So you have a situation of gum stuck on your carpet, and you start feeling panic is starting to take over. However, you have nothing to worry about. Though it may seem like an impossible task, getting gum stuck on your carpet is no big deal if you know how to get gum out of the carpet.
Getting gum out of the carpet the right way is a skill you might want to learn, as it’ll probably happen more than once in your lifetime, especially when you have children. Kids are careless, and if they like gum, it is like inviting gum to get stuck on your precious carpets. However, when you know exactly what to do, you’ll go through this trial and come out the other side feeling successful.
If you’ve tried in the past to remove gum to no positive results, you know by now there is a wrong and right way to approach this predicament. So today, we’ll be telling you everything you need to know so you can effectively remove gum from your carpet; you’ll learn the steps, tips, and tricks on how to get gum out of the carpet.
How to get gum out of carpet & Gum FAQ’s
Why is gum hard to remove from the carpet?
Gum is a sticky substance that is difficult to remove from the majority of surfaces, including carpets. When gum gets stuck to the soft fibers, its pliable texture makes it easy to get into the microscopic crevices. In other words, the gum will form a tight bond with just about anything it comes into contact with.
Tips on How to get gum out of carpet
- You know how stains should be removed from the carpet as soon as they happen, well the same is applied to the gum. You’ll have a better chance at easily removing that stuck gum if you act as soon as possible.
- When scrubbing on a carpet after using WD-40, do not be too hard on the carpet or you may damage it.
- Wd-40 is considered the quickest and easiest way to remove gum from the carpet without compromising the texture and feel of the carpet.
- The key to removing gum from the carpet is not to wait too long before working on the gum stain. The more you leave it unattended, the harder it gets to be eliminated.
- If using a hairdryer, keep in mind that excessive heating can melt the carpet fibers, obviously making it a lot worse.
How to get gum out of carpet
Check out different methods to remove gum from your carpet and pick your favorite. All methods have provided positive results.
Tools you may need:
- Carpet cleaner
- Scraping device
- Sponge
- Ziploc
- Ice
- Hairdryer
- WD-40
- Towel
Ice method
Ice is considered a natural and a home-remedy-like method, that has proven to effectively remove gum from carpet. Follow the next steps:
- Grab a zip lock bag and put a few ice cubes inside.
- Place the bag on the gum directly. Leave it for as long as you can and notice how the gum is hardening. Once the gum is hardened, it will be a lot easier to extract.
- Using a scraping tool, draw out the gum from the carpet.
- Once the gum is removed, you now have to deal with the stain left by the gum.
- Grab a sponge and dip it in a cleaning liquid.
- Now put the sponge on the stain and gently rub it. This will ensure that no trace is left behind that there was ever a piece of gum stuck to that area.
- Take a clean white towel and cover the gum stain with it.
- Pat it until all the liquid is absorbed and the carpet is dry.
- Your carpet should be as good as new and there shouldn’t be any more gum and no more gum stain.
WD-40 method
WD-40 is highly recommended when you don’t have time to waste. Is not only a simple but also an easy and quick way of removing chewing gum from the carpet. Using this method you should be gum free in approximately 10 minutes. Follow the steps:
- Spray a good amount of WD-40 directly onto the gum.
- Allow the spray to sit in the stain for several minutes.
- With a brush, remove the stain. You want to remember to scrub the stain in the same direction, keep scrubbing in the same direction in an easy quick motion.
- While scrubbing, keep applying more WD-40.
WD-40 drives out moisture and quickly dries out electrical systems to eliminate moisture-induced short circuits. It acts as a corrosion inhibitor to shield against moisture and other corrosive elements to prevent rust.
It is effective in removing grease, grime, gunk, gum, tar, sap, super glue, sticker residue, and other sticky stuff from multiple surfaces.
To use, simply flip it up for a precision stream and down for a regular spray action. Find WD-40 on Amazon.
Hairdryer method
Like the ice, using a hairdryer is perhaps the cheapest method to remove gum out the carpet, because in most houses there’s already a dryer. Follow the next steps:
- Grab your hairdryer and aim directly at the gum stain.
- Make sure you keep an eye on the gum.
- As the gum begins to melt, take a plastic bag and scrape up the gum.
- Since the gum has been heated up and is melting, it will easily stick to the plastic bag and will not be difficult to remove.
- Continue doing so until the gum stain can no longer be seen.
Carpet cleaner method
Citrus-based cleaners are highly recommended to use; you want to put in a bit more elbow grease and time to soak and thoroughly remove the residue. Follow the steps:
- Spray your solution directly onto the gum area.
- Allow sitting for await a few minutes.
- Use a scraping tool to remove the remains. Make sure to use a blunt scraping tool such as a spatula; you should never use a knife, as this may result in damaging your carpet.
Peanut butter method
It turns out peanut butter isn’t only good in your sandwich. The oils in peanut butter are key ingredients in breaking down chewing gum on fabric and carpet. Follow the steps:
- Remove as much gum as you can with a gum scraper.
- Apply a liberal amount.
- Work the peanut butter into the gum; use your fingers if you must.
- Use the gum scraper to draw out the gum from the carpet fibers.
- Use a carpet spot cleaner to remove any peanut butter or gum traces that have been left behind.