With kids in the house, chances are that you at some point will faced the problem: How to remove chewing gum from the rug. No worries, it is possible – it only requires that you use the right remedies and take your time. We have done some research for you and found 3 different methods:
The ice method
Gum on the rug? The answer is Ice ice, baby! No, not Vanilla Ice – ice cubes. This method is the most efficient when the gum is not ground too deep into the rug.
1. Put 4-5 ice cubes in a plastic bag and place it on the gum. If you can get your hands on a piece of dry ice, use it to make the gum freeze extra fast.
2. Once the gum is frozen solid, use a knife to scrape it gently off the rug. The gum will break into little pieces as you go along. Remove them and continue. Cool down the chewing gum with more ice and scrape off until it is all gone.
3. Make a solution of soap and a drop of white vinegar. Dip a clean cloth in the solution and scrub the remaining stain.
4. Blot dry with a towel. Don't walk on the rug before it is dry.
The hairdryer method
Maybe it is not cold but warmth that is more efficient in your case. Get out your hairdryer – it is time to remove the gum from your rug.
1. Turn on the hairdryer and point it directly at the stain.
2. Be careful not to melt the rug (in case the fabric is wool or synthetic).
3. When the gum begins to melt, scrape it up with a plastic bag. With a little luck, the gum sticks to the plastic.
4. Repeat until the stain is gone.
The oil method
Oil reduces the stickiness of gum and this can be a very useful method. The only problem is cleaning the oil off the rug when you have gotten rid of the gum.
1. Put some cooking oil such as olive oil on a clean cloth and apply it to the gum. Saturate the gum with oil by applying oil with the cloth over and over again.
2. Use a knife to scrape the gum gently off the rug. Scrape in the same direction each time and wipe off the knife blade after each time to avoid returning the gum to the rug.
3. Repeat until the gum is gone.
4. To get rid of the oil stain, clean the area with a solution of dish soap and water. Scrub the rug with a clean cloth dipped in the solution.
5. Blot dry with a towel. Don't walk on the rug before it is dry.
Important: Before taking any of the above methods into use, be sure to test them on a hidden location on the rug.
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