Commercial Pressure Washing chewing gum removal

Commercial properties suffer from a lot of wear and tear as well as vandalism. Perhaps one of the more annoying things customers can leave, though, is gum. Chewing gum removal can be a headache, but it doesn’t have to be.

 

The Importance of Professional Chewing Gum Removal Services

Chewing gum is a sweet treat, and more than 160 million Americans enjoy it. But, not everyone will dispose of gum properly. They can stick them to the back of chairs, under tables, and even on the walls of your property. This not only leads to a dirtier environment but can also make other clients upset when they inadvertently touch old gum.

While you can try to remove years’ worth of gum, if you don’t know how to do it properly, you risk ruining your furniture and walls. Plus, chewing gum can be hard to remove, often leaving small amounts of excess gum on the surface.

This is where commercial chewing gum removal services come in. Professionals know exactly what to do and have access to sophisticated machines that help remove gum efficiently. They also have more experience and knowledge, which means they know what methods to use for every type of surface. This minimizes damage and maximizes gum removal.

 

Where Is Chewing Gum Usually Found in Commercial Properties?

Commercial establishments come in all shapes and sizes, so it really depends on what type of business you have. For instance, there are more places to hide chewing gum in denser environments or more littered establishments. Generally, though, you will find chewing gum stuck to the following surfaces:

  • Carpets. Whether they fall out of the mouth accidentally or stuck onto them intentionally, carpets see a lot of chewing gum traffic. And it is notoriously harder to get gum off of soft surfaces than hard surfaces.
  • Furniture. Under tables and chairs, on the side of sofas, underneath counters — you name it. Commercial establishments often find gum in these places.
  • On the Walls. More daring customers stick gum right on the walls of commercial properties for everyone to see. This creates an uncomfortable environment, as just about anyone can accidentally brush against the sticky substance.
  • On the Ground. Some people just spit gum right out onto the ground without a care in the world. Other times, gum can get stuck on shoes and be brought to your store floor.

 

How to Remove Chewing Gum

Chewing Gum Removal from Carpet and Upholstery There are different ways to remove gum depending on the surface type.

Below, you will learn how to get gum off fabric materials such as carpet and upholstery, as well as other materials like glass and concrete. All of these methods, though, call for rubber gloves so that you can protect your hands from gum residue.

 

Chewing Gum Removal from Carpet and Upholstery

Here is how to remove chewing gum from carpet materials and upholstery:

  • Remove as much of the gum as you can using your gloved hands.
  • Take a bag of ice cubes and place it on top of the gum to harden it.
    • Alternatively, you can soak a cloth in oil and rub it over the gum spot for about 10 minutes. Make sure the oil is safe to use on the fabric.
  • Using a scraper or butter knife, scrape the excess gum away. If it does not scrape off all the way, repeat the previous step.

 

Chewing Gum Removal from Plastic

Here is how to remove gum from plastic:

  • Remove as much of the gum as you can using your gloved hands or a scraper.
  • Much like chewing gum removal for carpet and upholstery, you can use an ice pack or an oil-soaked cloth to place on top of the area with the gum. Allow the gum to harden (when using an ice pack) or weaken (when using oil).
  • Scrape off any excess gum using a scraper or butter knife. Repeat the previous step if necessary.

 

Chewing Gum Removal from Wood

Here is how to remove gum from wood:

  • Remove as much of the gum as you can using your gloved hands or a scraper.
  • Take a bag of ice cubes and place it on top of the gum to harden it. This will take about 10 minutes.
  • Using a scraper or butter knife, scrape the excess gum away. If it does not scrape off all the way, repeat the previous step.
  • Use a wood cleaner to clean off any residue from the area. Wipe it down afterward.
  • Fix any scratches left on the wood surface.

 

Chewing Gum Removal from Glass

Here is how to remove gum from glass:

  • Remove as much of the gum as you can using your gloved hands.
  • Take a bag of ice cubes and hold it against the gum area until the gum hardens.
  • Using a single-edged razor blade, gently scrape off any excess gum away.
  • Remove any waxy residue using a clean cloth dipped in a solution consisting of water and white vinegar (1:1 ratio).
  • Scrub the glass using the cloth and wash away any excess vinegar solution.
  • Using a separate clean cloth, wipe the area to dry it.

 

Chewing Gum Removal from Vinyl

Here is how to remove gum from vinyl:

  • Take a bag of ice cubes and place it on top of the gum to harden it.
  • Using a scraper or butter knife, scrape the excess gum away. If it does not scrape off all the way, repeat the previous step.
  • After removing all the gum, use a cloth dipped in warm water and dish soap to wipe the surface. Then, use another cloth dipped in warm water to clean off any soapy residue.

 

Chewing Gum Removal from Tile

There are a few ways you can remove gum from tiled surfaces, such as:

  • Scraper method. Use a plastic or rubber scraper to scrape off the gum.
  • Oil method. Apply oil to the gum area to weaken it before scraping it off using a plastic or rubber scraper. You can also use peanut butter in lieu of oil since it is easier to work with.
  • Ice method. Harden the gum using a pack of ice cubes before scraping off the hardened gum using a rubber or plastic scraper.
  • Heat method. On the lowest setting, use a blow dryer to heat up the gum, slowly going over it until it softens. Then, use a plastic or rubber scraper to remove the gum. Finally, use a water and vinegar solution (1:1 ratio) to clean off any residue before drying it off with a clean cloth.

 

Chewing Gum Removal from Concrete

There are a few ways you can remove gum from concrete surfaces, such as:

  • Scraper method. After the gum has dried, use a putty knife to scrape it right off. This method, though, might damage the concrete surface when done improperly.
  • Alcohol method. Scrape as much of the gum off as you can before applying denatured alcohol to the gum area. Let it stand for five minutes, then use a metal scraper to remove the excess.
  • Ice method. Harden the gum using a pack of ice cubes before scraping off the hardened gum.
  • Detergent method. This method only works for gum residue after you have removed most of the gum itself. Mix a cup of hot water and half a tablespoon of dishwashing liquid detergent. Then, take a bristle brush soaked in the detergent solution and scrub the area to remove gum residue. Finally, rinse off the surface with water.

 

How Commercial Pressure Washing Can Help

Commercial Pressure Washing | chewing gum removal services Removing gum yourself is certainly a possibility, but a lot of things can go wrong along the way. You might use the wrong method or materials, leading to damage and injury.

Pressure washing, though, is a great way to remove gum without the hassle.

A pressure washer sprays water with such force that it can literally blast away any gum stuck to the surface. It can also use hot water, which is more effective in gum removal. Although pressure washing is not the best method for surfaces such as glass and carpet, it is the recommended method of gum removal for concrete, brick, wood, and vinyl surfaces.

Pressure washing machines are readily available for purchase or rent at any home improvement store. But, if you don’t intend to use them regularly, it makes more financial sense to hire a professional service to do it for you. Additionally, pressure washing professionals already know the right pressure level (PSI) and the best cleaning solutions to use depending on the surface material.

 

Call on the Professionals

Chewing gum removal is easy if you already know what methods to use, where the gum is hiding, and if there are only a few of them around. But, if you want to remove gum efficiently and in large amounts, it is best to hire a professional service.

Washh offers commercial property gum removal services in addition to a wide range of other services. When it comes to pressure washing, Washh experts always come out on top. Call us today at 704.321.8000 or contact us online for a free estimate.

 

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