Gum camouflages garlic breath, curbs a sweet tooth and acts as a bribe for children. It also has an uncanny ability to bond instantly with the fibers of your carpet, initially seeming impossible to remove. Dislodge the sticky mess and eliminate any stains left behind using basic white distilled vinegar, a natural and effective solution.
1
Wrap a handful of ice cubes in a clean kitchen towel and hold it against the gum for about five minutes. Change out the ice and repeat this until the gum is very hard. Do not saturate the carpet with melted ice.
2
Hit the frozen gum with the back of a metal kitchen utensil, breaking it into pieces. Vacuum up the pieces thoroughly, approaching the area from varying directions.
3
Mix a vinegar solution depending on your carpet material. For delicate carpets or area rugs, combine 1/4 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar with 4 cups of water. Mix a 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1 cup of water to clean synthetic carpets. Combine 1/2 cup of vinegar with 1/2 cup of water for natural fiber rugs.
4
Dip a clean cloth in your vinegar solution and dab at the remaining gum residue. Do not rub. Once the spot is saturated in the vinegar solution, let it sit for 15 to 20 minutes.
5
Wet a clean cloth with cool water and dab at the stain again, rinsing away the vinegar. Let the carpet dry thoroughly. Repeat this process until the stain disappears.
6
Point a box fan directly toward the wet portion of the rug and turn it on, speeding the drying process. A carpet that takes too long to dry is prone to developing mildew.