Gum on Crocs? Here are 5 Hacks To Get It Off

Crocs are a popular and comfortable shoe choice, but they can be particularly challenging to clean when chewing gum gets stuck to them. The Croslite material that Crocs are made of can be sensitive to certain cleaning methods and can be easily damaged if not approached carefully.

As a responsible Crocs owner, props to you for taking the right step and coming in to our article to learn more about the issue at hand!

One of the best methods to remove gum from your regular Croslite Crocs is to seal them in a plastic bag and place in a freezer to freeze for at least 2 hours. Afterwards, grab a flat hard object, such as a butter knife and carefully scrape the frozen gum off. On the other hand, if you deal with a gum entangled in the fur of your lined Crocs, peanut butter or any cooking oil will work much better. Refer to our table below to identify suitable gum removal methods for different Crocs types.

In this article we’ll take you through our 5 most effective methods in more detail. So whether it’s a freshly chewed wad of gum or an old, hardened piece that’s been stuck to your Crocs for a while, we’ve got you covered.

Common gum removal methods to avoid on Crocs

When trying to remove gum from Crocs, it’s important to be mindful of the methods you use, as some can be more effective than others and some can even damage the shoes. Among the common methods out there, I’d like to highlight avoiding heat as a way to soften the gum. Some people like to use a hair dryer, however that’s not advisable because the heat can shrink the Crocs and cause them to lose their shape.

The Croslite material of Crocs is sensitive to heat and becomes malleable which enables the risk of shrinkage. Additionally, using heat can melt the gum, making it even more difficult to remove. Instead, you should use methods that involve freezing or solvents, which can be more effective without causing damage to the shoes.

How to get gum off Crocs

Below, we are walking you through 5 effective methods to remove gum off Crocs. However, keep in mind that different types of Crocs may require different methods to remove gum. For example, leather Crocs will require a different approach than suede, regular classic or fuzzy Crocs.

Classic Crocs can be treated with solvents such as WD-40 or freezing methods. Suede and fuzzy Crocs, on the other hand, will be more delicate and may require a gentler approach. If working with solvents, it’s important to test a small, inconspicuous area of the Crocs first before applying it on the entire surface to ensure it doesn’t damage the shoes.

If you’re working with non-classic Crocs, this table below can come in handy:

	Classic	Suede	Fur-lined	Leather
Method 1. Freezer	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Method 2. Ice cube	Yes	No	Yes	Yes
Method 3. Peanut butter	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
Method 4. WD-40	Yes	No	Yes	No
Method 5. rubbing alcohol	Yes	No	No	No

Method 1. Freeze the gum

This is a perfect method that requires very little effort. After the gum is hardened in the freezer, it won’t take much effort to remove it with a butter knife or any other hard, flat object.

You’ll need:

• plastic bag
• freezer
• butter knife or other flat hard object
• damp cloth

Here’s how to approach it:

1. Place the Crocs with the gum stuck to them in a plastic bag and seal it.
2. Put the bag in the freezer and leave it there for at least 2 – 3 hours.
3. Once the gum is frozen, take the Crocs out of the freezer and carefully use a butter knife or other hard object to scrape off the gum.
4. If the gum is still stuck, continue the freezing process until it can be easily removed.
5. Clean any leftover gum with a damp cloth.

Method 2. Ice cube

The freezing temperature of the ice cube will also achieve the same outcome, however it requires a little bit more effort from your side as comparing to the freezing method described above. Also, consider grabbing a pair of gloves since holding an ice cube for a couple of minutes will definitely be a cold experience.

Items needed:

• Ice cubes
• old toothbrush or any flat, hard object
• warm gloves (optional)

Step-by-Step instructions:

1. Take an ice cube and hold it against for 2-3 minutes.
2. Use your flat object to gently scrape off the gum.
3. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth to remove any remaining gum residue.
4. Repeat the process and rub the ice cube for longer if necessary.

Method 3. Cooking oil or peanut butter

Another perfect way to get rid of gum is to use the lubricating properties of oil or peanut butter to loosen the gum. This method is fantastic especially because these ingredients are both safe and easy to find.

You’ll need:

• any cooking oil or peanut butter
• old toothbrush or any flat, hard object
• clean cloth

Instructions:

1. Apply a small amount of oil or peanut butter to the gum.
2. Use a stiff-bristled brush or toothbrush to scrub the gum until it’s loose enough to remove.
3. Wipe off the remaining oil or peanut butter and gum with a clean cloth.
4. Rinse Crocs under tap water for any leftover stains of wash it in the washing machine if needed by following our guide.

Method 4. WD-40

WD-40 or any similar solvent is great for removing old, hardened gum that has been stuck to the Crocs for a while. Its ability to dissolve the gum makes the problem almost effortless.

Keep in mind that you should use this method with caution, as solvents can damage certain materials such as leather. Therefore, stay focused and make sure to spray it only on the gum.

Also, it’s important to follow the safety precautions mentioned on the label of the WD-40 and ensure the solvent does not come in contact with the skin and eyes.

You’ll need:

• WD-40 or similar solvent
• old toothbrush or any flat, hard object
• clean cloth

Instructions:

1. Spray a small amount of WD-40 on the gum.
2. Wait about 5 – 10 minutes and let the solvent do the work.
3. Use your old toothbrush to scrub the gum until it’s loose enough to remove.
4. Wipe off the remaining solvent and gum with a clean cloth.
5. Repeat the process if necessary.
6. If there’re any stains left from the gum, consider washing your crocs in a washing machine.

Method 5. Rubbing alcohol

Our last effective method is rubbing alcohol which works by dissolving the gum. Make sure to practice caution when using this method. Don’t allow rubbing alcohol to come in contact with the Crocs Croslite material for too long as it can damage it.

Items needed:

• Rubbing alcohol
• Cotton balls or a clean cloth
• old toothbrush or any flat, hard object

Step-by-Step instructions:

1. Soak a cotton ball or a piece of clean cloth in rubbing alcohol.
2. Press the cotton ball or cloth onto the gum and hold it there for several minutes to allow the alcohol to dissolve the gum.
3. Use a toothbrush to gently scrub the gum until it is loose enough to remove.
4. Wipe the area clean with a damp cloth to remove any remaining alcohol or gum residue. Wash it under cold water if necessary.

How to remove gum from fur on fuzzy Crocs

Gum on fur can seem intimidating, but it shouldn’t be a hard task if you use the peanut butter method and its instructions above.

Apply the peanut butter, and let it work for 5 – 10 minutes. Afterwards take a hair comb and brush the gum out. If the gum is not coming off easily, it’s best to avoid using any force or excessive pressure. In that case, simply repeat the process and let the peanut butter sit longer.