Archive for the ‘Shoe Repair’ Category
Removing Gum From Your Shoe
We have all done it at one point or another. We may not have even noticed it as it happened. But when one of our shoes starts making a “thwick thwick” noise as we walk, it is clear that we have picked up an errant wad of gum on the sole of our shoe. Regardless of how careful you try to be when walking, there is so much gum on sidewalks and roadways that you are likely to pick one up sooner or later.
Trying to get gum off the sole of your shoe is never a fun task. The more you pull at it, the more it coats your fingers- and still stays on your shoe. It may seem harmless and will eventually wear off but leaving it be increases the chances that it will get on to the uppers of its twin. Gum can be much more difficult to get off of leather or canvas than a rubber sole.
There are two basic methods for removing gum from shoes. Both are effective and you can choose one or the other, depending on your personal preference.
The first method of removing gum from shoes is to freeze it off. You can do this either in an upright or chest freezer or by using ice cubes. Either way, put the shoe into a plastic grocery bag. Press the gum against the bag’s surface, ensuring that it sticks. Leave the shoe on a flat surface in the freezer for two hours to let the gum freeze. Take it out of the freezer at the end of the two hours and carefully remove the bag. When you get to the part of the bag that is stuck to the sole, grab the bag area that is closest to the gum and tug hard. Most of the gum should come off onto the bag and release from the sole. Any frozen bits of gum that remain on the shoe can be gently chiseled off with a butter knife. Be careful to not damage the treads of the sole with the knife or any other implement you use to remove the gum.
Using ice cubes to freeze the gum follows the same principal. Wrap the shoe in a bag, firmly pressing the bag against the gum. Set the shoe carefully onto ice cubes in a bowl. To prevent the ice melting and the shoe sinking into the water, you can put the ice cubes into a freezer bag and seal them up. Just place the shoe onto the bag, ensuring good contact between the gum and the ice. Remove the gum once frozen as above.
The second method of removing gum from your shoe is using WD-40. Wrap a bag around your shoe upper to make sure that you don’t get any oil on to it. Spray a small amount onto the gum. Wait a moment, then remove gently with a butter knife or flat-head screwdriver. Wipe off any excess oil from the sole.
While you may not be able to prevent getting gum on the bottom of your shoe, you can definitely get it off with a little perseverance.