8 Ways: How to Remove Gum from Leather Shoes

If you own a pair of leather shoes, it’s because you love them or they were someone’s gift to you. Whichever is the case, leather shoes are expensive, and quality leather shoes are more expensive. Imagine the frustration that becomes the order of your day when you step on gum while in those shoes. Even more annoying is that you’re not responsible for the chewing gum you stepped on most of those times.
While it’s okay to get angry, staying angry won’t fix your day or your shoes. Do you know what will? Knowing how to get gum off of leather shoes. [You must read this if you have other problems of cleaning leather shoes: How to Easily Clean Leather Shoes with Household Products]

You’ll walk confidently in yours when you know how to get gum off leather shoes. However, getting gum off of leather shoes can be intricate. You must be careful with the process, or you might do worse to your shoes. Fortunately for you, I have provided below a list of how to get gum off leather shoes. So how do we go about it?

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8 Ways To Get Gum Off Patent Leather Shoes

You can choose to use any of the following 8 Ways to get leather off leather shoes.

Using Creamy Peanut Butter

With this method, you’ll need some peanut butter, a sponge, a wire brush, and water.

Apply two teaspoons of peanut butter to the gum on your shoes. Apply in such a way that the layer of peanut butter is evenly spread over the gum.
Allow the peanut butter to sit on the gum for 10 minutes.
Using the wire brush, scrub the gum and peanut butter off the shoes after 10 minutes. The direction of scrubbing should be with the shoe’s grooves rather than against them. This will ensure you keep your shoes intact.
You’ll notice that some peanut butter and gum residue will remain on the shoes. So soak a sponge in the water and scrub the residue off.
You’re good to go!

Using Ice Cubes

For those who didn’t do elementary chemistry, gum hardens when it’s frozen. Then, you can easily peel the gum off when it’s solid. Therefore this is a very effective method of getting gum off leather shoes. This method teaches how to get gum off leather purses and other leather products too. This is because the effect of ice on gum on leather is general.

You’ll need a plastic bag, some ice cubes, and a dull knife.

Fill the plastic bag with some ice cubes. A storage plastic bag is the best choice because it’ll keep the ice cubes frozen longer.
Put the shoes into the plastic bag. Note that the side of the shoe with the gum on it should be touching the ice cubes. Ensure that you don’t let the cubes get into the shoes. Water and leather are not many friends. Hence avoid that combo unless necessary.
You can put the plastic bag in a freezer. It’s good because it’ll keep the ice cubes frozen in the bag. However, if the gum is small, you can choose not to put the bag in the freezer.
It might take a while, but you must wait till the gum has completely hardened.
When the gum must have hardened, say anywhere between 30 minutes and an hour, it’s time to scrape it off. Use the dull knife ( a dull butter knife or putty knife) to peel off the gum from the shoes. Be careful not to damage your shoes. It’s better to scrape off the gum gently and one-directionally.
You can also freeze the gum without the ice cubes. Here, put the shoes in an empty plastic bag. Ensure that the plastic bag is pressed firmly against the gum. Then place the bag in the freezer for 2 hours. After two hours, the gum will adhere to the plastic and peel off as you take the shoes out.
You’re good to go!

Using WD-40

WD-40 work on the same fundamental principles as the ice cubes above. That is, WD-40 hardens gums, thereby making them easy to clean off. It’s even more convenient than ice cubes because it’s quicker and requires less effort. [What is WD-40?]

Spray the affected area with WD-40.
Use a dull knife to scrape off the gum.
Wash off any residue with a leather cleaner.
You’re good to go!

Using Nail Polish Remover

Using nail polish remover is also technical know-how to get gum off leather purses and other leather products. The nail polish remover here must be acetone-based. This is because acetone can dissolve the gum. However, it may damage the finish of your shoes.

Here, you’ll need a paper towel and an acetone-based nail polish remover.

Soak the paper towel in the nail polish remover.

Apply the soaked paper towel over the area of the shoe with the gum on it. You must apply it until all the gum disappears.

