If you don’t know how to remove gum from sofa, you can simplify the process into two steps. We will teach you the best method to harden and then pry off the gum from the furniture. This tutorial also includes some tricks to clean the sofa after gum removal.
Are you worried about removing the chewing gum on other sofa types? Do not worry because this tutorial includes tips for owners of leather, microfiber, fur, and wooden sofas. So without further ado, let’s get started.
How To Remove Gum From Sofa Using Ice
Step 1. Harden the gum with ice and pry it off
- Chewing gum will be easier to get out of the couch if you harden it, much like when removing gum off the blanket
- You can opt to freeze it directly with a bag filled with ice until the gum hardens
- If your sofa has a removable cover, take it off and place it in the freezer
- Once the gum hardens, you should easily pry it off with any blunt object
- Be mindful when pushing underneath the gum during removal, as you might be stabbing the sofa material
What if I have no ice or freezer?
Another method to harden gum is by setting it with compressed air after removing the majority of the gum. Just remember that the gum might get harder, and you will get several shattered pieces during removal.
Step 2. Clean the sofa as usual
- Vacuum the sofa off to eliminate hardened gum pieces
- Check the material on the couch to know the ideal cleaning solution for it
- You can use baking soda to clean leather or a solution of mild soap and water for most fabric upholstery
- Target the gum residues with a soft-bristled brush to avoid scratching the couch material
- Wipe off the cleaning solution and dry the sofa with a cloth
- A paste from baking soda and water should also work for stain removal if you still see some discoloration on the couch where you removed gum
How Do You Remove Gum From A Microfiber Couch?
If you have gum stuck to your microfiber couch, you can freeze it directly with ice cubes and then scrape it off. Another method to try if the gum is never coming off is to loosen it among the fibers. Dip a cloth on warm white vinegar and hold it onto the gum.
The vinegar should loosen the grip of the gum onto the fibers, making it cleaner to pull off. Then, absorb the residual liquid with another cloth. It’s also worth noting that while microfiber is durable thanks to synthetic fibers like nylon and polyester, be mindful of applying hot materials onto it.
How Do I Get Gum Off My Leather Sofa?
If you need to get gum off a leather sofa, it’s better to use scotch tape. Other popular hacks like using peanut butter might also work, but you don’t want to apply any greasy material on the leather without careful consideration. Leather is porous, and some oils can cause stains.
Here is the safest way you can do to remove gum from a leather sofa:
- Press a piece of scotch tape onto the gum and pull it off
- Apply leather conditioner on the affected area to restore its look
- If there are gum stains, you can treat them with lukewarm water and mild soap
- Create a soapy solution and collect the suds with a sponge
- Scrub the stained area gently and remove the residue with a clean cloth
- Dry the leather couch and condition it accordingly
How To Remove Gum From Wood Furniture
It should be easy to remove gum from wooden furniture compared to fabric or other materials where the gum can penetrate through. You will also harden it and then use a dull knife to unstuck it from the wood. But what if the gum has hardened?
- Soak one side of a paper towel with canola oil or peanut butter and rub it onto the gum
- If scraping leaves too much gum residue, press a piece of duct tape onto the gum and lift it off
- You can then restore the wood’s look by scrubbing the affected area with soapy water to eliminate the discoloration or greasiness from the remover you used
How To Get Gum Out Of Fur
Try freezing the gum stuck on fur and see if you can remove it afterward. If it fails, you have to use something to weaken the gum’s grip on the fur fibers. Grease and oil might be too risky to use on fur, so warm vinegar might be a safer alternative.
Dip a brush in heated vinegar and use it to soften the hardened fur fibers from the gum. The gum should slip better, and then you can spot treat the affected area.
Conclusion
Did someone accidentally have gum on your couch? Do not panic because this tutorial has taught you the proven and tested method on how to remove gum from sofa. You’re essentially hardening it with ice and then scraping the frozen gum off with a dull knife.
You might need to use tape or even other greasy items like oil and peanut butter in some instances. Just remember to test a small part of your couch first to see if they’ll stain. And if you’re bothered by the lingering odor, read this article on how to deodorize a sofa.