How to Get Gum out of Carpet
Having chewing gum stuck in your beautiful carpets is every parent’s nightmare. But it can be fixed if you know how. Our guide below deals with the various methods that you can use, from the best professional solution to gum-removal hacks that you can use in a pinch.
Has your kid just got some fresh gum stuck in his bedroom carpet? Perhaps you’re faced with dried gum stuck in the living room carpets from a previous tenant? Whatever the situation, we have the solution for how to get um out of your carpet. Keep reading for step-by-step instructions to deal with that sticky mess.
What this article covers:
- What's the Best Way to Remove Gum from the Carpet?
- How to Get Gum out of a Carpet with Ice
- How to Remove Gum Using Heat
- How to Use Rubbing Alcohol to Remove Gum
- How to Remove Gum from a Carpet with Wd40
- How to Get Old Dried Gum out of a Carpet
- What Can You Do About Remaining Color Stains?
- How to Get Gum out of Carpet FAQ
What's The Best Way To Remove Gum From The Carpet?
The best way to remove gum from carpets is to use one of our cleaning chemicals designed for removing stubborn messes on carpets. Professional carpet care products are always your first line of defense when treating any carpet disaster.
Our Super Gel gel spotter will safely remove gum, and even grease, oil, and lipstick from carpets. Use according to the instructions on the bottle. It can be used on all types of carpet fibers. Super Gel can also be used on your upholstered chairs, couches, and most other washable surfaces.
You may want to use it in conjunction with our Gum Getter gum removal tool. This is designed for scraping gum for your carpets and will do so without causing any damage.
How To Get Gum Out Of A Carpet With Ice
One of the most popular hacks for removing gum from carpets is the ice method. When frozen, the gum hardens, making it easier to remove. A similar approach can be used to remove fresh chocolate stains from carpets or to treat candle wax spills
You will need:
- A piece of cardboard
- Ice in a bag, or an icepack
- A scraping tool, like a silicone spatula or blunt knife
Step 1
Take a piece of cardboard and cut a hole in it, to outline the shape of the blob of gum on the carpet. This will protect the surrounding area while you work on removing the gum. Place the cardboard over the piece of gum.
Step 2
Take some ice cubes in a bag (to prevent a mess from melting ice), or an icepack, and rub this over the gum. Do this repeatedly for a minute or two until the gum hardens. Gum becomes much easier to remove from carpets and couches when it is frozen, as it relaxes its bond to the carpet or upholstery fibers.
Step 3
Once the gum is hard, use the blunt knife or spatula to carefully scrape the gum from the carpet. Do not use excessive force, as this may damage the carpet. Take your time, and use gentle scraping movements, until the gum has been completely removed.
How To Remove Gum Using Heat
While ice is probably the most common gum removal hack, there is a cleaning hack that uses heat, too. It would be best to avoid this method for wool carpets or rugs made of natural fibers. Direct heat may damage natural fibers, in which case your carpet could be ruined.
You can achieve this very simply using the following items:
- A hairdryer
- An old, clean rag
Step 1
Using the hairdryer on the lowest heat setting, move it back and forth over the blob of gum to soften it. Please do so carefully. You do not have to hold it that close to the carpet, and doing so may in fact cause damage. Set the hairdryer aside, and switched it off, once the gum has softened sufficiently.
Step 2
Blot up the softened gum with the old rag. The heat will have loosened it from the carpet fibers enough to lift it without too much exertion. If at any stage it seems to have hardened again, reapply heat as before.
It may take a few rounds of heat and blotting to remove a large gum blob that has been tramped into the fibers. Always switch the hairdryer off before placing it down onto the carpet again to proceed with lifting the gum.
How To Use Rubbing Alcohol To Remove Gum
Rubbing alcohol is another tried-and-tested cleaning hack for everyday stains. Some people have found it to be effective at removing gum from carpets, too.
Pour some rubbing alcohol onto the gum and leave it for 5-10 minutes to soften. The gum should become gooey, and then can be lifted with your fingers. You may want to use rubber gloves when doing so, or you’ll have very sticky hands afterward.
As with all cleaning hacks, it is best to first test the cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area of the carpet first. While all the hacks listed here can be effective when used carefully, there is no guarantee that they will not cause discoloration on certain brands of carpet or upholstery.
How To Remove Gum From A Carpet With WD40
The WD40 method is another popular gum-removal hack. WD40 is useful for more than just lubrication, it can also be used in several cleaning hacks. As mentioned above, do a test patch on your carpet first, where it can not be easily seen.
Chewing gum is a hydrophobic substance. This means that it cannot be removed by dissolving it in water, like with cleaning syrup out of a carpet.
While soapy water may be effective at removing chocolate milk from the carpet or cleaning hot chocolate from the carpet, that will not work on gum stuck on the carpet.
