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How do I remove gum from my car’s carpet?

Is there a way to remove gum from my carpet without any leftover residue? I accidentally stepped on some gum while running some errands today. I didn’t realize that had happened until I got in my car and saw the gum stuck on my car’s carpet.

avatar
Phoebe Mah · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
Sounds like you are in a sticky situation!
Whether the gum is still soft or has dried, you can remove it from your car carpet.
Follow these instructions to get a gum-free car
carpet
again:
  • Use WD-40 to freeze the gum until the gum hardens. This should take a few minutes. Remember to also spray the area where the gum meets the carpet.
  • Once the gum is hard, use a fork, rag, or small scrub brush to scrape the gum off the carpet. If the gum will not budge, you may need to use a pair of scissors to cut out some of the gum to remove it.
  • Use a vacuum for any residual pieces. There may be some smaller pieces of gum that are stuck to the fibers of the carpet, making it difficult to pull out. Use a vacuum to suck up these smaller particles.
To prevent future messes from sticking (sorry for another pun), consider using heavy-duty rubber floor mats. Carpet material is prone to trapping dirt and dust and requires more time to clean any mess. Conversely, you only need soap and water to clean a rubber floor mat. Hopefully, this helps get that gum out easily — good luck!
If you’re looking for other ways to clean up car ownership, review your car insurance policy. Paying for a high premium can leave you feeling like you are in a sticky situation, but getting your auto insurance from the
Jerry
app will help. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, Jerry gathers personalized quotes, helps you switch plans, and will even cancel your old policy. The average Jerry driver saves $879 a year on car insurance!
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