How to Remove Gum from Clothes

Gum on Clothes: Freeze It First

Chewing gum is a sticky polymer that bonds to fabric fibers at room temperature. The key to removing it is cold — freezing makes the gum hard and brittle so it snaps off cleanly instead of stretching and smearing. Once the bulk of the gum is removed, Goo Gone Pro-Power dissolves any remaining sticky residue. Never try to pull warm, stretchy gum off fabric — it will just spread further.

What You'll Need

• Ice cubes in a plastic bag (or freezer)
• Dull knife or spoon
• Goo Gone Pro-Power
• Dawn Ultra Dish Soap
• Shout Active Enzyme Laundry Stain Remover Spray
• Microfiber cloths
• Cold water

Step-by-Step: Removing Gum from Clothes

1. Freeze the gum. Place the garment in the freezer for 30–45 minutes, or hold a bag of ice cubes directly against the gum for 10–15 minutes. The gum needs to be completely hard and brittle before you attempt removal.
2. Snap and scrape off the frozen gum. Use a dull knife or spoon to snap the frozen gum off the fabric. Work quickly before it warms up and becomes sticky again. Remove as much as possible in one go.
3. Re-freeze if needed. If the gum starts to warm up and become sticky again before you've removed it all, re-freeze and continue.
4. Apply Goo Gone Pro-Power to any remaining sticky residue. Goo Gone Pro-Power is specifically formulated to dissolve sticky adhesive and gum residue. Apply directly to the residue, let sit 3–5 minutes, then work in gently with a cloth.
5. Apply Dawn dish soap to remove the oily Goo Gone residue. Work in a few drops of Dawn Ultra Dish Soap and let sit 5 minutes.
6. Apply Shout Enzyme Spray if any staining remains from the gum. Let sit 10 minutes.
7. Machine wash cold with regular detergent. Check before drying.

Alternative Method: Peanut Butter

Peanut butter's oils can help loosen gum from fabric. Apply a small amount to the gum, work in gently, then scrape off. Follow with Dawn dish soap to remove the peanut butter oil. This works but is messier than the freeze method — the freezer method is generally preferred.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use WD-40 to remove gum from clothes?

WD-40 can loosen gum but leaves an oily residue that can be difficult to remove from fabric. Goo Gone Pro-Power is specifically formulated for adhesive and gum removal and is much easier to clean up afterward with dish soap.

What if the gum has been through the dryer?

Heat-set gum is harder to remove. Freeze thoroughly, scrape off as much as possible, then apply Goo Gone Pro-Power generously and let sit 10–15 minutes before working it loose. Multiple treatments may be needed.

Will freezing damage my clothes?

No — freezing is completely safe for all fabric types. It's one of the gentlest and most effective methods for gum removal.