WD40 can be used to break up fresh gum stuck in your carpets or your upholstery. To remove the gum with WD40, you will need the following:
- A can of WD40
- A clean rag or scrub brush
Step 1
Spray some WD-40 on the chewing gum, with the spraying straw of the can directed at the underside of the gum blob. You need to aim it at the place where the gum is attached to the carpet fibers. Luckily, WD40 cans all have this straw attachment that will make it easy to do so.
Step 2
After 5 -10 minutes. gently scrub the gum in one direction only with the rag or scrubbing brush. You may need to add a bit more WD-40 during this process. This WD40 hack can also be used in an emergency, to remove coffee stains from the carpet, and even to remove set-in tea stains from your carpet.
The WD40 method is a great gum removal trick if you do not have professional gum removal products available. But if you are concerned about the traces of WD40 left behind in your carpet, our Super Gel product listed above is just as good at removing this.
It can be used on any oily substance that is on your carpet and is a must-have stain removal product for any home.
How To Get Old Dried Gum Out Of A Carpet
Once the gum is dry, it can be removed using the scraping method described in the ice removal method listed above. If it has been trampled down into carpets, it may be a bit trickier to remove, and you may find the WD40 method easier.
Of course, the Super Gel method will be the most effective. But if you have no carpet chemicals available and need a home remedy that works, using white vinegar is a hack that some people have found effective.
White vinegar is used in several home remedy cleaning jobs, due to its cleaning and odor-neutralizing properties. It is also one of the best ways to get rid of the milk smell on a carpet.
You will need:
- White vinegar
- Clean cloth
- Dull knife or spoon
- Old but clean scrubbing brush or toothbrush
Step 1
Warm up some white vinegar. You may do so over the stove, or in a microwave. It does not have to be very hot. Pour it into a cup or bowl. Dip the cloth into it, being careful not to burn your fingers. Apply the vinegar to the blob of gum, saturating it.
Step 2
After a couple of minutes, start to gently scrape the gum away with a blunt knife or spoon. Use the same motion as mentioned above with the ice removal method.
You should not use excessive force, and never use a sharp knife or cutting tool. This will only serve to damage the carpet fibers, which will then be nearly impossible to fix.
Step 3
Brush any remaining gum bits loose with the scrubbing brush or toothbrush. These should now come away easily. The leftover bits can also be vacuumed up with your vacuum cleaner or handheld mini vac.
If there is a bit of a mark left behind, proceed with the next section below for removing color stains from your carpet.
What Can You Do About Remaining Color Stains?
If a color stain has remained after removing the gum from light-colored carpets, there is something you can do about it. And you don’t have to resort to any harsh products that may ruin your carpet.
Color stains left by gum will be due to the food coloring that is used to color the gum. Simply use our Red Action stain remover to remove this stain.
This will remove any remaining mess or stains, such as a color stain. Red Action is effective on all types of color stains, from food and beverage stains to gum to paint. And despite the name, any color can be targeted with it, not just red.
Red Action has been specifically formulated to remove food coloring from carpets. It is also the ideal way to get red wine out of the carpet or get a turmeric stain out of the carpet.
Conclusion
We have been in the carpet cleaning products business for over 30 years. In that time, we have helped countless customers resolve their carpet care problems.
We can do the same for you, whether it’s gum in your carpets, pet stains and odors, or stubborn food stains. So trust us to provide you with all you need to get your carpets as clean and fresh as you’d love them to be.
How To Get Gum Out Of Carpet FAQ
Is it safe to use home remedies for removing gum from the carpet?
Yes, the gum removal hacks mentioned above are generally safe if you take care to follow the instructions. But they will not be as effective as using our professional products formulated for gum removal.
What do I do if there are several gum blobs throughout my carpets?
Treat them in the ways described above, but you may want to deep clean your entire carpet afterward. This is because spot cleaning in several places can leave brighter spots on an expanse of not-so-clean carpet. Consult us for the best carpet chemical for an all-over clean.
Will gum permanently stain my light-colored carpets?
No, if you use our specialized gum removal product and tool, you should not have any lasting stain on your carpet. Use one of our stain removers afterward if this is a concern. This will remove any lasting trace of color from even the lightest carpet.
Did you find our blog helpful? Then consider checking other guides:
- How to Get Wax Out of Carpet
- How to Get Stains Out of Carpet
- How to Get Paint Out of Carpet
- How to Get Red Stains Out of Carpet
- How to Get Smell Out of Carpet
- How to Get Acrylic Paint Out of Carpet
- How to Get Blood Out of Carpet
- How to Get Old Pee Stains Out of Carpet
- How to Get Dried Dog Pee Out of Carpet
- How to Get Dog Poop Out of Carpet
- How to Get Dog Smell Out of Carpet
- How to Get Pet Stains Out of Carpet
- Remove Pet Odor from Carpets
- How to Clean Mice Droppings from Carpet
- How to Get Poop Out of Carpet
