If you have kids, there is a high probability that they will leave some type of sticky mess on your car’s leather seats. In most cases, it is gum or some other type of candy. The question then becomes how to get the sticky mess off without damaging the leather seat. If you enjoy fast cars with buttery soft leather seats, this post may be helpful for you!
Different Methods to Remove Gum Off Leather Seats:
1) Ice Cubes
Ice cubes are a great way to remove gum from leather seats [1]:
- To use this method, you will need iced water and an ice cube tray (or any other container with holes for the melted water);
- First of all, place an ice cube on the spot where the gum is stuck;
- Next, press it gently but firmly against your car seat until the gum has been frozen stiff;
- Afterward, take out the small piece of chewing gum using either your fingers or a toothpick – both work equally well in this case;
An alternative solution would be freezing some alcohol onto an old credit card then rubbing off as much of it as possible without damaging anything else.
2) Hair Dryer
The best way to use a hairdryer is by using the “cool” setting. This is because high temperatures may ruin your leather seats:
- If you have any doubts about which settings to choose, then read your driver’s manual or consult with an auto technician;
- Start drying off the gum on leather car seat covers – hold it no more than one inch away from them and move the blow-dryer around slightly in a circular motion for 20 seconds at first (increase that time if necessary);
- Do not forget to turn off your vehicle immediately after completing this step; otherwise, you’ll be forced to repeat all of its previous steps again;
3) Soap Suds
Soap suds are an effective way to remove gum from leather car seats:
- First of all, apply some liquid soap onto the stained area and use a small brush or sponge to spread it evenly over them;
- Next, sprinkle salt into that wet mixture while stirring everything thoroughly with your hands (make sure you do not drop any pieces of dried-up chewing gum);
- Let this concoction sit for about 20 minutes. If needed, add more solution as soon as its color changes (i.e., when bubbles appear) – but make sure you never pour water directly on your car seat covers;
- Do not forget to pat down every single stain using either paper towels or clean rags before proceeding further;
- Otherwise, the soapy residue will attract dirt over time and your leather seats may become permanently stained as a result;
- Afterward, use a vacuum cleaner to suck up all of the suds – including the ones that are hidden underneath the car seat;
- Finally, wipe off any excess water with a dry cloth and air out your vehicle for about 15 minutes. If everything looks good then you’re done;
4) Peanut Butter
The next method to remove gum from leather car seats uses peanut butter [2]:
- First of all, smear some peanut butter onto the stained area;
- Next, use a clean cloth or sponge to spread it evenly over the surface and wait for about 15 minutes;
- Now, use another cloth (or paper towel) to firmly press the gum away. If there are any stubborn stains, you may use a toothpick to get rid of them;
- Wipe down your car seat covers with a damp cloth after they’ve been washed, and air out your vehicle;
5) Scotch Tape
Here is how you should use scotch tape:
- First of all, cut a piece of scotch tape that’s at least two inches wide;
- Next, stick it gently but firmly onto your car seat covers and leave it there for 24 hours. Do not forget to cover up any other areas where stains might appear afterward as well – you can use masking or duct/electrical tapes for this task;
- Afterward (after about 25-30 minutes), slowly pull out one side of the sticky layer then follow suit with its opposite edge. If needed do so again until finally removing everything from your vehicle in less than five minutes;
- Wrap another small part around a toothpick and use it to remove any remaining residues;
- Finally, give your car seat covers a good wipe down with a damp cloth and air out your vehicle;
6) Soap and Vegetable Oil
The next method to remove gum from leather car seats is soap and vegetable oil:
- Mix a tablespoon of liquid dishwashing detergent with a quarter cup of vegetable oil;
- Apply this solution onto the stained area and use a small brush or sponge to spread it evenly over them. Do not forget to scrub gently in order to loosen up the gum;
- Wait for about 15 minutes then take another piece of cloth (or paper towel) and press firmly against the gum until it comes off. If there are any remaining residues then you can use a toothpick to get rid of them;
- Afterward, give your car seat covers a good wipe down with a damp cloth and air out your vehicle. Do not pour water directly on your car seat covers;
7) Baking Soda Paste
Here is what you should do:
- Mix baking soda with enough water to form a thick paste;
- Rub the paste onto the gum and let it sit for about five minutes;
- Wipe away the paste and gum residue with a damp cloth;
If all else fails, you can always try using an adhesive remover to get rid of the gum. Be sure to test any products on an inconspicuous area of your leather seat first to make sure they won’t damage the surface.
