How to Get Gum Out of Clothes, Even After the Dryer
LaundroMaps Team
Harden the gum with ice, scrape off as much as you can with a dull knife, then work a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid into what is left, rinse and launder (American Cleaning Institute lists exactly these steps for adhesives). Keep the garment out of the dryer until every trace is gone, because NMSU Extension warns that heat sets stains.
Key takeaways
- Harden first: ice makes gum brittle, so it lifts instead of smearing.
- Scrape with a dull knife or spoon, never a sharp blade.
- Pretreat what is left with a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid, then launder.
- Do not use the dryer until the gum and its residue are gone, because heat sets stains.
- Test any remover on an inside seam first, and never mix removers.
- If gum already went through the dryer, repeat the whole process rather than adding heat.
How do you get gum out of clothes?
Ice is the first step in the gum guides we read, because cold gum is brittle and comes off in pieces. Oregon State University Extension gives a six-step sequence, and University of Georgia Extension and the American Cleaning Institute agree on the opening moves.
- Harden it. Hold ice against the gum, or put ice in a bag on top of it, until it is stiff ( (American Cleaning Institute; University of Georgia Extension)).
- Scrape off the excess. Use a dull knife and lift the gum away from the fabric ( (Oregon State University Extension)).
- Pretreat. Spray a pretreatment aerosol or saturate the spot with a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid ( (Oregon State University Extension; American Cleaning Institute)).
- Scrub. Work in a heavy-duty liquid detergent, then rinse, and repeat the pretreatment if gum remains ( (Oregon State University Extension)).
- Launder. Wash as the care label allows. The American Cleaning Institute says regular stains usually come out in cold water, and to use the warmest water safe for the fabric only on tough ones ( (American Cleaning Institute)).
Check the garment before it goes in the dryer. If any gum or sticky film remains, repeat the steps first ( (American Cleaning Institute)).
Can you get gum out of clothes after the dryer?
Yes, but expect to repeat the steps. NMSU Extension says heat sets stains and that you should not dry a stained fabric, so gum that has been through a dryer is harder to lift than fresh gum ( (NMSU Extension)).
Start again at the top: chill the spot with ice, scrape what you can, pretreat the residue and launder. American Cleaning Institute advises repeating the removal process if the stain remains, and never putting the item back in the dryer until the stain is gone ( (American Cleaning Institute)).
Gum that has spread across a load needs the same treatment piece by piece. Check every item, and clean the drum too (see below) so the gum does not transfer to the next load.
What removes dried gum and sticky residue?
After scraping, the film left behind needs a product that loosens the gum, not more rubbing. The guides we read name these options ( (American Cleaning Institute; University of Georgia Extension; Oregon State University Extension; NMSU Extension)).
| Option | What the guide says | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid | Saturate the spot, rinse, then launder ( (American Cleaning Institute)) | Washable fabrics, the default step |
| Pretreatment aerosol plus heavy-duty liquid detergent | Spray, scrub, rinse and repeat as needed ( (Oregon State University Extension)) | Residue that survives the first pass |
| Commercial fabric cleaner | Place the stain face down on an absorbent cloth, sponge, and change the cloth as it picks up gum ( (University of Georgia Extension)) | Fabrics you would rather not saturate |
| Dry-cleaning agent | For dry-clean-only fabrics, use only a dry-cleaning agent or ask a dry cleaner ( (NMSU Extension)) | Dry-clean-only labels |
Test whatever you choose on an inside seam or hem first, and do not mix removers, especially ammonia and chlorine bleach ( (NMSU Extension)). Provide good ventilation with commercial cleaners ( (University of Georgia Extension)).
Will WD-40, vinegar, rubbing alcohol or toothpaste work on gum?
None of the extension or association guides we read recommend vinegar, rubbing alcohol, toothpaste or peanut butter for gum. They point to ice, scraping and a prewash remover or cleaning fluid instead ( (American Cleaning Institute; University of Georgia Extension; Oregon State University Extension)). Home remedies may work on some fabrics, but we could not verify them, so we do not give amounts or times for them.
