How to Get Gum Out of Clothes Using a Trick From Martha Herself

Maybe it happened at the park, during a commute, or thanks to a fidgety child. However it may have gotten there, a wad of gum stuck on your clothes can be a sticky situation indeed. Fortunately, yon’t need fancy tools or harsh chemicals—just the tried-and-true stain removal methods below.

Here's how to get gum out of clothes using tricks loved by cleaning professionals (and even Martha herself).

The Freezer Method

Martha previously shared this helpful trick on her show. "Put the garment into the freezer," Martha said. This will harden the gum, making it simple to remove.

"I like trying this first because it’s the least messy option," notes cleaning professional Stephanie Phillips. "Freezing the gum makes it hard and brittle, so you can just chip it off in chunks." 

Instructions:

1. Fold the garment so that the gum is facing outward.
2. Place it in a plastic bag, gum side out.
3. Pop it in the freezer for 1–2 hours.
4. Once the gum is completely frozen, use a dull knife, spoon, or credit card to gently scrape it off.

The Ice Method

If you don’t have a freezer available, or the fabric is too bulky for it to be practical, ice cubes can be similarly useful in gum removal.

Instructions:

1. Fill a sealable plastic bag with ice. 
2. Rub directly onto the gum until it hardens.
3. Once firm, scrape it off gently with a spoon, dull knife, or credit card.

While it'll take a bit longer than the freezer method, this trick has an additional benefit: "I like to use the baggy method to avoid dripping water everywhere as the ice melts," says Phillips.

The Peanut Butter Method

Peanut butter’s oily texture can actually help break down the stickiness of gum. Use sparingly and only on durable, dark-colored fabrics to avoid grease stains. (You might want to try a test patch first in a hidden area.)

Instructions:

1. Apply a small amount of creamy peanut butter to the gum.
2. Gently massage it in until you feel the wad of gum beginning to loosen and break down. 
3. Scrape the gum off with a butter knife or spoon. Repeat as needed to remove all the gum.
4. Apply a few drops of Dawn dish soap to the spot, then launder to remove any peanut oil residue.

The Vinegar Method

Among of vinegar's many cleaning uses, it can also be used for gum removal. “I picked this tip up reading an ancient magazine in a doctor’s office, believe it or not,” says Phillips. 

“Vinegar also helps remove any leftover stickiness after the gum is gone, so I usually end up using this or some rubbing alcohol before washing even if I am able to freeze the gum off,” she adds.

Instructions:

1. Heat a small amount of white vinegar until very warm but not boiling.
2. Soak a clean cloth in the vinegar and press it onto the gum. You can also use a dropper to apply the warm vinegar to the back of the garment behind the gum. 
3. Let sit for a minute or two to loosen the gum.
4. Use a soft brush or dull knife to scrape away the stain.

The Rubbing Alcohol Method

If there’s still sticky residue on the fabric after removing the gum, rubbing alcohol can usually take care of it. Be sure to patch test this first, as rubbing alcohol can affect fabric dye.

Instructions:

1. Dab the affected area with rubbing alcohol.
2. Allow to sit for 1–2 minutes.
3. Wipe or scrape off the residue.
4. Launder the item as usual.