Take note that these methods are not guaranteed to remove gum from leather car seats in just one try (even if they do work at times). If needed, consider trying out additional techniques and materials until everything looks clean again.
FAQ
1. How do you get dried gum out of upholstery?
The longer the gum has been on your upholstery, the harder it will be to remove. To begin with, you should try a warm water and soap solution followed by scrubbing gently with an old toothbrush or sponge. If this doesn’t work then you may need to resort to using a special product. However, remember not to use anything stronger than these products because they may damage leather.
2. How do you get hard gum off your car?
If you have gum on your leather car seats, the best way to get it off is by using a hairdryer. Use it and blow hard onto the gum while slowly scraping away at it with your fingers. The heat from the dryer will help soften up the sticky part of the hardened gum so that you can easily scrape it off without causing any damage to your seat material or yourself for that matter!
If you find that the gum is too tough to remove with your fingers, then a second option would be using some kind of solvent. A couple of examples of solvents include WD-40 and acetone. If you choose this route for removal, make sure that it’s not just water by spraying on a bit first if necessary!
3. Does WD40 remove gum from leather?
The use of water is also recommended because it softens, loosens, and removes chewing gum. Because it hardens as soon after being sprayed with WD40 as toothpaste, which makes it easier to remove. Use a butter knife or other flat-edged tool to scrape off the chewing gum after spraying with WD40 [3].
4. How do you get gum off faux leather?
To remove gum from faux leather, use a toothbrush and some vinegar. Dip the brush into the vinegar and start scrubbing at the gum until it comes off. If the gum is really stubborn, you can also try using rubbing alcohol. Just make sure to test it on an inconspicuous spot first to make sure that it doesn’t damage the material!
5. Can you use Goo Gone on leather seats?
Goo Gone is safe to use on most materials, including wood, carpet, glass, fabric, and sealed stone. The manufacturer warns against its usage on the following surfaces: silk, leather, and unfinished wood [4].
6. Does nail polish remover ruin leather?
Nail polish remover is a solvent that can dissolve adhesives. It is not recommended to use on leather seats as it may strip the finish and damage the surface of the material. Leather needs to be conditioned and protected with a sealant or protector after cleaning in order to keep it looking new.
The advantage of non-acetone nail polish remover is that it won’t bleach your leather seats, but it may not be strong enough to remove the stain [5].
7. Does acetone harm leather?
If your nail polish remover doesn’t work, you can try acetone, but it may cause the leather to become brittle and crack. Test this in an inconspicuous spot before using it on the entire seat. Acetone is a strong solvent that can dissolve adhesives, so it’s great for removing stickers or gum. Just make sure to buff the area with a leather conditioner afterward to keep the leather from becoming brittle.
8. How do you get dried gum out of upholstery?
Try using the edge of a butter knife to scrape off as much gum as possible. If that doesn’t work, you can try covering it with wax paper or aluminum foil and placing an iron on top for about 5 minutes. This will help soften the gum and make it easier to remove.
If you can’t get rid of that pesky piece of old gum, try a little nontoxic dish soap with warm water. You should also use clean tools rather than rinsing them off in your sink or using dirty ones on other parts of the car. This way you won’t transfer any dirt or residue onto another part of your vehicle!
9. What can dissolve chewing gum?
A few household items can help dissolve chewing gum. These include: vinegar, rubbing alcohol, nail polish remover (non-acetone), and Goo Gone. Just be sure to test any of these products on an inconspicuous spot before using them on your leather seats! You may need to use more than one product to completely remove the gum. Once it’s gone, make sure to condition and protect the leather so it doesn’t become dry.
If you’re looking for a more natural way to remove gum, try using heat and water. Apply heat from a hairdryer or use hot water to help soften the gum so that it can be easily scraped away. Be careful not to damage your seat material!
Useful Video: Remove Chewing Gum from Leather
References:
- https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-remove-gum-from-leather/
- https://leathermilk.com/remove-chewing-gum-from-leather-2
- https://www.tipsbulletin.com/how-to-remove-gum-from-leather
- https://googone.com/blog/does-goo-gone-work-on-that
- https://www.wikihow.com/Remove-Nail-Polish-From-Leather
