How to Remove Gum From Shoes – 9 Best Hacks

Learn How to Remove Gum From Shoes and say goodbye to stubborn gum with these cheap and effective home remedies!

Don’t let gum ruin your day or your favorite kicks. Learn How to Remove Gum From Shoes like a pro and restore your footwear’s former glory.

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How to Remove Gum From Shoes?

1. WD-40

WD-40 is a versatile product with numerous uses, including removing gum from shoes. It works by hardening the chewing gum and loosening its adhesive bond.

Supplies

• WD-40
• Clean Rag or Paper Towel
• Mild soap and water

Directions

1. Shake the can of WD-40 well before use.
2. Spray a small amount of WD-40 directly on and around the gum.
3. Leave the footwear for 2-3 minutes allowing the WD-40 to penetrate and break down the gum.
4. Use a rag or a paper towel to wipe off the gum. If it doesn’t, you can apply more WD-40 and let it sit for a few more minutes.
5. Once the majority of the gum is removed, clean the sole of your shoe with mild soap and water.
6. In the end, dry your shoe thoroughly with a clean cloth or paper towel.

Note – WD-40 can stain the shoe’s fabric, so use it cautiously. Also, ensure the area is well-ventilated when you’re using this versatile product.

2. Peanut Butter

This may sound strange, but peanut butter is a great way to remove gum from shoes. The oils present in peanut butter break down the gum’s adhesive properties, making it less sticky, thus, easier to remove.

Supplies

• Peanut Butter
• Wire Brush
• A Clean Cloth or Paper Towels
• Water

Directions

1. Spread a big glob of peanut butter on the gum. Make sure to cover the entire area of the gum.
2. Let the peanut butter sit for about 10-15 minutes.
3. Once the waiting period is over, gently scrub away the gum using a wire brush.
4. After that, rinse the shoe sole with water and dry it with a paper towel.
5. Check to make sure all the gum is gone. If any remains, redo the process.

3. Hair Dryer

A hairdryer is another cheap and effective way to get gum off your shoes. This method softens chewing gum and makes it less gluey.

Supplies

• Hair Dryer
• A Butter Knife
• A Clean Rag
• Water

Directions

1. Plug in the hair dryer and set it to medium or high heat.
2. Direct the hair dryer onto the gum. Keep the dryer about an inch or two away from the shoe to avoid damaging the material.
3. While heating the gum, check its consistency with a butter knife.
4. Once the gum becomes less sticky, gently scrape it off with a butter knife.
5. Repeat the heating and scraping process if the gum is still there.
6. Clean the area with water to remove any residual gum or stickiness. Dry your shoe thoroughly with a clean rag.

4. Freeze the Gum

Don’t have a hair dryer, wd-40, and peanut butter? No worries, simply grab a plastic bag and say goodbye to the stubborn chewing gum.

Supplies

• Plastic Bag
• Freezer
• Butter Knife or a Plastic Scraper

Directions

1. Place your problematic shoe in a plastic bag.
2. Make sure the plastic bag sticks to the gum properly. For this, press the bag against the chewing gum momentarily.
3. Put the shoe inside the freezer for 1-2 hours so that the gum sticks to the bag.
4. After that, take out the shoe from the plastic bag, and voila, your footwear is now gum-free.
5. Immediately use a butter knife to scrape off the gum remnants.

5. Try Ice Cubes

The ice cube method makes the gum hard and less gluey, making it easier to scrape off. This is one of the most common methods for removing gum from shoes.

Supplies

• Ice Cubes
• Plastic Bag
• A Plastic Scraper
• Paper Towels

Directions

1. First, put a few ice cubes in a plastic bag.
2. Hold the ice cube bag on the gum for 10-15 minutes.
3. Once the gum hardens, remove the gum with a plastic scraper.
4. Be careful not to scratch or damage your shoe while you are scraping off the gum.
5. After removing the gum, wipe the area clean with a paper towel.
6. Repeat the process if needed.

6. Sand and Toothpick

This hack uses the abrasive nature of sand and the scraping action of the toothpick to take off the gum from the shoe’s surface.

Supplies

• Toothpick
• Dry Sand

Directions

1. Grab dry sand and a toothpick for this hack.
2. Spread a generous amount of sand or dirt on the gum until it’s fully covered.
3. Take the toothpick and scrape the gum using back-and-forth motions.
4. Keep adding sand and scraping with a toothpick until the gum is completely pulled from the shoe.
5. In the end, clean the footwear with water.

7. Nail Polish Remover

While nail polish remover lifts gum from shoes, it should not be used on delicate materials like suede or patent. Here’s how to remove gum from leather, tennis, and rubber shoes using nail polish remover:

Supplies

• Acetone-based Nail Polish Remover
• Cotton Pad
• A Plastic Scraper
• Mild soap and Water
• Clean Rag

Directions

1. Soak a cotton pad with nail polish remover.
2. Dab the nail polish remover-soaked pad on the gum and let it sit for a minute or two.
3. Once the gum has softened, gently rub the area with the cotton pad until the gum is completely lifted.
4. If any gum residue remains, apply a small amount of nail polish remover to a clean cotton pad and gently rub the area again.

8. Lighter Fluid

Lighter fluid is a potent home remedy to get rid of gum from shoes. It works by weakening the gum’s adhesive, making it easier to remove dried gum from the shoe sole.

Supplies

• Lighter Fluid
• Old Cloth

Directions

1. Pour a few drops of lighter fluid, such as naphtha, on an old cloth.
2. Now, rub the cloth on the stubborn chewing gum for a few seconds. The lighter fluid should start dissolving the gum.
3. Redo the whole process if the chewing gum is still there.

Note – Lighter fluid should be handled with caution due to its flammable nature. Take proper safety precautions, such as working in a well-ventilated area away from any open flames.

9. Use Olive Oil

Olive oil is an excellent product to remove gum from shoes. This hack works by breaking down the sticky texture of gum, allowing it to separate from the shoe sole.

Supplies

• Olive oil
• Butter Knife
• Cotton Ball
• Paper Towel
• Damp Sponge

Directions

1. Pour a small amount of olive oil on the cotton ball and rub it on the gum.
2. Let the olive oil sit on the gum for 2-3 minutes.
3. After that, remove the gum with a paper towel. Use a butter knife to take off any excess.
4. Once the gum is successfully removed, wipe away any remaining olive oil with a paper towel.
5. Finally, clean the area with a damp sponge.

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Precautions to Consider

Before using the above hacks to remove gum from shoes, it’s important to consider the following precautions:

• Ventilation: Some home remedies, such as WD-40, can release strong odors or fumes. Ensure you’re in a well-ventilated area or work near an open window.
• Avoid excessive force: When scraping or scrubbing the gum, be gentle to avoid causing damage to the shoe’s surface. Use tools with dull edges, such as a butter knife or plastic scraper.

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How to Remove Gum from Shoes: Conclusion

With the above cheap and effective home remedies, you can say goodbye to stubborn gum and restore your shoe’s shine in no time. Just remember to take precautions to ensure the safety and integrity of your shoes.

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