What dissolves gum fast?

Chewing gum can be fun, but it can also be a nuisance when it gets stuck in hair or onto clothes, shoes, or other surfaces. Removing gum quickly and easily is important to limit damage and avoid spending a long time picking at sticky gum residues. There are a few household products and techniques you can use to dissolve gum rapidly so it loses its stickiness and can be wiped or rinsed away.

Ice

Ice is very effective at hardening gum and making it brittle so it chips off surfaces more easily. The cold temperature shocks the gum, causing it to solidify quickly. Here is how to use ice to remove gum:

• Wrap several ice cubes in a paper towel or small cloth.
• Hold the ice on the gum for 30-60 seconds.
• Chip off or scrape away the hardened gum with a dull knife or spatula.
• Repeat as needed until all remnants of the gum are gone.

The gum should flake off in bits rather than stretching or smearing. Ice is helpful for removing gum from hair, carpets, clothing, or any surface that can tolerate brief contact with something very cold without damage.

Peanut Butter

Peanut butter is oil-based and can help dissolve gum’s stickiness. Follow these steps:

1. Use a spoon to apply a glob of peanut butter directly onto the gum.
2. Let it sit for 1-2 minutes to soak into the gum and neutralize the stickiness.
3. Wipe off the peanut butter and gum residue with a paper towel.
4. Repeat as needed until all traces of the gum are removed.

The oils in peanut butter can help dissolve gum out of hair or off surfaces that may be damaged by ice. Peanut allergies are a consideration as well before using this method.

WD-40

WD-40 is a household lubricant and solvent that can be sprayed directly onto gum to dissolve and loosen it. Here is the process for using WD-40 on gum:

• Spray WD-40 liberally onto the gummed area, saturating it completely.
• Let the WD-40 sit for 2-3 minutes to penetrate and break down the gum.
• Gently scrape at the gum with a soft cloth or brush.
• Repeat spraying and scraping until all gum residue is removed.

WD-40 is effective at dissolving gum from hard surfaces like concrete or wood. Use cautiously on surfaces that may be damaged by solvents. WD-40 can also help remove gum from hair in a pinch.

Vinegar

Plain distilled white vinegar can help break down gum bonds. Follow this process:

1. Pour undiluted vinegar liberally over the gum.
2. Let vinegar sit for 3-5 minutes to penetrate the gum.
3. Wipe or scrape away dissolving gum.
4. Repeat as needed until gum is removed.

Vinegar’s acetic acid dissolves the stickiness. It works well for gum in hair or on surfaces that can tolerate contact with an acidic liquid. Test vinegar in an inconspicuous spot first to ensure it does not damage the surface.

Cooking Oil

Cooking oils like vegetable, coconut, or olive oil can dissolve gum’s stickiness. Follow this process:

• Apply a generous amount of cooking oil directly onto the gum.
• Let the oil sit for 2-3 minutes to penetrate the gum.
• Wipe away the gum and oil with a paper towel.
• Repeat as needed to remove all gum.

The oils break down the gum bonds. Cooking oil works well for removing gum from hair, as well as surfaces that may be damaged by other solvents.

Hot Water

Heating gum with hot water can make it pliable and easier to scrape away. Use caution to avoid burning or scalding yourself.

1. Boil water and pour it over the gummed area.
2. Let hot water sit for 1-2 minutes to soften the gum.
3. Scrape away softened gum with a dull knife or brush.
4. Repeat heating and scraping as needed.

This works best for surfaces like concrete, wood, or metal that can tolerate boiling water temperatures. Do not use this method on skin or delicate surfaces.

Dental Floss

Dental floss can saw through gum and slice it away from surfaces or hair. Here is the process:

• Pull a 12-18 inch piece of dental floss taut.
• Use a sawing motion to slide the floss back and forth across the gum.
• Keep sawing with the floss until you cut through the full gum area.
• Lift or scrape away the freed pieces of gum.

Dental floss works well for removing gum from hair or fur. Take care not to scratch delicate surfaces.

Lemon Juice

The citric acid in lemon juice can help dissolve gum’s stickiness. Here is how to use it:

1. Apply fresh lemon juice directly onto the gum.
2. Let juice sit for 3-5 minutes to break down the gum.
3. Wipe or scrape away loosened gum.
4. Repeat as needed until gum is gone.

Lemon juice works well for gum in hair or on surfaces that can tolerate brief acid contact. Rinse surfaces well after using lemon juice.

Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol can dissolve gum residues. Take care using it safely:

• Apply rubbing alcohol to a clean cloth.
• Rub the cloth over the gummed area to dissolve the gum.
• Take care not to get alcohol on any open cuts or sensitive skin.
• Rinse the area well after cleaning with alcohol.

Rubbing alcohol works best on hard, non-porous surfaces like metal, tile, glass, or plastic. Avoid using it on delicate finishes.

Baking Soda

Baking soda can help absorb and scrape away sticky gum. Here is how to use it:

1. Sprinkle baking soda liberally over the gum.
2. Let sit for 5-10 minutes to allow the baking soda to absorb the gum.
3. Use a damp cloth to wipe away the baking soda-gum mixture.
4. Repeat application and wiping until gum is gone.

The abrasiveness of baking soda helps lift the gum. It works well on surfaces like carpet or clothing.

Eucalyptus Oil

Eucalyptus oil can help dissolve gum and is gentler than many solvents. Follow this process:

• Apply a few drops of eucalyptus oil directly onto the gum.
• Let the oil soak in for 2-3 minutes to break down the gum.
• Wipe away loosened gum with a cloth.
• Repeat as needed until gum is gone.

Eucalyptus oil works well on surfaces like wood, tile, or plastic. Spot test first to ensure the oil does not stain the surface.

Hydrogen Peroxide

Hydrogen peroxide can help oxidize and dissolve gum. Here is how to use it:

1. Apply hydrogen peroxide directly onto the gum.
2. Let sit for 2-3 minutes to break down the gum.
3. Wipe away dissolving gum with a damp cloth.
4. Repeat as needed to completely remove gum.

Hydrogen peroxide works well on surfaces like clothing, carpet, or concrete.

Conclusion

Removing gum quickly minimizes damage and hassle. The most effective techniques involve using cold, heat, oils, acids, or abrasives to dissolve, freeze, or scrape away gum before it permanently adheres. Test any product on an inconspicuous area first. With the right supplies and method, you can banish sticky gum from surfaces, hair, and clothes.