Practical recommendations on how to remove chewing gum from the sofa at home

Chewing gum is a popular culinary product. It consists of elastomeric and rubber-containing substances that have the properties of viscous liquids.

Mixing with saliva, they become incredibly sticky, firmly attaching to surfaces.

If the mass is disposed of in a timely and correct manner, no problems arise. But it is not uncommon for a housewife to be horrified to discover a characteristic stain in the most unexpected places.

Of particular concern is chewing gum stuck to the upholstery of the sofa. You need to act immediately. We will tell you in this article how and how to remove chewing gum from the upholstery of a sofa.

How to remove using folk remedies?

If you don’t have professional means to combat sticky mass at hand, you can use budget-friendly methods available at home.

Effect of cold

Synthesized synthetic polymers, which are the basis of chewing gum and give it elasticity, lose their properties when frozen and harden. This is a great chance to get rid of the sticky stain.

Special freezing aerosols can helpwhich are used:

• for injuries;
• for assembling parts;
• to detect damage in microcircuits.

You can buy instant coolers at a pharmacy, sporting goods store or hardware store. If this is not possible, you can use ice cubes from the freezer.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Remove the top layer of gum.
2. Apply an ice pack to the remaining stain.
3. Wait 20-30 minutes.
4. Carefully scrape off the mass with a non-sharp object.

If the chewing gum becomes soft during the cleaning process, the procedure must be repeated. Any stain that may remain on the fabric can be treated with nail polish remover. It is better to choose a product without acetone.

All the pieces that have been cleaned off must be collectedto avoid re-sticking.

How to remove chewing gum from upholstered furniture, video tip:

Heating devices

Every housewife has an iron. It can be used to combat chewing gum that has settled on your favorite sofa.

Description of the iron cleaning process:

1. Cover the stain with a cotton cloth or sheet of paper. In terms of density, a regular notebook sheet is optimal.
2. Heat the iron, the temperature should not exceed 110 degrees.
3. Iron the sheet so that the gum melts and is absorbed into the paper.
4. Remove the sheet along with the mass.
5. Repeat the procedure until complete removal, each time covering the clean area with a piece of cloth or paper.

It is not recommended to hold the device in one place for more than 3-5 seconds and smooth the surface to be treated.

A hair dryer has less heating power than an iron, so it is recommended for delicate fabrics.

Oils

You can get rid of chewing gum on the couch using oils that neutralize its stickiness.

For this use:

• olive;
• eucalyptus;
• peanut butter.

You can buy them in pharmacies, grocery and cosmetic stores.

Instructions for use:

1. Soak a cotton pad in the liquid and press onto the stain.
2. Leave for 10 minutes.
3. Carefully remove gum from upholstery.
4. Using a soap solution, remove traces of sticky mass and oil from the surface.

Some types of oil affect the color of the coating, so it is necessary to first apply the liquid in an inconspicuous place for testing.

Cleaning with this method must be carried out carefully., otherwise greasy stains may appear on the sofa, which will also have to be removed.

Table vinegar

Solvents accelerate the breakdown of polymers in chewing gum, reducing its stickiness. Table vinegar, which can be found in every housewife’s kitchen, is also suitable for these purposes.

Step-by-step instruction:

1. Soak a clean cloth, preferably cotton, in the liquid.
2. Apply to the stain for 8 minutes, being careful not to interact with the upholstery material.
3. Use a plastic spatula or wooden spatula to scrape off the mixture. It is better to make movements in one direction.
4. Remove residues with soapy water or special foam for dry processing.

The method is only suitable for some fabric upholstery. For natural, artificial leather, and delicate fabrics, contact with vinegar is not recommended.

Steam treatment

A good result when removing chewing gum from clothes is provided by the action of steam that comes out of the spout of a boiling kettle.

Likewise you can remove a stuck lump from furniture upholstery using a steam cleaner, which will cope with the task without special tools and compounds.

The device allows you to apply steam directly to the adhered substance. It is necessary to heat the device, install a thin nozzle, and point it at the surface at an angle of 30 degrees. After softening, all that remains is to carefully remove it with a napkin, without smearing it on the surface.

The method is fundamentally not suitable for leather and velor coverings.

How to scrub using household chemicals?

In addition to organic solvents that are used for cleaning textiles (acetone, gasoline), the domestic market offers industrial sprays and emulsions.

They destroy the structure of the chewing gum and do not pose a threat to the surface. There is a significant disadvantage - the relatively high price.

Experienced housewives recommend:

1. Megam S – spray for removing chewing gum from textile surfaces. Can remove even old stains in 10 minutes. Requires preliminary testing for resistance to the action of the solvent that is part of the concentrate. Price 280-340 rubles per 500 ml.
2. Gumex Spray – refrigerant for removing chewing gum. It destroys the structure by instantly freezing, which allows you to effortlessly remove the mass from the textile surface. Price from 1100 to 1300 rubles per 0.5 ml.
3. Taski Tapi Gum - a colorless aerosol that freezes the stain, thereby blocking the stickiness of the mass. Does not contain CFCs and is safe for surfaces. Effective instantly. Price from 1000 to 1200 rubles per 500 g.

Removing chewing gum from various materials

Regardless of the material, it is recommended to remove the sticky mass from the sofa immediately, before it penetrates deep into the pores of the fabric or leather.

If possible, do not use sharp objects or fingernails for scraping. chewing gum - the effect will be weak, and the coating may deteriorate. Tips for caring for various categories of sofas will help housewives remove chewing gum without risk.

Economy upholstery fabric

Foam, an industrial furniture cleaner, is designed for dry stain removal. If you strictly follow the manufacturer's recommendations, it can be used for silk, velor, velvet and tapestry upholstery.

Premium upholstery

Owners of expensive sofas should think about professional cleaning; the process of removing chewing gum using traditional methods can lead to the piece of furniture becoming unusable. For more information on how to remove chewing gum from leather products, read this article.

What can't be used?

In addition to restrictions on the choice of products and type of cleaning for each furniture coating, there are general prohibitions.

Fundamentally not suitable to remove chewing gum:

• shower gels and shampoos;
• perfumery (perfumes, colognes);
• laundry soap;
• dishwashing liquid.

Solutions prepared independently should be used carefully. They do not always effectively remove chewing gum, and can ruin the upholstery of the sofa, discolor it, or damage the filling underneath.

It is safer to use industrial products that are developed by specialists taking into account contaminants and types of materials. It should be understood that there is no universal remedy.

Advice from professionals

To avoid damaging the fabric and damaging the sofa when removing chewing gum from the sofa upholstery, You must follow the advice of professionals:

• Before cleaning, determine the type of coating and study the manufacturer’s recommendations for caring for it;
• test the product to be used on the least visible area of ​​the sofa;
• do not use chlorine-containing or alcohol-based liquids (bleach, vinegar), which may affect the color of the coating;
• To clean stains on a light-colored surface, use white napkins; colored ones can stain the upholstery;
• Use dry clean only for delicate surfaces.

You will find all the most important and useful information about removing chewing gum from various surfaces in this section.

Conclusion

The effectiveness of removing stuck gum depends on several factors. In order for the stain to leave the surface completely, you need to act immediately, without delaying cleaning.

Use tools and methods recommended by the manufacturer and professionals. Avoid aggressive solutions, sharp objects, and wet surfaces.

To avoid the appearance of chewing gum and other types of contamination, it is necessary to use a blanket or cover. This will help maintain the original appearance of the sofa for a long time.