How To Remove Gum From Shoes?

In this article, we will be sharing effective and quick hacks to remove chewing gum from your shoes. All of these hacks are easy. Moreover, you do not need any specialized solutions to apply these hacks to remove gum stuck in your shoes. You can apply these hacks to leather shoes or suede shoes as well.

How To Remove chewing Gum From Shoes?

How To Remove Chewing Gum From Shoe Soles?

Consider this scenario: you’re wearing your favorite pair of running or walking shoes. But then, as you step out onto the sidewalk, your foot sticks somewhat. You look at the bottom of your shoe and discover a large wad of bubble gum that will adhere to it every time your foot strikes the ground. Well, you go like that your day is ruined. We can feel you. Having chewing gum stuck under your shoes is a horrible feeling and for most, the day goes wrong. Do not worry! We are here to save your day by telling you how to remove gum from your shoes.

removing chewing gum from shoe

Even if it is fresh gum, these smart hacks will curb that gum away from your favorite shoes. Stuck gum has to be tackled very carefully. Otherwise, you will end up messing up the whole thing. You need to follow these hacks carefully to get gum off shoes in the best way.

Let us now begin with the hacks.

Use Ice Cubes

Yes! An ice cube can help you get gum off shoes efficiently. All you need is to follow the steps below correctly. You will need a plastic bag for this hack.

ice cube for shoe care

Using Ice Cubes To Fix A Gum Ridden Shoe

  • Fill a large plastic bag with ice cubes and place your shoe on top of them, gum-side down. Avoid allowing the ice cubes to go inside or around the shoe since this would result in it getting wet inside the plastic bag.
  • Keep the ice frozen. Use a food storage bag that can be zipped shut or tie the bag closed to keep it from melting too rapidly.
  • When you have completed the Ice Pack treatment, thoroughly press the ice onto your gums until they are frozen. You’ll only be able to peel off the chewing gum when it’s completely solid. This might take a while.
  • Remove the gum from the shoe after being frozen. Scrape off the hard, frozen gum with a dull butter knife or putty knife carefully. Move the blade slowly to avoid injuring yourself or the shoe.

Using Creamy Peanut Butter To Remove Gum From Shoes

Next up, we have peanut butter to get rid of excess gum from your shoes. Let us tell you how to do it.

peanut butter to remove gum

How To Remove Gum From Shoes Using Peanut Butter?

Follow the steps below to remove the stubborn gum using peanut butter.

  • Apply a thick and consistent layer of creamy peanut butter (about two teaspoons) to the gum, then let it sit for 10 minutes.
  • Scrub the peanut butter away. After ten minutes, use a wire brush to clean both the peanut butter and the gum away. It might take some elbow work, but the gum should also come off easily. Remember to scrub with the grooves of your shoe rather than against them, as this will avoid harming your footwear.
  • Remove any remaining peanut butter from the shoe. Scrub your shoe’s sole with a sponge under cold running water to remove any peanut butter residue.

Using Nail Polish Remover

Now, we have another easily available product to remove all the gum completely from your shoes. Yes, you can dissolve the whole gum using a nail polish remover. In fact, a nail polish remover can be used in a number of hacks.

nail polish

How To Remove Gum From Shoes Using Nail Polish Remover?

Nail polish remover that is acetone-based can also be used to remove chewing gum from the shoe sole. Soak a paper towel in the polish remover and massage it over the gum until it disappears. Just keep in mind that acetone might damage the finish on patent or suede shoes when utilized in this manner.

Using Lighter Fluid To Make The Gum Easier To Remove

Lighter fluid can also be used to dissolve any sticky substance such as chewing gum from the shoe. Let us find out how to do it.

lighter fluid against chewing gum

How To Use Lighter Fluid To Get Rid Of The Gum?

Rub naphtha on the gum, soaking an old towel or paper towel in it and applying it to the gum. The gum should begin to dissolve as a result of this treatment. Because naphtha is highly combustible, use caution while using it in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources.

Using Olive Oil For Removing Gum From Shoes

Now, we have olive oil to remove gum from shoes. Just follow the steps stated below.

oil shoe care

How To Use Olive Oil To Remove Gum From Shoes?

The steps are as below.

  • Rub olive oil on the gum. Do not get it on the shoe’s leather or suede if possible, as it may stain.
  • Leave the shoe and let the olive oil settle on the shoe.
  • Next, start rubbing off the oil using a paper towel.
  • Remove any excess gum with a pointed tool coated in olive oil.
  • The gum should now be clean. Appropriately dispose of it as necessary.

Use Compressed Air

Finally, we have the hack that involves compressed air to get rid of the gum.

How To Apply Compressed Air To Clean The Gum?

Spray the gum-infested region with compressed air to remove it. You can also use WD-40 for this hack if you have a particular type of material (or as long as the gum has merely adhered to the sole). Spray the gum with compressed air, causing it to solidify.

Then, using a dull knife or credit card, carefully scrape away the gum from the shoe. If your soles are textured, you may use a toothpick or tweezer to remove any residual glue.

There you go! Use any of these shoe care hacks and you will be good to go. Good luck from us at Footweardrobe!

Patricia Merken

Interior design blogger

Neat freak and shoe lover. American expat in Switzerland.
Blogger and mom. Blogs at Footweardrobe.

Frequently Asked Questions: How To Remove Gum From Shoes?

How to remove gum from shoes?

There are a few ways to remove gum from shoes. One is to use a blow dryer. Another is to freeze the gum and then peel it off. Ice cubes, creamy peanut butter, nail polish, compressed air or lighter fluids, are other home remedies to get rid of chewing gum on shoes.

How to remove chewing gum from leather shoes?

First, remove as much of the gum as possible with your fingers. If the gum is stuck to the shoe surface, you can use a blunt object like a spoon to scrape it off. Next, place a paper towel or cloth over the gum and using a hot iron, press down on the towel for about 30 seconds. The heat will cause the gum to melt and stick to the towel. If there is still gum residue left on the shoe, you can try using a solvent like nail polish remover or rubbing alcohol. Apply a small amount of solvent to a cloth and rub it over the affected area until the gum comes off. Finally, wipe the shoe clean with a damp cloth.