gum this way. If any residual gum remains, try applying a few drops of methyl salicylate to clean up the rest. Once all the gum is removed, scrub the affected area with warm, soapy water to remove any stains.
You can melt the chewing gum
This method is the complete opposite of the ice method. Instead of freezing the gum, you’re going to melt it with a hair dryer. Applying heat in this manner loosens the gum from the carpet’s fibres, making it easier to remove.
With the hair dryer set on low heat, direct the airflow onto the gum for a few minutes. Then, using a rag or a plastic bag, start picking away at the gum while it’s still hot and soft. Keep repeating the heating and picking process until all gum is removed.
Follow up with the application of a damp sponge to remove any leftover residue or staining.
WD-40 can resolve your chewing gum problem
WD-40 is something found in many Aussie households, as it just has so many handy uses. But did you know that you can use this versatile spray to remove chewing gum from your carpet? As chewing gum is hydrophobic, it won’t dissolve in water. Therefore, you need a solvent, and WD-40 is exactly that. It’s generally a quicker fix than the ice technique too.
Liberally spray WD-40 on the offending chewing gum. Aim the spray nozzle at the underside of the gum and use your fingers to get the solvent into the carpet fibres. Leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, allowing enough time for the WD-40 to do its job.
Use a small scrubbing brush or a rag to work the gum free of the carpet. Focus on scraping the gum in one direction only. If required, apply more WD-40 and repeat the process. Be sure to clean the affected area of the carpet with warm, soapy water to remove both gum, odour and solvent residue.
The vinegar method
Vinegar is another common household product that’s extremely versatile, and you can use it to lift chewing gum from your precious carpet.
Start by warming up a quarter of a cup of white vinegar in the microwave. Then, using a clean white towel or cloth, dip it into the vinegar and start dabbing at the gum stain. Now, use a spoon or a butter knife to pry the gum away from the carpet fibres. Keep dabbing with vinegar and prying until all chewing gum is removed.
If there is any residual gum remaining on the carpet, apply more vinegar and gently brush the affected area with a toothbrush.
Peanut butter also removes chewing gum from carpets
It may sound like a random solution, but there is logic to the peanut butter method. The oils in peanut butter actually dissolve the chewing gum’s natural base.
Dab peanut butter onto the gum and try to get as much as you can underneath the gum where it meets the carpet. Leave it for 5 to 10 minutes, then start picking away at the edges of the gum wad, working towards the centre. Once more, when all the gum is gone, spot-wash the carpet to remove the peanut butter and any stains.
Other products you can use to remove chewing gum
We’ve already covered that WD-40 can be used to remove gum, but it’s not the only solvent that does the trick. These solvents are particularly useful if the gum has been on the carpet for some time and has hardened.
For example, you can use a dry cleaning solvent or other solvents that remove oil, grease or paint. Apply the solvent to the gum, working it under the gum as much as possible. Wait about 10 minutes, then use a rag or a plastic bag to pick away at the gum until it’s completely gone. Finish off by cleansing the area with warm soapy water.
Need professional help to remove chewing gum from your carpets?
Boas Cleaning Services is here to help. We are specialists when it comes to all types of carpet care and carpet cleaning. If you’re unfortunate enough to have chewing gum stuck to your carpet and you’re not confident to remove it yourself, give us a call, and we’ll resolve the problem in a super quick time. Once we’re done, your carpet will look as good as new.