Disaster!

Kdubski

Kdubski

New member
Client has gum trampled into his carpet, worst thing is...ITS NOT FRESH! It's been in the carpet for well over a few years now and it looks kind of like the gum trampled into the sidewalks. I don't have steam cleaning technology available, any way I can remove this nuisance?!
 
WD40 is one that you can work into the area and it will lift with some work...OR..a ice cube will freeze it and allow you to take it off that might leave a small spot...I would also suggest that you use the search feature here...we have discussed this many times and there might be more solutions
 
Beemerboy said:
WD40 is one that you can work into the area and it will lift with some work...OR..a ice cube will freeze it and allow you to take it off that might leave a small spot...I would also suggest that you use the search feature here...we have discussed this many times and there might be more solutions
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Agreed with the ice cube trick... or the one I've always used is an inverted can of compressed air. It comes out as frozen liquid CO2 and flash freezes the area you pinpoint.
 
Our school system deals with this on a daily basis and they use a product made for this and it is like co2 it freezes it rock hard and you can pry it up.
If you do a search you should be able to find this stuff.
 
Kdubski said:
Client has gum trampled into his carpet, worst thing is...ITS NOT FRESH! It's been in the carpet for well over a few years now and it looks kind of like the gum trampled into the sidewalks. I don't have steam cleaning technology available, any way I can remove this nuisance?!
Click to expand...

OK-Finally I get to help out a little here. I am in the commercial cleaning business and have some experience with gum removal. We sell the "gum off" product that freezes the gum and allows you to scrape it away with a butter knife or stiff brush. The only advantage of the spray over the ice cube trick is that the janitor cleaning on the 12th floor goes not have ready acess to ice and he cannot carry it with him.

The more frozen the gum the more effective and complete the removal will be. The gum gets more brittle the more frozen solid it is. I have also had people tell me that that actually wack it with a hammer to shatter it after it is frozen and then scrape and brush out.

Good luck and take some pictures to that we can see the level of sucess you were able to achieve!

Jeff
 
Canned air (like for cleaning computers, etc) will work to freeze it. Hold the can upside down and spray. We used this trick all the time when I was a stock-boy at a local retailer and it worked like a charm.
 
You can also use Varsol (or some other solvent) to dissolve the gum. This works, but it may take a little time and elbow grease. (You need a cloth to rub the cleaner in as well as wipe off the residue, so make sure you have a decent supply handy. Also, wear gloves, as Varsol will dry out your hands.)
 
Big Leegr said:
You can also use Varsol (or some other solvent) to dissolve the gum. This works, but it may take a little time and elbow grease. (You need a cloth to rub the cleaner in as well as wipe off the residue, so make sure you have a decent supply handy. Also, wear gloves, as Varsol will dry out your hands.)
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Only concern I'd have there is, what kind of effect does the solvent have on the carpet fibers and backer that would also probably be saturated during the removal process?
 
Just another option for a product that works similarly to the compressed air cans, the Matrix product line includes Glacier Chewing Gum Remover with Freeze Action. I'm not sure if it available to you locally, or if you would need to order online. Check with a local janitor supply house if you have one or a flooring store, either might have something available.
 
Shiny Lil Detlr said:
Only concern I'd have there is, what kind of effect does the solvent have on the carpet fibers and backer that would also probably be saturated during the removal process?
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So far I haven't had to worry. I saturate the cloth then rub the gum, so the carpet gets minimal solvent action. I keep it as confined as possible.

And yes, one should use it in a well ventilated area.
 
Good to know about freezing it. I haven't come across this condition in a while but I'll know what to do next time. Thanks guys!
 
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