For gum that is really sticky and shoes that don’t have flat soles, you might want to try one of the following methods. In any case, always use something other than your fingers to handle the gum. Anything that comes into contact with the gum should be something you’re going to throw away.
1. Freezing it - This method was made famous in a Simpson’s episode where Lisa gets gum stuck in her hair… so they freeze her hair and then try to pound it out with a hammer. Hehe. I’ve tried this method by taking a ziploc bag full of ice, applying it to the gum for awhile and then digging it out with a chopstick. It SORT OF works, but tends to leave a bit of gum residue still stuck to the shoe, especially in the nooks and crannies of the sole.
2. Rubbing Alcohol and Paint Thinner - Some people swear by this method. The basic idea is to get some on a swab and use that to get the gum covered in the substance. After a quick soak, the gum should be more removable with a chopstick. Supposedly this works for clothes as well. Only trouble is, that a lot of these substances will make the item smelly. I guess if it’s on the bottom of your shoe it’s not so bad though.
3. WD-40 - This common automotive spray seems to be a favorite, mostly because it’s in a spray can, often with a thin spray nozzle tube that allows for easy application only to the affected area. You use it similar to the rubbing alcohol, but once again the smell is an issue.
4. Kleenex Pack - I can’t remember where I read about this. I think it was in a forum somewhere. Anyhow, this was interesting because it recommended taking one of those disposable tissue packs with the outside plastic wrapping left on it, and then stepping on it with the gum-infected shoe. Supposedly, the gum with stick to the outside plastic and because the kleenex allows the plastic to “press into” the nooks and crannies, it tends to get the gum out better. I haven’t tried this method, mostly because I don’t have those disposable tissue packets. But it seems like you might be able to do the same with some tissues in a ziploc bag. I have my doubts about this method, though.
Interesting Fact: The word “Gumshoe” refers to a private detective nowadays, but where in the world did that come from? It turns out that it is NOT referring to tenacious private investigators who STICK to the clues and suspects until they solve the case. It actually refers to a special type of shoe that was being worn in the late 1800s. These were boots made out of “gum rubber” which gave them the added advantage of stealth for anyone sneaking around and following people. Thus, the term “to gumshoe” came to mean anyone who was walking around quietly and later “gumshoe” became slang for a detective.
Source: Word Detective
