Chewing Gum on Cotton & Clothing

Medium·⏱ 15–25 min

  1. Apply ice in a bag to freeze the gum solid — leave 5–10 minutes.

  2. Once frozen, snap/peel the gum off — it should lift away in chunks.

  3. Apply rubbing alcohol to any remaining sticky residue.

  4. Apply dish soap and rinse cold.

  5. Machine wash cold.

What you'll need

  • Ice
  • Butter knife
  • Rubbing alcohol
  • Dish soap
  • Cold water

Common mistakes to avoid

  • ✗Never try to remove soft gum — it stretches and goes deeper into fabric.
  • ✗Avoid pulling without freezing first.

Pro tip

Peanut butter (the oil in it) dissolves chewing gum effectively — apply, work in, remove, then treat the oil stain with dish soap.

Always check the garment's care label and test any solution on a hidden area first. StainsGone provides general household guidance, not professional textile or restoration advice.