How to Remove Gum Stains from Shoes

Everyone has stepped on chewing gum at least once – and it’s definitely not a pleasant experience, especially when your shoes are brand new. Luckily, there are some tricks to get that sticky gum off the soles of your shoes. Grab a friend to help you follow these steps!

Place the shoe in a plastic bag. Put the shoe with the gum stain inside a plastic bag, like the kind used for groceries or food storage. The bag doesn't need to completely cover the shoe, just make sure the part with the gum is wrapped inside the bag.

Press the plastic bag onto the gum. Firmly press the plastic bag onto the gum for a few seconds. You need to let the gum stick to the bag before freezing it; otherwise, this method won't be effective.

Place the shoe in the freezer. Find a spot in the freezer to place the plastic-wrapped shoe. If the shoe doesn’t fit entirely in the bag, it’s best not to let it touch any food items to avoid contamination with germs and bacteria.

Leave the shoe in the freezer for one to two hours. This will allow the gum to freeze onto the plastic bag. Once frozen, remove the shoe and the bag from the freezer.

Take the shoe out of the plastic bag. The gum should now be stuck to the plastic bag instead of your shoe, and your shoe will be free of the sticky gum!

Fill a plastic bag with ice cubes. Place your shoe on top of the bag, with the gum-stained part facing down. Be sure to avoid letting the ice cubes get inside or around the shoe, as this could cause it to get wet.

Keep the ice frozen. To prevent the ice from melting too quickly, seal the bag with a zipper or tie the top of the bag securely.

Press the ice onto the gum until it hardens. You can only remove the gum once it has frozen solid. It may take a little while, so be patient!

Once the gum has hardened, scrape it off the shoe. Carefully use a butter knife or spatula to gently scrape the frozen gum off the shoe. Move slowly to avoid cutting the shoe or injuring yourself.

Spray WD-40 on the gum. Get a can of WD-40 (available at most supermarkets and cleaning supply stores) and spray it directly on the shoe sole, covering the gum. Allow it to sit for at least a minute to loosen the adhesive bonds of the gum.

Wipe off the gum. Use a paper towel, cloth, or rag to wipe the gum off your shoe. It should come off easily. If not, spray again and give it another try.

Clean the shoe. Once the gum is removed, take a clean paper towel or rag and wipe the shoe again to remove any remaining spray residue. Dispose of the rag or paper towel once done.

Apply peanut butter. Spread a thick layer of peanut butter (about two tablespoons) over the gum, then let it sit for approximately 10 minutes.

Remove the peanut butter. After 10 minutes, use a wire brush to scrub both the peanut butter and the gum off the shoe. You may need to put in some elbow grease, but the gum will come off as you scrub.

Clean the shoe. Hold the shoe under cold water and use a sponge or cloth to clean off any leftover peanut butter residue.

Find a wooden stick and some dry sand. This method is particularly effective if you're outdoors and step on fresh gum that’s still soft and sticky. All you need is some dry sand (or dirt) and a small wooden stick.

Sprinkle a bit of sand around the gum. Take off your shoe and sprinkle a little sand over the gum. Use the wooden stick to rub the sand into the gum – it will start to break apart.

Continue adding sand and scrubbing. As the gum begins to loosen, sprinkle more sand over it and keep scrubbing. The sand acts as an abrasive, helping to remove the remaining gum stuck to the shoe sole. Keep repeating this process until the gum is almost completely gone. It may take some time, but it's better to work quickly to prevent the gum from drying and becoming harder to remove.

Use lighter fluid. Dip a piece of old cloth or paper towel into naphtha and rub it onto the gum. The gum will start to break down and come off. Be sure to use naphtha in a well-ventilated area, away from any heat sources, as naphtha is highly flammable.

Use nail polish remover. The acetone in nail polish remover can also help melt gum from your shoe. Dip a cloth or paper towel into the remover and rub it on the gum until it disappears. Be cautious when using this method on leather shoes, as acetone can damage the finish of glossy or suede leather.

Apply olive oil to the gum. Be careful not to get the oil directly on leather or suede shoes, as it can leave behind hard-to-remove stains.

Let it sit for about a minute.

Wipe off the oil with a paper towel.

Use an object with a pointed end dipped in olive oil to remove the leftover gum pieces.

You're done! The gum is now removed. Be sure to dispose of the gum properly.