Gum always sticks where you least expect it: on jeans after a park bench, on a shoe sole after a walk, on car upholstery or a child's car seat. It looks hopeless, but in fact it can be removed quickly and without scissors.
There are three approaches that work: cold makes gum brittle, heat makes it soft, and WD-40 loosens its grip on the surface. Here is how to combine them for different materials.
What you will need
- a teaspoon or plastic scraper
- ice cubes in a bag or a freezer
- a hairdryer; an iron and a piece of cardboard (for fabrics)
- WD-40 Smart Straw or WD-40 Multi-Use
- a clean cloth or tissues
- laundry detergent or a mild cleaning solution
Important: On fabrics and upholstery, test WD-40 on a hidden area first: delicate materials may be left with an oily mark that then needs washing out. The product is flammable: never use it at the same time as an iron or hairdryer, and ventilate the room.
Step 1
Remove whatever comes off
Use a spoon or plastic scraper to carefully lift off the bulk of the gum. Do not rub it or pull at it with your fingers, or you will work it deeper into the fibres or the sole tread.
Keep the spoon handy: you will need it for every step that follows.
Step 2
Freeze the gum
Hold a bag of ice against the gum for 10-15 minutes. Small items such as shorts or a hat can go into a bag and into the freezer, with the gum facing up.
Frozen gum becomes hard and brittle: lever it with the spoon and it will come away in one piece. In winter you can simply take shoes outside into the frost.
Step 3
Or soften it with heat
For thick fabrics and upholstery the opposite approach works too. Warm the gum with a hairdryer for a few minutes until it softens, then scrape it off with the spoon.
On clothing you can place a piece of cardboard over the spot and iron on a low setting from the reverse side: the gum transfers to the cardboard. Check the care label first.
Step 4
Treat the residue with WD-40
Once the bulk is gone, spray WD-40 Smart Straw with the straw raised precisely onto the remaining gum. Wait a few minutes so the product can get between the gum and the surface.
Wipe off the softened residue with a cloth or the spoon. If anything is left, repeat a few times before reaching for the scissors. On soles, plastic and metal, WD-40 Multi-Use works just as well.
Step 5
Clean the treated area
Wash clothing with detergent on the programme shown on the label to remove both the gum mark and the product. Dab upholstery and car mats with a mild detergent solution, then with a clean damp cloth, and let them dry.
For soles, plastic and metal, a wipe with a cloth and a drop of detergent is enough.
Tip: Never put an item with gum on it into the washing machine before the gum is removed: it smears across the fabric and can stick to other clothes.
What next
Keep a can of WD-40 Smart Straw at home and in the car: it helps not only with gum but also with stickers, squeaks and moisture. There is a separate detailed guide for carpets.
These uses come from the experience of WD-40 users in many countries. Always follow the instructions and warnings on the product label.
More guides in «How to use».