You’re good to go!

Using A Hair Dryer

The ladies are smiling now because almost all of them have hair dryers. Yay! In addition to a hair dryer, you’ll need a dull knife.

Connect your hair dryer and set it on high heat.
Point the dryer’s beak, mouth, or nozzle at the gum area on your shoes.
Dainaround the gum area with the dryer in a circular motion. This is to ensure that you spread heat evenly through the affected part. Do that until the gum gets soft.
Switch off the dryer and set it aside.
Using a dull knife (butter or putty knife), scrape off as much gum as you can from the shoes.
Pick up the dryer, switch it on, set it to high heat, and point at the leftover you’re not responsible for the chewing gum you stepped on most of those times
Wipe the area under treatment in circles with a dry cloth until tiny gum balls form.
Wipe away the tiny balls.
Since heat takes away moisture, your shoes will become less moisturized. You can use a leather conditioner to moisturize your shoes again.
You’re good to go!

Using Olive Oil

You must use this method with care. That is because olive oil can leave a stain on leather. Therefore, you must use this method only on gum under your shoes, not on top. You’ll need some olive oil, a dull knife, and a paper towel.

Dip a paper towel in some olive oil.
Rub the olive oil on the gum area without getting it on the leather.
Using another paper towel, rub off the olive oil from the treated area.
Rub some oil on the dull knife.
Scrape off any residue from the affected area using the dull knife.
You’re good to go!

Using Soap Suds

You can loosen the gum attachment to your shoe by applying soap suds to the gum.

Put soap (preferably leather soap) into a bucket of water and mix until it foams.
Apply the foam to the gum area on your shoes and let it sit for 10 minutes.
Using a dull knife, scrape off as much gum as you can.
Soak a sponge in the soapy water and scrub off any gum residue from the shoes.
Dry the shoe with a cloth.
Apply leather conditioner for color restoration.
You’re good to go!

Using Lighter Fluid

Lighter fluid usually contains butane. Butane, like acetone and other organic compounds, can dissolve the gum. However, butane and other lighter fluid components are highly combustible. Hence, ensure you carry out the process in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources.

Apply your lighter fluid to the gum using a paper towel.
Rub the paper towel over the gum area until the gum dissolves.
Wipe off the area with a clean paper towel.
You’re good to go!

The above hacks have proven extremely helpful in my experience. They will prove helpful for you as well. However, you can only use some of the above methods. You should dedicate yourself to one or two methods so your shoes can avoid adverse effects. Depending on what sticky substance your shoe mostly comes in contact with, you can choose which to use.

Chewing gum is the commonest sticky substance your shoes will come in contact with. To remove chewing gum, I recommend the ice and peanut butter method. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can use the nail polish remover and soap method.

It involves a complex chemical process, but oils effectively remove gums. That is why the peanut butter method exists. Gum is usually soluble in oil, except the gum has been hydrated. In a process known as degumming, you can only see hydrated gum in the food industry.

[MUST READ: 3 Ways: How to Shine Your Shoes?]

How to Get Gum Off of Leather Shoes FAQs

1. Is WD-40 effective against gum?
WD-40 ‘freezes’ gum, making it hard and easy to remove. Therefore, it is effective.

2. Can I use rubbing alcohol to remove the gum on my shoes?
Using alcohol on your shoes is not advisable because it’ll damage them severely.

3. Does peanut butter work against gum?
Yes, it does. Peanut butter is hydrophobic due to the oil in it. This means that it is not water friendly. Anything that reduces water in gum makes the gum weaker.

4. What is the fastest yet safest way to remove gum from your shoes?
Spread peanut butter over the gum area, leave it to sit and wipe it off.

5. I use peanut butter to remove gum from my shoes. Will it work for my bag?
Yes, it will. Most methods to remove gum from your shoes can also work for other leather products.

Thank you for taking the time to read through it. Remember to comment below if you have something to add or ask. Let me know what method you find most helpful.

Learn more shoe tips with Sizzey!