Do not wash your garment after you notice a stain. Washing the fabric sets in the stain and makes it harder to remove. If you’ve already washed the fabric before you noticed the sticky substance, removing the stain will take more work.
If you’ve already washed the fabric, you might not be able to scrape much off.
You can also use cotton balls to blot the stain if you do not have a soft brush.
If the removal product does happen to stain your garment, choose another removal product. Test this new product in another inconspicuous area to make sure it doesn’t stain.
Dish soap WD-40 Rubbing alcohol Peanut butter Vegetable oil Nail polish remover with acetone[3] X Research source Goo-Gone or another product made specifically to get rid of goo
For more liquid products, like nail polish remover, soak a cotton ball and then dab it on the fabric. [5] X Research source
If the clothing has been through the wash, you’ll most likely need to do some scrubbing in order to lift up the adhesive.
You will also need paper towels for this method.
This method works well for sticky substances, like the adhesive on the back of stickers, that have been put through the wash.
Some fabrics can burn more easily than others, like polyester or acetate. The paper towels should prevent the iron from burning your fabric, but be careful and use another method if you start to burn the fabric.
You can put the garment into a freezer safe plastic bag as long as the sticky substance does not touch the bag. You can freeze any type of fabric without damaging it.
You may be able to use your fingernails to pry off the gum as well.
Once the stain is fully removed, you can wash the garment.
