Chewing gum freshens breath very quickly, but sticks to clothes even faster. It’s very unpleasant when you sit on a bench in the park and the chewing gum you left sticks to one place. It is important to understand how to properly remove chewing gum from jeans. Dry cleaning these days is available only to a select few, so we’ll handle it on our own. We have collected the most effective ways to deal with the problem.
All methods? those that allow you to remove chewing gum from jeans are divided into three categories:
- Exposure to cold
- Warmth,
- Additional means.
Ice Cube
If your clothes are large or simply cannot be frozen, regular ice will help remove gum from your jeans. It is found in all modern refrigerators. It is necessary to treat the entire contaminated surface and hold for at least a minute. To avoid discomfort from the cold, use gloves or hold the cube with pliers. Try peeling it off by hand or use a stiff brush.
The method is especially relevant for coats, fur coats, winter jackets and other large items. If frozen water does not give the desired effect, use boiling water.
Washing machine
If you don't have time to scrub gum out of your clothes, you can use a washing machine. To do this, you will need a washing capsule and a higher temperature setting.
Just throw your clothes in the washing machine and wait for the gum to wash out. Then simply dry your clothes.
Boiling water
The method is more radical than the previous one and requires another pair of hands. Under the influence of such a high temperature, it is much easier to peel off the gum, since it loses its sticky properties. To avoid getting burned by steam or splashes, use a brush with a handle that is large enough. An assistant slowly pours water onto the elastic while you vigorously scrub it with a brush. In most cases, chewing gum can be cleaned off fairly quickly.
If the fabric is not delicate and can withstand high temperatures, you can resort to an even more radical method. After bringing the water to a boil, immerse the problematic part of the clothing inside and leave for a minute. At this time, try to peel off the gum with a sharp object or a brush (or a toothbrush).
Remember, boiling will ruin synthetic and wool items, as well as any delicate fabrics.
Sunflower oil
In addition to the usual classic methods of cleaning chewing gum, there are also those that are not so well known. One of these methods is sunflower oil. But you should work with it very carefully so that there is no greasy stain left on things.
- Pour a little oil onto the gum, this way you will soften it and be able to scrub or tear off the gum.
- If oil gets on your clothing, immediately pour dish soap onto that area of clothing so you can continue to clean the gum from your clothing.
Iron
An iron will help get rid of stuck chewing gum on your trousers. This is much safer than hot water treatment. Place jeans on an ironing board or other flat surface. Find a soft cloth or paper towels and place it over the problem area. Heat the iron to medium heat and gently iron over the napkin until the gum transfers to it.
Be prepared for the fact that after removal there will be a stain that needs to be washed off with dishwashing detergent or any product available to you.
How to remove stains with special compounds?
Among the variety of household chemicals, you can find preparations designed specifically for removing chewing gum from fabrics. In the ranking of the best compositions, a worthy place is occupied by:
Chewing Gum Removers (England) . The gel is applied to the stain and after hardening (after 5 seconds) is removed from the fabric. 300 ml of the drug at a price of 150 rubles.- Chewing gum remover MEGAM S (Russia) . Quite a large volume - 0.5 liters, cost 730 rubles.
- gum remover (England) . The bottle is equipped with a spray nozzle, making it easier to apply the product. One tube (100 ml) costs 1130 rubles.
All chemical reagents provide high efficiency due to the instant freezing of chewing gum. Its subsequent removal is carried out with a spatula or scraper. Spray products should be used with great care to avoid contact with skin and eyes.
Hairdryer
To heat the surface most delicately, use a regular hair dryer. Direct a stream of hot air onto the body of the elastic and heat it up. When the surface reaches maximum temperature, remove the gum with the tip of a knife or other sharp object. If it starts to stretch, scrub with an old toothbrush. If funds allow, buy an electric brush for these purposes; its effect is many times higher than that of a regular one.
The method can be used on most fabrics, including wool and some delicate ones.
Alcohol
Alcohol has a very strong dissolving effect.
- For this cleansing method, you will need to wear gloves to avoid burning the skin on your hands.
