Removing Chewing Gum from Fabric

So, my DH sat himself down on a pile of bubblegum the other day. I am thinking it was Trident by the way it smelled, lol! Anyway, these were a BRAND NEW pair of Levis and I had to find a way to get that gum off. This may be helpful to someone else some day:

Removing Chewing Gum from Fabric

If you've gotten yourself into a sticky situation by getting chewing gum on your clothes, there are ways to get it off that are safe for your garments .

Using a dull knife lift the gum off the fabric. Then, rub ice on the stain. This will help harden the rest of the gum so you can lift it off more easily.

If the fabric is washable…

You should spray the stain with a pre-wash spray. Let it set for five or ten minutes. Saturate the stain again with the pre-wash spray, rubbing the gummed area to dissolve the gum. Work some laundry detergent into the stain, then rinse it well with hot water. You should hold the stained area under the faucet so the gummy residue can be rinsed off.

If the gum remains, repeat the process. If not, launder the item using a bleach that is safe for that fabric.

If the fabric is non-washable…

To remove gum stains from non washable items, you should sponge the stained area with a cleaning fluid such as Energine or Renuzit or Carbona. You can usually get these products in drug stores or houseware departments.

Test an area first…

Always test cleaning fluid in a place that doesn't show. If the fluid doesn't seem to hurt the fabric, you can use it. Place the stained side of the fabric face down on a clean paper towel. Sponge the back of the stain with cleaning fluid. If the paper towel doesn't absorb the gum, tap the back of the stained area with a spoon. The sturdier the fabric the harder you can tap. Repeat the process until the stain is gone.

Consult professionals…

For valuable, dry-clean-only items, have the stain removed professional. Be sure to point the stain out to the cleaners.

The Georgia Cooperative Extension Service is not endorsing any products mentioned. There may be others that work equally well to remove chewing gum stains as those named. You may check labels and ask for such products where cleaning supplies are sold.


http://www.aginfo.fvsu.edu/teletips/stain_...removal/853.htm

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