How To Remove Chewing Gum From Clothes?

kah22

I was returning home on Wednesday afternoon on public transport and when I reached home was horrified to find a very large streak of chewing gum all down the leg of one of my trousers! :eek:
I immediately tried to pluck off as much as possible and then placed the trousers in the freezer. Removed them sometime later and had another go. Replaced them again and repeated the process. I've carried out this operation on a number of occasions using my nail to pick away at the gum and also using a stiff brush. After each attempt I return the item to the freezer until the next time.

Now I think I've removed as much as possible this way but there is still a very stubborn streak remaining so my query is how can I removed the rest of this gum? I prefer not to use the dry-cleaner but do it myself.

Some net searches I've carried out offer these tips: baking soda, a product called googone but I've never noticed this in any of my local stores, maybe it is not sold in the UK or sold under another name. Peanut butter and Eucalyptus oil were another two suggestions, There was even a suggestion about using Mayo! Before trying any of those I'd like to hear if any thrifty moneysavers has tried any of these suggestions, or has an alternative.

Many thanks as always.

jackieglasgow

peanut butter works on gum in hair, but I would iron it with brown paper or newspaper over the gum, which will melt it, and the stick it to the paper IYSWIM, and keep repeating until it is gone.

Penelope_Penguin

kah22 wrote: »

Peanut butter and Eucalyptus oil were another two suggestions, There was even a suggestion about using Mayo!

these oily solutions, are usually used to remove grease. Chewy is a polymer gum, so they're unlikely to work. They're not what I'd try first

Hang on while I find the existing thread; I'll mereg this one later to keep ideas together.

HariboJunkie

Or freeze the trousers and then chip the frozen gum off. Even freezing the gum area with an ice cube works.

Penelope_Penguin

HariboJunkie wrote: »

Or freeze the trousers and then chip the frozen gum off.

That would be my first suggestion, but the OP tried that already

jackieglasgow wrote: »

but I would iron it with brown paper or newspaper over the gum, which will melt it, and the stick it to the paper IYSWIM, and keep repeating until it is gone.

Have you tried that, Jackie, as I worry that the gum would melt and then seep further into the fabric :eek: Brown paper and a warm iron is the usual remedy to remove candle wax.

The existing thread is here - lots more suggestions

HariboJunkie

Penelope_Penguin wrote: »

That would be my first suggestion, but the OP tried that already



Have you tried that, Jackie, as I worry that the gum would melt and then seep further into the fabric :eek: Brown paper and a warm iron is the usual remedy to remove candle wax.

The existing thread is here - lots more suggestions

oops. I sped read.:D

That's what worked for me but I remember alcohol being suggested as an alternative. Even gin which I would use very sparingly. :cool:

jackieglasgow

I have done the paper trick PenPen, it works on school trousers, I think I used vodka once too, and a lethal hideous bottle of poteen we have in the kitchen cupboard

shop-to-drop

I'd recommend "De-Solv-it" spray. You can buy it at Tesco with the stain removal products. It's really useful stuff to have in the house for many jobs, removing sticky labels, rubber marks on floors and walls, crayon, curry stains etc. Definitely good for removing chewing gum and easily too.