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How to Remove Gum from Shoes: Step-by-Step Guide

Ever had the nasty surprise of stepping on gum while walking around the city? Yes, same here. And let’s be real—scraping that sticky mess off is the worst. Even worse? If you try to clean it with water, you might just end up with soggy, damaged shoes.  

But what if you could dodge both the gum struggle and the whole wet shoe situation?  

Enter Vessi shoes. These 100% waterproof wonders mean no more stressing over gum removal disasters. Just slip them on, and boom—dry, comfy, and stylish all day long. Plus, they have top-notch cushioning and support, so your feet stay happy no matter where you're headed.

Vessi shoes

But wait, there’s more! Vessi shoes aren’t just waterproof and comfy—they’re also eco-friendly and perfect for anything from a casual stroll to a full-on workout. Whether you're dodging city sidewalk gum or just need an all-day go-to shoe, Vessi’s got you covered.  

Already dealing with a gum-covered shoe? No stress! We’ve got some easy tricks to help you get that sticky mess off—whether it’s fresh or has been stuck there forever. Let’s get into it!

How to Remove Gum from Shoes

Chewing gum is meant to be sticky, so yes—getting it off your shoe is never fun. But when it happens (because, let’s be real, it always does at the worst times), there are a few ways to tackle it. The trick is picking the right method for your shoe type since some ways work better than others. Let’s break it down!

1. Freeze the Gum

One super simple way to get gum off your shoes? Freeze it! Yep, just let the cold do the work for you. It’s easy and mess-free, and all you need is a plastic bag and a freezer. Here’s how:  

  1. Bag it up: Stick your whole shoe in a plastic bag (a clean one, no need for a fresh new bag). If the shoe doesn’t fit, just press the gum-covered part against the bag instead.

  2. Press it down: Hold the bag against the gum for a few seconds. This helps the process work better.

  3. Freeze it: Pop the bagged-up shoe in the freezer for 1–2 hours. The cold will harden the gum and make it stick to the bag.

  4. Scrape it off: Once it’s frozen solid, take the shoe out and peel or scrape the gum right off.

The longer you leave it in the freezer, the easier it’ll be to remove—so be patient!

2. Use Ice Cubes

Use ice cubes

Image Credit: wikihow.com

Another super easy trick? Ice cubes! All you need is some ice, a plastic bag, and something to scrape with. Here’s how it’s done:

  1. Grab some ice: Toss a few ice cubes into a plastic bag.

  2. Chill the gum: Press the ice bag onto the gum, but make sure your shoe doesn’t get wet.

  3. Freeze it solid: Hold the ice there until the gum hardens completely.

  4. Scrape it off: Once it’s rock hard, use a butter knife, flat spoon, or anything dull to peel it right off.

Easy, right? Just a little patience and that sticky mess is gone!

3. WD-40

Just like the freezer trick, WD-40 helps loosen stuck stuff—only this time, with solvents and lubricants instead of ice. But heads up! WD-40 isn’t great for suede or other absorbent materials since it can leave stains.  

Also, once you’re done, be sure to rinse your shoes since WD-40 can mess with plastic and rubber over time.  

Here’s what you’ll need: WD-40, a paper towel, and a spray bottle. Now, let’s get that gum off:  

  1. Spray it: Hit the gum (not the whole shoe) with some WD-40.

  2. Let it sit: Give it a few minutes to break down the stickiness.

  3. Wipe it off: Once the gum loosens up, use a paper towel to wipe it away.

  4. Repeat if needed: If there’s still some residue, spray again and wipe until it’s gone.

That’s it! Quick, easy, and no more sticky mess.

4. Peanut Butter

Peanut butter

Image Credit: wikihow.com

Another easy fix? Peanut butter and a wire brush! It sounds weird, but the oils in peanut butter break down the gum, making it way easier to remove.

Here’s how to do it:

  1. Slather it on: Grab about 2 tablespoons (or more) and spread a thick layer over the gum.

  2. Let it chill: Give it at least 10 minutes to work its magic.

  3. Scrub away: Use a wire brush to work off the gum and peanut butter.

  4. Go with the grooves: Scrub in the direction of the sole’s grooves to avoid messing them up.

  5. Rinse it off: Hold your shoe under running water (sole facing up) and wash away any leftover peanut butter.

Boom—good as new!

5. Olive Oil

Olive oil

Image Credit: pinterest.com

Another way to loosen up chewing gum is by using olive oil on the sole of your shoe. Just keep in mind, it can stain other parts of the shoe, so be careful where you apply it. For this, you’ll need some olive oil from your kitchen, a spoon with a pointed end, and a paper towel.

Chewing gum is made with plastic or rubbery materials, and the oils inside it give it that chewiness. If the gum picks up more oil, it becomes less sticky and easier to remove. This method is pretty similar to using peanut butter and works great if you don’t have that on hand. But don’t use olive oil on suede or leather shoes—it’ll leave a stain!

  1. Rub the gum with some olive oil and let it sit for a few minutes—it’ll help loosen it up and make it less sticky.

  2. Once it’s had time to work, grab a paper towel or any cloth that can soak up the oil and gum and start wiping it off.

  3. If the gum’s still being stubborn, dip a pointy tool (like a spoon) in the olive oil. This will keep your shoe from getting too oily.

  4. Then, just keep scraping with the tool until all the gum is gone!

6. Hair Dryer

If you don’t want to freeze the gum, you can go the other way and soften it up with a hair dryer.

  1. Just grab the dryer, point it at the gum, and turn on the heat.

  2. Once it starts softening, use a butter knife or spoon to test how the gum’s feeling.

  3. When it’s nice and pliable, it should come off pretty easily.

  4. Finally, use a paper towel to wipe away any leftover gum bits.

7. Stick and Sand

For this one, all you need is a stick and some sand. It’s perfect if you’re out and about—working, traveling, or just walking on the streets—and need to deal with fresh gum. The sand works like a scrub for your shoe sole. It might take a bit of time, but you can do this anywhere there’s dry sand.

Just be careful not to rub it onto the shoe fabric since it could cause some damage.

Here’s what you do:

  1. Take off your shoe and sprinkle dry sand over the gum.

  2. Grab the stick and use it to rub the sand deep into the gum, breaking it into smaller pieces.

  3. Keep adding more sand and rubbing until the gum comes off.

  4. Make sure to rub quickly and continuously so the gum doesn’t dry up and get harder to remove.

That’s it—gum-free and ready to go!

8. Dissoble Chewing Gum

dissolving chewing gum

There are a few things you can use to get gum off your shoe, like lighter fluid and a cloth or rag. Lighter fluid (also called naphtha) works well, but since it’s flammable, make sure you're in a well-ventilated area and stay far from heat sources.

You can also use nail polish remover, which is easier to get your hands on. Just make sure to test a small amount on your skin first to make sure it doesn’t cause any irritation, as it can sometimes stain or damage shoes.

Here’s what to do:

  1. Grab a rag or cloth and dip it into the lighter fluid.

  2. Rub the cloth on the stuck gum, and you’ll see the gum start to dissolve.

Easy, but be careful with the stuff you’re using!

Conclusion on How to Remove Gum from Shoes

As you can see from our article, getting gum off your shoes doesn’t have to be a huge hassle. With the methods we’ve shared, you can say goodbye to that sticky mess and hello to a clean sole.  

But if you’re into the classic ways, or if you like to get creative, there are plenty of other options to try. And hey, if nothing works, just keep a spare pair of our Vessi shoes on hand—especially when you're walking through gum-covered streets!

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