For solvent sprays and goo removers, two cautions come from the guides. University of Georgia Extension says to read the care label first and pretest every cleaning agent on an inconspicuous area for colorfastness ( (University of Georgia Extension)). Its page also notes that spot removers such as Goo Gone contain petroleum distillates or hydrocarbons ( (University of Georgia Extension)), so patch-test first.
For the scrubbing step, Oregon State University Extension calls for a heavy-duty liquid detergent worked in after the pretreatment ( (Oregon State University Extension)).
Is it safe to put clothes with solvent on them in the dryer?
Not while they are wet with a flammable product. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says clothing contaminated with flammable liquids should not be machine washed or dried, but spot cleaned and line dried, and it warns that gas-fired dryers can ignite flammable vapors ( (U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission)).
Read the label on any spray or gum remover. If it says flammable, rinse and air-dry the area first, and only then launder the garment.
What about delicate and dry-clean-only fabrics?
Follow the care label. University of Georgia Extension says never to use a product or procedure the label prohibits ( (University of Georgia Extension)). For dry-clean-only fabrics, NMSU Extension says to use only a dry-cleaning agent or ask a dry cleaner for help ( (NMSU Extension)).
Silk, wool and anything you cannot test safely are better handled by a dry cleaner. Tell them it is gum and bring the item before it goes anywhere near heat. For washable pieces you still cannot clear, professional stain removal is the next step. Our stain removal guide covers the general rules for other stains.
How do you get gum out of a dryer drum?
Unplug the dryer, freeze the gum and chip it off. GE Appliances says to apply ice to harden soft gum, then gently scrape or chip it from the drum with a wooden spoon, and to unplug the dryer before any cleaning ( (GE Appliances)).
It also says pre-wash products can leave an oily residue on the drum if not rinsed thoroughly, so wipe the drum clean after using one ( (GE Appliances)).
At a laundromat, do not scrape a shared machine yourself. Tell the attendant or post the machine number so they can clean it. If you need a clean machine nearby, find a laundromat near you. Our dryer safety guide has more on what belongs in a dryer.
Frequently asked questions
How do you get dried glue off clothes?
The American Cleaning Institute treats adhesives like gum: apply ice or cold water to harden the surface, scrape with a dull knife, saturate with a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid, rinse and launder.
Does vinegar dissolve gum?
None of the extension or association guides we read recommend vinegar for gum. They recommend ice, scraping and a prewash stain remover or cleaning fluid.
Will rubbing alcohol remove gum from clothes?
The guides we read do not list rubbing alcohol for gum. Use ice, scraping and a prewash remover, and test any solvent on an inside seam before you use it.
Will Goo Gone remove gum from clothes?
None of the clothing guides we read name it. The University of Georgia's page lists it among spot removers made with petroleum distillates. Check the care label and test an inside seam first.
Will Dawn remove gum from clothes?
Oregon State Extension recommends scrubbing with a heavy-duty liquid detergent after pretreating, so a liquid detergent is a fair second step. It does not remove hard gum on its own, so harden and scrape first.
Can WD-40 be used to remove chewing gum stains from clothes?
None of the clothing guides we read recommend it, and it is a flammable solvent spray. Read the can's label, patch-test the fabric, and follow the flammable-liquid advice above before the item goes near a dryer.
How we researched this
We read the American Cleaning Institute stain guide, extension guides from New Mexico State, Oregon State and the University of Georgia, GE Appliances' dryer-drum instructions and a U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission alert, and cited six sources. We prioritised universities, agencies and associations over product sites. We did not lab-test any method or product, and the guides do not cover vinegar, rubbing alcohol or toothpaste, so we leave out amounts and times for them. Reviewed October 14, 2026.
Sources
- American Cleaning Institute -- Stain Removal Guide
- New Mexico State University Extension -- Removing Clothing Stains (Guide C-502)
- University of Georgia Extension -- Remove Stains From Chewing Gum
- Oregon State University Extension Service -- Focus on the 4-H Clothing Project (Oregon 4-H Science Rich Handbook)
- U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission -- Flammable Liquids Safety Alert (Publication 5140)
- GE Appliances -- Dryers - Removing Stains or Gum From Interior
Related guides
- Glue and tree sap: the same harden-and-scrape approach for hot glue and sap.
