So there I am this morning, folding laundry, and then I spot it: a flattened, sticky wad of gum stuck to my shirt. Fantastic.

I’m guessing one of my darling children thought their pants were a great place to stash their chewed gum.  After a moment of seriously, why is this my life?, I rolled up my sleeves, did a little digging, and figured out how to deal with it without ruining my shirt.

So if you ever find yourself in a similar situation (you will at some point), here are a few tried-and-true ways to get gum out of clothes:

Method 1: The Freezer Trick (Best for: Large or thick fabric items)

What you need:

  • A plastic bag

  • Freezer space

  • A dull knife or spoon

Steps:

  1. Place the clothing item in a plastic bag, positioning the gum so it doesn’t stick to anything else.

  2. Pop it in the freezer for 1–2 hours, until the gum hardens.

  3. Once frozen solid, take it out and gently scrape the gum off using a spoon, butter knife, or even a credit card.

  4. If any residue remains, use a bit of rubbing alcohol or stain remover before tossing it in the wash.

I started with this method. I stuck the shirt in the freezer for about an hour (in a plastic bag, so it wouldn’t get gross). Once the gum hardened, I used the back of a spoon to gently scrape it off. Most of it came off right away, but there was still some stuck to my shirt.

Method 2: The Iron & Paper Trick (Great for: Thin fabrics or stubborn gum)

What you need:

  • A piece of cardboard or a brown paper bag

  • An iron

Steps:

  1. Lay the clothing item on an ironing board with the gum side down on top of the cardboard or paper bag.

  2. Gently iron the back of the fabric on medium heat.

  3. The gum will soften and transfer onto the paper.

  4. Repeat as needed with a fresh area of paper.

  5. Wash the clothing normally once the gum is removed.

Method 3: Peanut Butter or Oil (Surprisingly effective for dried-in gum)

What you need:

  • Smooth peanut butter OR coconut/olive oil

  • An old toothbrush or a cloth

  • Dish soap

Steps:

  1. Apply peanut butter or oil directly onto the gum — it breaks down the gum’s stickiness.

  2. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes.

  3. Gently rub with a toothbrush or cloth to lift the gum.

  4. Rinse thoroughly and apply dish soap to remove the grease before washing.

Tip: Test oil or peanut butter on a small hidden part of the fabric first to avoid staining.

I didn’t need this one this time, but in the past, I’ve tried rubbing a little peanut butter on dried gum; it works because the oils break down the stickiness. Just rub it gently with a toothbrush, then rinse well and wash with dish soap so your clothes don’t smell like a peanut butter sandwich after.

Method 4: Rubbing Alcohol or Vinegar (Perfect for lingering residue)

What you need:

  • Rubbing alcohol OR white vinegar

  • A cloth or cotton ball

Steps:

  1. Soak a cloth in alcohol or vinegar and dab the area where the gum was.

  2. Let it sit for a minute or two.

  3. Gently scrub any remaining residue.

  4. Launder as usual.

After the gum was mostly off, there was a faint sticky patch left. I dabbed it with rubbing alcohol on a cotton pad, let it sit for a minute, then gave it a gentle scrub. Worked like a charm,  no trace left!

FINALLY!

So next time you find a sticky surprise in the laundry basket, take a deep breath and try one of these methods.

You’ve got this!

Have YOU had this happen to your laundry, too?  Tell me your story in the comments, or share your favorite fixes!