How to remove chewing gum or wax stains

Change its state before you try to remove it: freeze gum, melt wax.

Method

1. 1

   Freeze or melt

   Freeze gum until brittle, or place brown paper over wax and press with a warm iron.

2. 2

   Lift

   Crack and pick gum away; blot melted wax into the paper.

3. 3

   Treat residue

   Dab any remaining shadow with isopropyl alcohol after a patch test.

4. 4

   Wash

   Launder per the care label.

What makes it worse

• Do not pull warm gum — it strings into the weave
• Do not iron directly onto wax

Last reviewed 2026-09-01. Your item's care label always takes priority.