If the gum on your new leather couch or a jacket has somehow stuck to it, don't panic. A few things can damage leather since it is an anti-adhesive material. However, if gum is pressed onto the leather or when it melts onto the material, the situation can get pretty messy.

There are some effective methods that you can try to remove gum from your leather garments, leather shoes, or even leather bags. We've highlighted a few of them below. So, let's dive deeper into how to remove gum from leather using the best methods.

Ice method:

Freezing the gum can be one of the most effective remedies to save your leather accessory.

Wrap ice cubes or a pack of ice in plastic wrap or place it in a plastic bag.

Ice packs or wrapped ice cubes can be placed over the gum on the leather to cool it. You can begin chipping away approximately an hour after exposing the leather to extreme cold. A small metal spoon, a butter knife, or a credit card should be used for this purpose.

Apply saddle soap to the spot where you removed gum with a damp cloth, then lather it up.

You can scrub off any remaining gum with a toothbrush dampened with lukewarm water if any small pieces are left. Following these steps, you can remove the gum from the leather without damaging it.

Heat method:

What's the opposite of cold? Heat. So, let's try to get rid of the gum from your leather jacket or a couch. A hair dryer can be used to heat the gum to soften it.

The first step is to position the hairdryer nozzle on the affected area and then turn it up. Make sure the gum is evenly heated by spinning the nozzle slightly.

You can scrape off the gum with a spatula, butter knife, or credit card. The remaining gum can be rubbed off with an old, clean cloth rag if there's still some left. You should rub the gum off using circular motions so it comes off easily without touching the surrounding areas.

Following removal of the gum, use a leather cleaner and leather conditioner to clean and condition the affected area.

Peanut butter:

This may sound weird, but you'll be happy when it helps save your precious leather accessory.

The affected area can be treated with peanut butter by applying a small amount and letting it sit for a few hours. Use a clean cloth to wipe it off. With a sharp object, scrape off the gum from the affected area.

Peanut butter should come off along with the gum, then apply a leather conditioner to restore natural moisture. To prevent leather damage, it's necessary to ensure that the peanut butter oils don't end up damaging it.

Rubbing alcohol:

Rubbing alcohol can be an effective solution for removing gum from leather, but it's essential to use it carefully to prevent any damage to the leather's finish. Here's how you can use rubbing alcohol to remove gum from leather:

Before applying rubbing alcohol to the gum-affected area, test it on a small, hidden part of the leather to ensure it doesn't cause discoloration or damage.

Dampen a cotton ball or soft cloth with rubbing alcohol. It's critical not to saturate the leather. Gently dab the gum with a dampened cloth or cotton ball. Rubbing alcohol will break down gum adhesive properties.

Use a plastic scraper or a butter knife with a smooth edge to gently scrape off the gum. Hold the scraper at a shallow angle to the leather to avoid scratching it. Wipe the area to remove any residue from the gum and the rubbing alcohol.

Leather cleaner:

Apply a small amount of leather cleaner to a soft cloth or sponge. Ensure the cloth or sponge is only slightly damp, not soaking wet. Dab the gum with a damp cloth or sponge to moisten it with the leather cleaner.

Gently rub the gum with the damp cloth, applying light pressure. This will help break down the gum's adhesive properties. Use a scraper to scrape off the gum. If the gum starts to come off, continue gently scraping until it is completely removed.

Dampen a clean part of the soft cloth or sponge with leather cleaner, and wipe the area to remove any residue.

Lastly, use a dry and clean cloth to pat the leather dry after cleaning.

Conclusively, getting rid of gum is simple, especially if caught at the right time. Therefore, one of the above methods should be used to prevent permanent, long-term damage.