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How to Remove Chewing Gum From a Bed Comforter

Christina Riopelle

Cleaning instructions vary for bed comforters. Some are washable, while those with ornamentation require dry cleaning. Chewing gum contains several ingredients that can be hard to remove from a comforter. Artificial dyes, sugars and polymers make selecting a cleaner difficult.

Peanut butter is a popular remedy, but will potentially create more mess. A simple method involves ice and household staples to remove the gum.

  1. Cool gum with an ice cube. When the gum is cold to the touch and begins to harden, scrape it off with a plastic spoon.

  2. Apply one teaspoon of extra strength BenGay, or blot with a citrus solvent.

  3. Heat the residue with a hair dryer.

  4. Place the polyethylene food wrap over the gum. Scrape and lift the gum off with your fingers. The plastic will act as a barrier to collect the gum.

  5. Mix one teaspoon dish soap and one cup of warm water. Blot the solution on the gum.

  6. Rinse the affected area with warm water.

  7. Tip

    Polyethylene food products include plastic sandwich bags and bread bags. Plastic cling wrap should not be used, as it may tear or bind. Citrus solvent is commercially known as GooGone or Citra-Solv.

    Warning

    Refrain from using laundry detergent as a substitute for dish soap. Some detergents contain brighteners that could potentially discolor the fabric. Do not use peanut butter. In this case, it may exacerbate the problem and stain the fabric.