Gum can be a pain to remove, but it can be a breeze with the right solvent. A few different solvents can be used to remove gum, but not all of them are created equal. Some solvents are more effective than others, and some can even damage surfaces. That’s why choosing the right solvent for the job is important.
So, what is the best solvent for removing gum? The answer may surprise you. The best solvent for removing gum is ice. That’s right, ice reduces the stickiness of gum and makes it harder and easy to remove. But sometimes you may need some alternatives. In this article, we’ll discuss some of the best solvents for removing gum and other helpful tips for removing gum from surfaces.
4 Best Solvents for Removing Gum
Despite so many ways to remove gum, you must choose the right method to keep your surface, cloth, hair, or other gummed areas safe from harm or damage. To keep your things safe from the gum, we have chosen the four best methods to remove gum and keep yourself and your things safe. Let’s read below and master these tricks.
1. Isopropyl Alcohol
Isopropyl alcohol, also known as rubbing alcohol, is a powerful solvent. This means that it can dissolve gum and other sticky substances. So, how to use Isopropyl alcohol as a solvent for removing gum?
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Isopropyl alcohol
- A clean cloth
- A container
- A butter knife or a comb
Instructions:
- Soak the surface in isopropyl alcohol.
- Apply the cloth to the gummed area.
- Let the alcohol soak into the gum for a few minutes.
- Use a butter knife to scrape the gum off of the carpet. If the gum is stuck into the hair, then use a comb to remove the gum
- Repeat steps 2-4 as necessary.
- Rinse the area with water.
- Wash your hands thoroughly.
There are a few things to keep in mind when using isopropyl alcohol to remove gum. First, it is a flammable liquid, so be sure to use it in a well-ventilated area. Second, it can dry the skin, so it’s a good idea to wear gloves when using it.
Finally, isopropyl alcohol is poisonous if ingested, so be sure to keep it out of reach of children and pets.
2. Ice Cube
Ice cube works like magic on the gum. The process is very simple, and ice is a very common thing to be found in the house. You may not believe how well ice works on gum as a solvent. Let’s see:
Here’s what you’ll need:
- An ice cube
- A polythene bag
- A blunt object (knife/ noodle spoon)
Instructions:
- Put the ice cube in a polythene bag and then place it on the gummed area.
- Let the ice cube sit for a few minutes.
- Use a blunt object to scrape the gum off of the surface.
- Repeat steps 2-3 if necessary.
- Wash the gummed area using detergent.
Here, if your gummed area is hair, use ice and a comb to remove the gum. After that, it will be better to wash your hair using shampoo.
3. Vinegar
Vinegar is another household product that can be used to remove gum. This method works best on hard surfaces, like tables or countertops.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Vinegar
- A clean cloth
- A scraper (optional)
Instructions:
- Begin by wiping the area with the gum with a clean cloth to remove any loose debris.
- Next, soak a clean cloth in vinegar and lay it over the gum.
- Allow the vinegar to soak into the gum for a few minutes.
- After a few minutes, use the cloth to scrub the gum off of the surface.
- If the gum is still clinging to the surface, you can use a scraper to remove it gently.
- Follow 2-5 steps again if necessary
- Wipe the area clean with a clean cloth when you’re finished.
Though this method is good for hard surfaces, you can use this method on clothing, also. Simply pour vinegar onto the gummed area and let it sit for a few minutes. Then, use a butter knife to scrape the gum off.
4. Oil
You may be surprising oil can be an effective solvent for removing gum from the surface or hair. It is true because when you put oil on gum, it breaks down the gum’s structure and dissolves it. This is why oil is such an effective way to remove gum from surfaces.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Oil (vegetable, olive, or canola oil will work)
- A clean cloth
- Scrapper or comb
- Detergent or shampoo
Instructions:
- Apply oil using a cloth over the gum
- Keep it for a few minutes
- remove the gummed-up area with the scrapper until the gum comes up. You can use a comb if the gum is in your hair.
- Re-apply some oil if there is some existing gum
- Wash the area using detergent or shampoo.
Using oil is the best method for removing gum from hair though you can use it on surfaces. But cleaning gum from the surface will be better to avoid it if you don’t want an oily mess on the floor.
Worse Solvent for Removing Gum
There are some solvents that you can use to remove gum from any type of surface, but if failed to process them inaccurate order, it can make removing gum harder. Also, some solvents can hamper the surface fabric or walls’ color during the removal process. For that, we have listed some of the worse solvents to remove gum that is often used.
1. Goo Gone
If you’ve ever had gum stuck on your surface, cloth, or hair, you know how difficult it can be to remove it. You may have even tried using Goo Gone to remove the gum, but did you know that this isn’t the best solution? In fact, using Goo Gone to remove gum can actually damage your hair.
Goo Gone is a petroleum-based product that is designed to dissolve adhesive. While this can be effective for removing gum from hard surfaces like tables or floors, it is not the best choice for removing gum from hair.
You can remove gum using Goo Gone from the table floor or walls, but it can worsen the spot by fading up the spot color. So that’s not a good idea to use Goo Gone for using on a surface.
When you use Goo Gone to remove gum from your hair, it can strip away natural oils and leave your hair feeling dry and brittle. In addition, Goo Gone can be difficult to rinse out completely, which can leave a sticky residue behind.
So the next time you find yourself with gum, skip the Goo Gone doesn’t matter what you have read on the internet about Goo Gone related to gum.
2. Wd 40
It seems like every time you turn around; there’s another use for WD-40. Though WD-40 is very useful in some cases, there are some viral tricks that show fake DIY tricks that won’t work effectively. Just like that, WD-40 is not a good option as a gum-removing solvent.
Gum comprises various ingredients, including sugar, corn syrup, and latex. When these ingredients combine, they form a sticky, chewy mass that’s difficult to remove. WD-40 is designed to dissolve oil and grease, so it won’t do anything to break down gum.
In fact, using WD-40 to remove gum can actually make the problem worse. WD-40 is an oil-based product, so it will just make the gum more slippery and difficult to remove. WD-40 can also damage some surfaces, so avoiding using it on delicate materials like vinyl or leather is best.
3. Hair Dryer
Although it’s been shown in many DIY videos that a hair dryer is an easy trick to remove gum from a surface, it could worsen the thing and damage the surface.
The process of removing gum using a hair dryer is heating up the gum and remove, but ultimately, it melts the gum and spreads it more. So it makes it harder to remove the gum.
However, if you use hair dryer heat to remove gum, it can damage the area too. Such as, it can fade gummed cloth, melt carpet, damage wall color, etc. most importantly, do not ever try to remove gum from the hair using a hair dryer.
Overall, using a hair dryer is one of the worst ideas shown on the internet as a gum-removing solvent.
Conclusion
The best solvent for removing gum is ice. This method is quick, easy, and effective. Ice reduces the stickiness of gum and makes it harder to remove. If you don’t have ice, you can also use vinegar, oil, or isopropyl alcohol. Just be sure to use these solvents with caution.
You can remove gum from any type of surface in many ways, but not all of them are created equal. Some solvents, like WD-40 and hair dryers, can worsen the problem. Others, like Goo Gone, can damage surfaces.
