14 answers

L.S. asks from Waxahachie, TX on July 30, 2009

How Do I Get Gum Out of Child's T-shirt?

My daughter somehow got gum on one of her favorite t-shirts. The t-shirt material is very thin, and it's in three spots. I first tried putting the shirt in the freezer for awhile and then tried to pull it off, but that didn't work. After it warmed back up, I pulled off as much as I could, but a thin layer is still stuck in each spot and embedded into the fabric. I did research other posts on here first, but the only one I could find was about getting gum out of a dryer, not clothing.
The world will not come to an end if we have to throw this one away, but I am sure hoping to get it out for her and would appreciate any suggestions!
Thank you!
L.

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So What Happened?™

Well, I WAS able to get the gum out of her t-shirt, but it took a whole lot of effort. My method was two-fold; first, I ironed most of the gum off with the gum side down on a piece of cardboard. The thickest parts came off that way, but not all of the gum came off. Then, I heated up a half cup of vinegar and used an old toothbrush with stiff bristles. I nearly gave that up because it didn't seem to be working, but just prior to throwing in the towel and buying the Goo Gone/Goof Off stuff, I realized that if I dipped frequently into the hot vinegar and rubbed the toothbrush in really tight little circles over each spot of gum, it began to string together in the circular motion. Then I could start picking it off the toothbrush and wiping onto a paper towel. It was imperative to rub the toothbrush in tight circles, each time dipping into hot vinegar. I had to keep reheating the vinegar in the microwave. One problem that kept occurring was that the gum would go through the fabric to the other side as I scrubbed with the bristles. After working on the front side of the shirt, I had to turn it over and repeat everything on the back side. It just took a lot of effort and patience, but it all came off. Thank you all so much for the many suggestions. It took a combination to solve this problem!

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T.S. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

Baby Oil and Dawn liquid dish soap. Keep rubbing it and the gum will pill up and come off. Follow with Spray N Wash or something to get the baby oil out. Works like a charm!

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J.L. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

Try boiling water mixed with detergent. Let it soak for 30 sec then scrape with a spoon. Or a dry ceaning agent carbona,
K2r, or rubbing alcohol. - apply let stand for 30 sec scrape off with a spoon-any questions cell ###-###-#### J.

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K.D. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

Ice should work also. Just put an ice cube on it and freeze it. Then it should peel off.

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K.P. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

Goo Gone, Goo Gone, Goo Gone. IT'S THE BEST! Get it at Wally World or any grocery or drug store.

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T.S. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

Baby Oil and Dawn liquid dish soap. Keep rubbing it and the gum will pill up and come off. Follow with Spray N Wash or something to get the baby oil out. Works like a charm!

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M.M. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

i have had gum stuck to my pants!! i use nail polish remover! it works like a charm!!!

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L.P. answers from Tyler on July 31, 2009

My dgtr sat in gum, so I had to remove from a stronger fabric could stand up to more than a thin tshirt, but after trying freezing, peanut butter and prayer, I sprayed the heck out of the gum with spray n wash and threw them into the washer and the gum was gone! It was a risk, but this was during the last month of school and it was the only pair of khaki pants she still wanted to wear after 3 yrs of uniforms...I was NOT going to buy another pair for a couple weeks of school. Good Luck!

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L.H. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

Peanut butter! Or, you may try the "goo be gone" its a scrapbooking liquid to get the sticky off the back of stickers without ruining the photo. I'm not sure if it works on clothing, but if it's safe for photos, I'm willing to bet it's safe for clothes.

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S.L. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

I always use goo gone the orange kind. I've used it on clothes, my sofa, carpet just spray let sit for several minutes and with a cleanperfect cloth or rag and wipe.

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G.W. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

All good suggestions so far. Except maybe the nail polish remover... that could take the color out of the shirt.

I have this petroleum based cleaner that takes everything off but unfortunately it is only available in one store in St. Louis (where I'm from). I know, weird. But, a product just like it is called M30 from Dollar general. It comes in a tub (like the size of a margarine tub). It actually feels greasy but when you wash it, it does not leave any grease spot on the garment.

When you scrape it off, use a dull edge, like a butter knife. Also, try to apply the solvent to the BACK side of the garment as well as the front. I think if you put the solvent on, then freeze the garment/gum, then scrape, you'll have the most luck for success without harming the shirt.

Good luck!

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S.R. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

I have a product that will get anything out of anything...It is called sol-u-mel. Call me or email me for more info ###-###-#### or ____@____.com

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M.W. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

Sorry to hear the freezer trick didn't work. That usually makes it hard and crumbly. Now that you've gotten most of it out, I would actually try to freeze it again. Couldn't hurt!

Otherwise, try Carbona Stain Devil #1 (it will say gum, adhesive, etc. on the bottle). They have great products that usually work. I've seen them at Wal-mart and Tom Thumb in the laundry isle.

Hint: If you use anything that is oily to get out the gum, you will end up with and oil "stain". To treat an oil stain, sprinkle the area with baking soda. Let the soda stay on at least overnight. The baking soda will soak up the oil and you should be able to brush it off (gently) and then launder. I usually put a spray of regular stain remover (like shout) just before putting it in the washer.

Hope this helps!

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G.A. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

If it is just a cotton t use peaunut butter. G. W or WD 40

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K.H. answers from Dallas on July 31, 2009

L. the best thing is lighter fluid. Not propane but old fashion cigarette lighter fluid. It melts it instantly as well as it removes black marks from floors, walls & carpet. It's good stuff. It washes out & the smell doesn't last it evaporates. I've used it in carseat as well. Great to keep on hand. Good luck.

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V.B. answers from Dallas on August 10, 2009

Peanut butter worked into it, then scrape off and spray with Shout or something like that. Wash, do not dry and repeat until it is gone.

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