How to Remove Gum from Shoes

Chewing gum, no matter how delicious it is, can be a big problem. Many people have experienced the terrible effects of swallowing gum by mistake, and others have gotten it stuck on their clothes, hair, or even shoes as they walk. Unlike getting rid of chewing gum from your hair, removing it from your shoes is a very simple task.

Freeze the Gum Off With a Plastic Bag

Method #1

Things needed:

• Refrigerator with a freezer
• Plastic bag

This may be one of the best methods to get gum off, but can damage your shoes. So try this approach with caution. First, wrap the shoe in the plastic bag. Put it in the freezer for at least an hour. Then take the shoe out of the freezer and the plastic bag. You’ll see that the chewing gum is stuck on the bag.

Use Sand to Dry Out the Gum

Method #2

Things needed:

• Sand
• Stick

Sprinkle some sand on the gum so that the gum dries up. Then, use a stick to scrape it out. Contact with sand will make the chewing gum come off easily, without getting your hands dirty.

Scrape It Off With Ice Cubes

Method #3

Things needed:

• Plastic bag
• Ice cubes
• Old knife

Wrap the shoe and the ice cubes in the plastic bag. One of the most important things to keep in mind is to make sure that the ice cubes do not come into contact with any other part of the shoe except for its sole, as it could damage the shoe. Press the bag so that the ice cubes are right up against the gum. This will freeze the chewing gum, and you can scratch the gum off with a knife. Remember to be gentle with the knife, as you could end up cutting the shoe.

Other Ways to Remove Gum From Shoes

Other methods:

• Use acetone nail polish remover on the gum. However, this may harm the shoe.
• Peanut butter and baby oil are commonly used for removing gum.
• WD-40 is a great lubricant to get rid of chewing gum. The oiliness of this product softens the gum, and makes it slippery enough to come off the shoe.

Cold hardens gum until it snaps off in one piece, a trick worth keeping with the rest of how to clean and care for shoes.