Chewing gum in the fabric
Short answer: Put the garment in the freezer for an hour. The chewing gum turns hard and brittle, and then it can be snapped off instead of pulling threads. You dab the rest off with rubbing alcohol, and then wash the garment as usual without heat.
Why freezing works
Chewing gum is soft and sticky at room temperature. When frozen it turns hard and loses its stickiness, which is why it can be snapped off without pulling at the fibres. If you try to pull it off while it is soft, it follows and drags threads out of the fabric, so the stain gets bigger and harder.
Step by step
Put the garment in a bag in the freezer for an hour, so the gum freezes right through. Take it out and snap the gum off straight away while it is still hard. Use the edge of a fingernail or the back of a spoon and work slowly so you do not pull at the fabric. See bamboo pajamas for men.
Use an ice pack instead
If the garment is too big for the freezer, put an ice pack or ice cubes in a bag on top of the gum. Leave it until the gum is completely hard, then snap it off. It takes a little longer but works the same way, and you can do it while the garment lies on a table.
Do not start while it is soft
It is tempting to pull it off at once, but that pulls threads with it. If the gum is soft, wait until you have frozen it. While you work, the warmth of your hands can soften it too, so take breaks and put the garment back in the freezer if it turns sticky again.
The rest with rubbing alcohol
Once the main part is gone, small traces often remain. Dab rubbing alcohol onto a clean cloth and let it work for a moment. Alcohol dissolves the sticky residue so it can be wiped off. Test on a hidden spot first if you are unsure whether the colour can take it, and rinse well afterwards.
A greasy shadow afterwards
If a greasy shadow is left, treat it with washing up liquid before you wash the garment. Work washing up liquid into the fabric with your fingers and leave it for twenty minutes. Then rinse and wash the garment as usual following the care label. Repeat if the shadow is still there before it goes in the dryer.
No heat until it is gone
Avoid warm water, the iron and the dryer until the gum and all traces are gone. Heat can melt it and spread it into the fibres, and then it is almost impossible to remove. Look at the fabric in daylight after washing, and treat again if anything is left. See also bamboo sweatpants for men.
On seats and in bags
Chewing gum often ends up on benches and seats you have sat on, and then it sticks to your trousers. Take them off as soon as you notice, and use the same freezing method. If it is on a surface that cannot be washed, it is better to ask the maker than to guess and risk damaging the material.
One simple tip at the end
Be patient and take it in small steps. Chewing gum can seem like a big problem, but with a freezer and a little time it often comes off completely. If you need new everyday clothes, have a look at bamboo clothing for women, which is soft and easy to look after, even after a stain.
Frequently asked questions
Does an ice pack work instead
Yes, if the garment is too big for the freezer. Lay the ice pack on the gum until it is completely hard, then snap it off before it can turn soft again.
Can you pull the gum off while soft
No. It pulls threads out of the fabric, and the stain gets bigger and harder to remove. Wait until the gum is frozen and hard, and snap it off instead.
What if a greasy shadow is left
Treat it with washing up liquid before washing. Work it into the fabric, leave it for twenty minutes, and rinse before the garment is washed as usual, finishing without heat.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
