Your child somehow got gum on his clothing, and you're wondering how to get it out. All you need to get gum out of clothing is a bit of ice. But don't wait too long because it's much harder to remove gum once it dries.

Method 1

This method is most suitable for thick or bulky clothing.

What you need:

  • Ice cubes
  • A freezer bag
  • A blunt-edged knife

Here's what to do:

  1. Put some ice cubes in the freezer bag.
  2. Place the bag on the gum until the gum hardens. Alternatively, rub an ice cube on the gum until it hardens.
  3. Scrape the gum off with the knife [source: Getting Gum Out of Thick or Bulky Clothes].

Method 2

This method is suitable for delicate clothing.

What you need:

  • An ice cube (or a freezer)
  • A plastic bag
  • A toothbrush

Here's what to do:

  1. Pull off as much as gum as you can with your fingers.
  2. Wrap the garment in the plastic bag. Put it in the freezer until the gum hardens. Alternatively, rub an ice cube on the gum until it hardens.
  3. Pull off as much gum as you can, be careful not to damage the material.
  4. Scrub the area gently with the toothbrush to remove any remaining gum [source: Getting Gum Out of Delicate Clothes].

Method 3

It's best to do this at a sink or in a bowl.

What you need:

Here's what you do:

  1. Center one cube underneath the garment, directly below the gum. There should be as little material as possible between the ice and the gum.
  2. Balance the second ice cube carefully on the gum, directly over the first ice cube.
  3. Wait about 30 minutes or until the gum is very cold.
  4. Remove the ice cubes.
  5. Place the garment on a flat surface. Scrape off the frozen gum with the non-serrated edge of the knife. Pre-treat the area where the gum was with the soap or detergent. Wash the garment normally [source: Getting Gum Out of Clothes with Ice and Soap].