The 10 Best Ways to Get Gum Out of Things

Oh look, there's gum stuck to the carpet. Or the bottom of your shoe. Or your child's hair. Don't fret—there are some tried-and-true ways to get gum out of things, beyond just peanut butter. Try these 10 terrific tricks.

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pants
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Freeze It

Did your child get their bubble gum stuck on their clothing? Just place the item of clothing in the freezer and leave it there for about two hours. Remove the item and you should be able to peel the frozen gum right off. Did you know gum containers are great for workshop storage?

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spray
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WD-40

Next time you find gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe, or you’re wondering the best way to get gum out of hair or how to get get gum out of carpet grab some WD-40. Just spray the it, let it sit for a couple minutes and then wipe it clean.

Here are 20 brilliant ways to use WD-40.

Buy WD-40 on Amazon today.

3 / 10
mayo
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Mayonnaise

Oil can help remove gum. Just rub it on the gum and it should be pretty easy to peel off. Just note that the oil in mayo can leave a stain, depending on the surface or fabric. Learn how to remove oil stains from concrete.

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lemon
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Lemon Juice

Try this lemon juice cleaning trick: If you get gum on your clothing, soak it in some lemon juice and then scrape it off with a butter knife. Wash the clothing on a normal cycle.

Here are 10 unexpected ways to use lemon around the house.

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white vinegar for pest control
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Vinegar

Vinegar also works for as a way to get gum out of carpet. Soak the item in vinegar and then brush the it off gently. Also, use vinegar to clean rusty tools.

6 / 10

Hairspray

If you have hairspray on hand, spray some directly on the gum and wait for it to dry and harden. You should be able to scrape it right off and it’s one way to of how to get gum out of carpet.

Get this product now on Amazon.

Photo: Courtesy of Aqua Net

7 / 10
toothpaste
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Toothpaste

Toothpaste will not only clean your teeth, it can help you remove gum. Toothpaste works by breaking down the gum’s stickiness. You’ll be able to easily scrape it off after the toothpaste does its job. Here are 50 things you never knew you could do with toothpaste, like clean your shoes to make them look brand new.

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ice
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Ice

If you find gum stuck on your carpet or on your couch, grab an ice cube or two or an ice pack and hold it on the gum for a few minutes until it hardens, then scrape away the gum. Get tough stains out of carpet with these tricks.

9 / 10
hairdryer
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Hair Dryer

Soften it with a hair dryer. Just apply some heat to the gum and then use a rag or plastic bag to pull away. Use caution with heat on carpets or rugs, as heat may harm some fibers.

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peanut butter
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Oh, Yeah—Peanut Butter!

Peanut butter is a hero when it comes to removing gum. You usually have it on hand, it’s not expensive and it doesn’t smell bad, either. Spread some peanut butter on the offending glob and let it sit for a few minutes. The gum will soften up and be much easier to remove. This works especially well for gum stuck in hair. These 11 peanut butter life hacks are must-reads.

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Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.