- Pour some alcohol onto the gum and wait 5-10 minutes.
- The alcohol will dissolve the chewing gum, making its structure more degradable.
- And then start rubbing the gum well until you wipe it off.
Vinegar
Vinegar has proven to be an excellent stain remover. It can even be used for colored items. To remove chewing gum, simply heat acetic acid to 40 degrees, wet the brush and process the gum until it is completely removed.
Table vinegar is found in almost every kitchen. If you don't have it in your apartment, buy it at your nearest grocery store.
Useful tips
Following simple rules will help you achieve a positive result. When starting to process denim materials from chewing gum, you should take into account their characteristics.
Eg:
The freezing method is suitable for wool and synthetic products;- Velcro can be removed from thick jeans using organic solvents, aggressive substances and intense mechanical stress;
- if there is no result from one method, you can try another;
- preliminary testing of the fabric will prevent possible changes in the structure of the fabric and discoloration during hot processing and freezing.
Following precautions and useful recommendations will help you avoid mistakes when removing sticky substances. It will also eliminate the need to go to the dry cleaner.
You will find all the most important and useful information about removing chewing gum from various surfaces in this section.
How to remove chewing gum from jeans using a solvent
Do not use solvents on delicate or thin fabrics. But rough materials will withstand such a procedure without any problems. To remove chewing gum from denim surfaces, use one of the following solvents:
- Refined gasoline
- "Antibitumen"
- White Spirit,
- Acetone or nail polish remover,
- Alcohol,
- Solvent 646.
Soak a cotton pad in the chosen product and thoroughly saturate the desired surface. Work from the edges to the center to avoid spreading the gum over an even wider surface. When dirty, replace the old cotton with new one.
Removing remaining traces
Once you've managed to remove chewing gum from your jeans, another problem arises: stains. You can remove them at home using proven products, such as acetone solution. This is a fairly aggressive product that can be used to remove stains from thick fabrics (jeans). Acetone is carefully applied directly to the stain and left for thirty minutes. Next, the item is washed as usual. Using a similar scheme, you can use the following available products: dishwashing detergent, laundry soap, liquid laundry detergent, store-bought stain remover.
You can remove chewing gum from jeans using a whole range of different methods and means. By choosing the most suitable method for yourself, you can quickly return your jeans to their original appearance. The main thing is to remember a very important rule: do not rush and always check the selected product on an inconspicuous area of denim trousers.
Vinegar stain remover
You will need to heat the vinegar, which already has a pungent odor. Before you begin, open the windows and ventilate the room as much as possible, or it is better to do the procedure directly in the fresh air. To prevent skin irritation, we recommend using rubber gloves.
To clean chewing gum from jeans, heat vinegar to a temperature of 60-70 degrees. Wet a stiff brush and work the stained area of fabric. When the elastic becomes more pliable, it can be easily removed. The marks left behind will go away after washing with soap.
Thus, removing chewing gum from jeans or other pants is not a problem. You just need to act as soon as possible and not delay. As a last resort, simply cut out this section of fabric and make ripped jeans, which are popular today.
How to get rid of chewing gum using folk remedies?
Before you begin removing gum from denim, you need to familiarize yourself with the characteristics of effective and safe home remedies.
In this case , such a criterion as the distinctive features of denim fibers and the nuances of the influence of the methods used on them is of significant importance.
The increased strength of denim material allows the use of a variety of methods, sometimes with completely opposite effects. An example of this would be the use of cold or high temperatures.
It should be noted that it is useless to try to remove gum from denim even with the most universal washing powders. Whereas under the influence of ice or boiling water, the chewing gum comes off without much effort and negative consequences for the appearance of the tissue.
Unstick with cold
The composition of chewing gum is susceptible to the influence of low temperatures . Under their influence, the structure of the adhesive substance changes. Chewing gum becomes brittle and is therefore easily removed from denim.
Below are several options for cold treatments. They involve first removing as much Velcro as possible with tweezers or just your fingers.
