How to Get Dried Bubble Gum Off Your Skin
According to the International Chewing Gum Association, there are five main ingredients in each stick of chewing gum. They include the gum base, preservatives, flavoring and sweeteners and softeners. It is the gum base that makes the gum sticky and soft enough to chew. Children who are not careful can end up getting the gum stuck to their face, hands or other skin surfaces. Fortunately, there are some techniques that are effective at removing dried gum from human skin 1.
Pour 1/2 tsp. mineral oil over the gum. Work the mineral oil in to the gum and surrounding skin. This will soften the gum so that you can slide it off of your skin and discard it in the trash.
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Crack an egg and remove the yolk. Spread the egg white over the gum and nearby skin. Let the egg white sit on the gum for five minutes. Work the gum off your skin with your fingers.
Smear peanut butter across the gum and then work it under the gum. Slide the wad of gum right off the skin and toss in the trash.
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Heat 1 tsp. vinegar in the microwave for 10 seconds. Check to make sure it isn't too hot, and then cover the gum and surrounding skin with the warm vinegar. Watch as the vinegar begins to eat away at the gum.
Wash away any leftover gum residue from your skin with grease-fighting dish soap and warm water.
Tips
If you get any gum on your clothing, place the clothing item in the freezer to harden the gum. Remove the clothing from the freezer and peel the gum away.
Mayonnaise is a great substitute for the mineral oil.
Warnings
Don't try to remove the dried gum without first softening it. You will pull the hairs on your skin that the gum is attached to.
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Writer Bio
Alicia Bodine has been a professional writer for 13 years. She has produced thousands of articles for online publications such as Demand Studios, GoBankingRates and WiseGeek. Bodine is passionate about gardening, travel, education and finance. She has received awards for being a top content producer.