Chewing gum and furniture appear to attract one another, especially with children in the home. Since gum is so pliable, parts of it remain stuck to this microfiber sofa fabric even if you’re in a position to get rid of a whole lot of the sticky material. A couple of gum removal tricks from your stain-treatment arsenal — regular household supplies — assist remove that gooey mess without damaging the sofa fabric’s fibers.
Frozen in Time
A gooey chewing gum mess on such microfiber sofa becomes much more of a problem if left to sit some time, as it might spread or become adhered to clothes too. An ice cube placed over the gum for a couple of minutes hardens it enough to pull it off. Pull off what comes up readily, then apply more ice until you’ve removed as much as possible. A butter knife scrapes off pieces that are tough to pull off. Ice may also be set in a plastic zipper bag to store the water off the sofa as the ice melts, resulting in less litter. To get a tech-worthy ice treatment, spray the gum with a can of compressed air typically used to clean computer keyboards. This may freeze the gum immediately, allowing it to be chipped away.
Vinegar Vanishing Act
Warm vinegar helps loosen gum from the sofa fibers. Pour an inch or so of white vinegar to a microwave-safe container like a glass measuring cup, then heat for 30 to 45 seconds. Dip a soft white cloth into the vinegar, then hold it atop the gum for a moment or so. A rubber glove on one hand helps tighten away the gum, since the rubber grips the gum slightly. Dab a fresh moist cloth over the gummed place after cleaning to remove the vinegar.
Gooey Gum Remover
A citrus-based cleaner intended for removing sticky residues from a number of surfaces helps break gum and loosen its grip on the microfiber. Apply a small amount into a fabric or cotton swab, then dab directly onto the gum and allow it to sit for a couple of minutes. Lift in the gum with a rubber glove to pull it off, or scrape with the edge of a butter knife. Dab a paper towel and then a moist cloth over the area afterwards to remove what is left of this cleaner. If worried about possible discoloration of the sofa, test the goo remover in an inconspicuous area first.
Treat With Heating
Sometimes, removing gum from microfiber involves making the gum much more gooey. Place a plain brown paper bag over the gum, then run a warm iron over the paper with no steam, moving the iron around slightly over the area. Lift the paper frequently to determine whether the gum has moved to the paper. If so, tear off and discard the area and repeat the ironing process with a fresh area of the bag to remove any gum.