Getting rid of chewing gum stains can be tricky. It’s a cleaning nightmare, but it happens more often than you think. In fact, over 100,000 tons of chewing gum are consumed each year worldwide.

Although gum doesn’t stick to leather unless it’s melted or pressed down with a heavy object, it won’t come off easily once it clings to it.  Whether it’s on your leather sofa, car upholstery, or shoes, removing gum without damaging the material requires careful handling.

We’ll walk you through proven leather cleaning techniques and when to consider professional dry cleaning for stubborn cases.

The Icing Method: A Simple Fix for Leather Cleaning 

One of the best tricks for leather cleaning is the icing method. You don’t need to be Queen Elsa from “Frozen” to use ice when you’re in trouble. Take an ice cube and rub it on the gum stain. This will freeze the gum and harden it, enabling you to chip it away easily.

Don’t rub the ice directly on the leather. Instead, use an ice pack or place the ice cube inside a sealed plastic bag to prevent the water drops from damaging your leather. When the stain is hard enough, scrape it away with a hard, flat object like a butter knife or a credit card. Don’t use anything with a sharp edge; you don’t want to risk gouging your leather.

 

Bring Peanut Butter to the Rescue!

If ice didn’t help, peanut butter may.

Get an all-natural peanut butter apply a small amount to the area where the gum is stuck and allow it to sit. After a couple of minutes, wipe it off with a clean, damp piece of cloth, and clean the area off of any moisture. Apply a leather conditioner when it’s done.

Note: Make sure to cover the entire stain with peanut butter but avoid using it in excess as peanut butter oil can stain some types of leather if it’s applied for too long.

Blow It Away with Your Hair Dryer

Bring your hairdryer to the highest temperature, point the nozzle at the gum stain, and turn it on. Keep blowing in a circular motion until the gum softens. Use a flat hard-edged object to scrape off the gum when it’s soft. If you aren’t successful in cleaning the entire thing in one go, repeat the process on the leftover gum stain; this time, rub a dry cloth on the soft gum in circular motions. This will turn the remaining gum into tiny balls, allowing you to easily clean them off.

Clean the affected area with leather cleaner and apply a leather conditioner after the process is completed.

Go For Professional Dry Cleaning

Opt for professional dry cleaning when the gum has deeply penetrated the leather or if you’re dealing with sensitive materials. Leather can be fragile, and professionals know the right treatments to maintain its integrity.

Regularly clean and condition your leather using proper leather conditioners to keep it supple and prevent stains from sticking permanently.

Are you stuck with a gum-y situation? Get in touch with us.

Sterling Cleaners offers expert leather cleaning via professional dry cleaning services in Washington DC, to help you maintain the longevity of your items. Call us at (202) 785-1444 today!

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