The easiest way to get gum out of clothes is to toss it in the freezer for an hour, scrape it off with a dull knife, and brush away any remaining gum particles.

Ever had that sinking feeling when you realize you've sat on gum—or found a wad stuck to your favorite shirt? It's a sticky situation, but we've got you covered.

Gum is tricky to remove from clothes because it's made up of synthetic rubbers, resins, and softeners that give it that characteristic sticky, stretchy texture. These components bond tightly with fabric fibers, making gum particularly stubborn to remove.

But here's the good news: with a bit of science on your side, you can bid farewell to that sticky mess. We've got six easy techniques to get gum out of your clothes—using basic household items you probably already have on hand. Each method works by altering the gum's physical properties—whether by freezing, heating, or breaking down its molecular structure—to weaken its grip on your garment.

Ready to un-stick yourself from this predicament? Learn the top six gum-busting methods that'll have your clothes gum-free in no time.

Freeze It Off

Ever noticed that gum hardens when it's cold? It's all about molecular movement. When you freeze gum, the molecules that comprise it slow down, making it brittle. So freezing your clothes makes it easier to break the bond between the gum and the fabric fibers for easy removal from your clothes.

1. 1. Pop your gum-stuck garment in a plastic bag for about an hour.
2. 2. Scrape off the gum using a dull knife, credit card, or any flat, rigid edge.
3. 3. Brush away any remaining gum particles from the fabric—when frozen, they should be pretty easy to remove.

Your kitchen freezer won't hurt most fabrics, so this is a safe option for any gum-laden garment.

Pro tip: Try putting an ice cube directly on the gum for a few minutes. It won't be as effective as a full freeze, but it might be enough for some fabrics if you've got to run out the door.

Boil It Out

While freezing makes gum brittle, heat does the opposite—it softens gum up. When gum gets hot, it's more pliable and easier to separate from your clothes.

1. 1. Place your gummy garment in a large, heat-safe bowl—like a mixing bowl.
2. 2. Carefully pour boiling water into the bowl, ensuring to cover the spot with gum on it.
3. 3. Let it sit for a minute or two until the gum softens.
4. 4. Scrape the gum off gently with a butter knife or spoon.

Caution: This method isn't for all fabrics. Skip it for delicates like wool, silk, or anything with a "cold wash only" label. These can deteriorate or warp when exposed to high heat.

And don't put your clothes directly in a pot of boiling water on the stove. The pot's bottom can get extremely hot and damage any garment. Using a separate bowl gives you more heat control and keeps your clothes safe.

Use Rubbing Alcohol

Rubbing alcohol is a powerful solvent that can break down the sticky polymers in gum. It dissolves the gum's structure, making it lose its grip on your clothes.

1. 1. Dab a clean cloth or cotton ball onto the gum and the clothes it's on.
2. 2. Let it sit for about a minute.
3. 3. Pull it off with a piece of duct tape.
4. 4. Repeat if necessary until you've got all the gum off.

After the gum is gone, rinse the area with cold water and toss it in the washing machine with a laundry pod to remove any lingering alcohol smell.

Caution: This method works best on durable fabrics like denim or cotton. Avoid using it on delicate fabrics, including synthetics, rayon, silk, or wool—alcohol can damage these fibers, causing shrinkage or discoloration.

If you're unsure how your fabric will react, test the alcohol on an inconspicuous area first. This is especially important for dyed fabrics, as alcohol might affect certain dyes, particularly natural ones.

Soak It In Vinegar

Vinegar's acidity makes it a surprisingly effective gum-removal agent. The acid works to break down the gum's sticky components for easy removal.

1. 1. Warm up distilled white vinegar in the microwave.
2. 2. Dip a cotton swab or cloth into the warm vinegar.
3. 3. Gently rub the vinegar into the gum and surrounding fabric.
4. 4. Let it sit for a couple of minutes to give the acid a chance to break down the gum.
5. 5. Use a butter knife or spoon to scrape off the loosened gum.

Once the gum is gone, wash your garment as usual to neutralize any vinegar smell and leave your clothes smelling fresh.

Note: While vinegar is generally safe for most fabrics, it can cause fading when used at full strength. If you've done any home clothes dyeing, you might know that vinegar is often used to set dyes. But at this concentration, it can have the opposite effect. To be safe, test this method on a hidden part of the garment first.

Rub It With Dish Soap

Dish soap isn't just for your plates and cutlery—it's also great at tackling gum stuck on clothes. The surfactants in dish soap are designed to break down oils and sticky substances, making them helpful for gum removal too.

1. 1. Squeeze a small amount of dish soap directly onto the gum.
2. 2. Use your fingers or a soft cloth to work the soap into the gum and fabric.
3. 3. Let it sit for a few minutes.
4. 4. Scrape it off with a dull knife.
5. 5. Rinse your clothes with water to remove any soap residue.

Pro tip: Opt for a clear, uncolored dish soap to avoid staining your garment. The last thing you want is to trade a gum problem for a dish soap stain.

Iron Out the Gum

Your iron can be your ally in removing gum from your clothes by melting the gum and transferring it to another surface.

1. 1. Set your iron to medium heat—too hot can damage your clothes.
2. 2. Place a piece of cardboard on your ironing board.
3. 3. Put your garment gum-side down on top of the cardboard.
4. 4. Press the iron onto the back of the garment where the gum is stuck, holding for about 10-15 seconds. Keep still to avoid spreading the gum.
5. 5. Lift to check if the gum has transferred to the cardboard.

Pro Tip: Skip this method for delicate materials like silk, wool, or anything with a "do not iron" label. The heat could damage these fabrics.

Laundry Day Doesn’t Have to Be a Sticky Situation

There are a bunch of ways to get gum out of your clothes, but only one laundry detergent that infuses them with luxury fragrances so you smell, you know, like an adult—not a laundromat. That's Laundry Sauce.

Once you've removed that sticky mess from your clothes, throw them in the wash with our laundry pods infused with luxury scents like French saffron, Italian bergamot, and Indonesian patchouli. Say goodbye to that blue "spring fresh"-smelling goo and indulge in the world's best-smelling laundry detergent.