Sometimes a gum chewer has left gum on the table, sometimes
it gets stuck, and sometimes nobody notices for months or
years until after it's long dried on! Here are some ways to
get the gum off.
!! Steps !!
!! Fingernail Polish Method !!
* Take a face (toweling) cloth and put a few drops of fingernail
polish remover on the cloth.
* Rub the fingernail polish remover in well, but not
completely. You might not be able to get it off if you do it all
the way.
* Rub the gum gently. It will eventually come off.
* Wipe down and polish as usual.
!! Water And Fingernail Polish Method !!
* Run some warm tap water and wet a cloth. Put 1 or 2 drops of
fingernail polish remover on the cloth.
* Rub the gum until it comes off.
* Wipe down and polish as usual.
!! Essential Oil Or Vegetable Oil Method !!
* Use an essential oil such as eucalyptus oil or ti-tree oil.
Alternatively, ordinary vegetable oil from your pantry might work
as well as an essential oil; it won't harm the finish of the wood
table but it might not have as much removal power as an essential
oil depending on the gum contents. If you're prepared to use elbow
grease though, it will probably work.
* Dampen a cleaning cloth with water. Pour drops of the
oil onto the gum.
* Rub at the dried-on gum with the cleaning cloth. Pick away at any
lifted pieces.
* Continue until all residue of gum is removed. Polish the wooden
surface as usual.
!! Peanut Butter Method !!
* Place peanut butter on the gum.
* Leave for a few minutes to allow the oil to soak in.
* Rub off with a cleaning cloth. If you're lucky, the oil from the
peanut butter will have soaked in, reacted with the gum, and
lifted it off.[1]
!! Ice Cubes Method !!
* Place a handful of ice into a plastic bag that can be sealed.
* Add a pinch of salt on the ice and shake around. Seal
the bag.
* Wrap the bag in a face washer or small hand towel.
* Rest on the hardened gum. Leave for 10 minutes.
* Remove and pry off the hardened gum with your fingers or a piece
of paper.
!! Commercial Solvents !!
* Purchase a commercial solvent that can be applied to
wood. Common ones often rely on orange oil ingredients. If the gum
in question is actually tree sap, there are also commercial
removers available for that purpose. Inquire at your local
hardware or cleaning supplies store.
* Apply according to the instructions provided with the product.
!! Solvent And Scraper Method !!
If the gum has been on the table for a really long time and won't come
off with normal methods, you might need to use a scraper as well. Be
aware that this carries a very high risk of damaging the wood surface
or polish but if you're handy with sandpaper and varnish and this is a
renovation job anyway, you can often repair such damage.
* Apply whichever solvent preferred from above.
* Try to lift with a cleaning cloth and your fingers.
* Use the scraper as a last resort.
* Sand and varnish the surface again if possible. Polish.
!! Glass Coffee Table !!
* Use rubbing alcohol or an essential oil such as
eucalyptus or ti-tree oil.
* Dampen a cloth slightly. Add some drops of essential oil to the
dried on gum.
* Rub over the gum vigorously until it starts to lift. Pull away at
it with your fingers.
* Repeat process if needed to remove last sticking pieces.
* Wipe down clean. Use your usual glass table spray to polish.
!! Tips !!
* These methods will also work on other wood furniture.
* With fresh gum, it can help to place a single ice cube over the
hardened gum before attempting to lift it; rub the ice across it
to harden the gum, then scrape it off with a cloth or a blunt
knife.
* Use a folded magazine page to pry under the gum when trying to
lift it off; it's stronger than paper towel or newspaper.
!! Warnings !!
* Do not rub too hard! Doing so can cause damage to your table.
* The success of this article will depend on the type of gum
involved, and how long it has been stuck on the table.
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
*
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