Freezer
The method is not only original, but also effective. The algorithm of actions is as follows:
If necessary, the procedure can be repeated. After removing the remaining chewing gum, the jeans are washed in the usual way, either manually or in an automatic machine.
Wipe off marks with ice water
The method is applicable provided that it is possible to maintain low water temperature for a long time . Therefore, it is recommended to use it in winter, when the container with water can be taken to the balcony or just outside.
The fragile gum crumbs are then removed with a brush. The product is washed with any washing powder, followed by a thorough rinse.
It's easier to use a stream of ice water from the tap. It is enough to direct it to chewing gum. Remove hardened fragments with the blunt side of a knife.
Ice pack
If you can't put your jeans in the freezer, just use ice. This is a more gentle method, during which freezing affects a small area without affecting the condition of the entire garment.
The removal technique involves the following steps:
Further actions are carried out similarly to the previous recipe. The procedure is effective when treating jeans immediately after a stain is detected.
Peel off using freezing spray
An exceptionally quick method is freezing with a spray used to cool areas of the body . It can be purchased at a pharmacy.
The spray is sprayed directly onto the chewing gum, which, as it freezes, is easily scraped off with a spatula or scraper.
Peel off using high temperatures
The completely opposite method is quite effective in eliminating contamination. The sticky mass is cleaned off quickly and without leaving a trace.
Wash with boiling water
Before heat treatment, remove most of the chewing gum from your pants . This will prevent the stain components from penetrating into the deeper layers of the fabric during softening.
Using boiling water requires special care during operation. It is more convenient and safer to perform the procedure together.
Progress:
If there is no partner, another method will do. You will have to put your jeans in hot water and let them lie in it for about 30 minutes. Then clean off the chewing gum as described above.
You can soften the sticky consistency using an ironing board and iron. Instead, you can place a wooden cutting board under the hard-to-reach area.
Thermal procedure algorithm:
A hot stream of air has a similar effect on pollution. There are some nuances of hair dryer treatment:
It is better to carry out thermal procedures before cold processing methods. Freezing and treating with ice gives good results if the chewing gum is not completely removed from the fabric after using boiling water, an iron and a hair dryer.
Other methods
Chewing gum is distinguished by its ability to firmly adhere to fabric, penetrating its structure. The most difficult thing to remove is old tissue damage using chewing gum. In such a situation, it is necessary to use more aggressive methods of influence.
Remove with vinegar
The method differs not only in its aggressiveness on the tissue, but also in the likelihood of harm to health . Vinegar vapors can negatively affect the respiratory system, and the product itself is dangerous for the skin of your hands.
Step-by-step instruction:
Wash jeans as usual. It is important to wash immediately after removing the gum.
Clean with solvents
Acetone, gasoline, alcohol are excellent solvents for sticky mass . However, their use can negatively affect the condition of the denim material. Therefore, it is not dangerous to use them without preliminary testing.
In addition to the test, you should strictly follow the instructions:
Despite all its effectiveness, in addition to the likelihood of streaks after removing a stain on jeans, there remains a pungent odor that is difficult to get rid of.
When using chemicals, it is necessary to take into account the possibility of a negative effect on the fabric. In addition, there is a high probability of developing an allergic reaction to them.
The simplest, but no less effective way to remove chewing gum from denim is with chewing gum. After chewing a new gum, you need to stick it on the dried one on your jeans and quickly pull it off. A similar method is using tape . Manipulations with tape are repeated until the chewing gum is completely removed.
What not to do?
When starting to clean things, you need to remember the existing prohibitions:
- It is not advisable to use sharp objects - you can damage the fabric. Their use must be very careful.
- You won't be able to remove a well-adhered rubber band by simply pulling it. Zealousness can lead to damage to the product.
- It is forbidden to apply intense pressure to thin, delicate materials.
- When cleaning, you can’t rush, you need to act systematically. In an effort to speed up the process, you can smear the gum even more.
- You should not leave unfinished cleaning, as gum residue can adhere even more strongly to the fibers, and a stain will often form on the area where the gum has already been removed if the item is not washed.
