Things You'll Need
Ice cubes
Aerosol freezing agent
Putty knife
WD-40
Vinegar
Toothbrush
Water
High-pressure power washer
Pieces of dirty gum stuck to concrete is unsightly, unsanitary and downright inconvenient: There is nothing worse than getting gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe. Removing gum from a concrete surface does not have to be a difficult task. It will, however, require a little elbow grease and perseverance. Using cleaning equipment and a few common household items will make this job easy.
Step 1
Harden the wad of gum by either using a couple of ice cubes from the freezer or an aerosol freezing agent. This will hold the gum together helping to lift the gum in one or two strokes. The freezing agent can be purchased from most home improvement stores.
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Step 2
Use a sharp putty knife to scrape and chip away at the gum after it has become hard. You may have to repeat step 1 a couple of times to be successful. The majority of the gum should now be removed.
Step 3
Spray any remaining gum with WD-40. Allow the lubricant to soak into the gum and the surrounding concrete area. After two or three minutes, use the putty knife to lift off the leftover gum.
Step 4
Pour a small amount of vinegar on to the spot. Vinegar will help to dissolve any gum that has worked its way in to the small pores of the concrete. Use an old toothbrush and scrub the area. Allow this to set for two or three minutes. With the toothbrush, scrub the area again while rinsing with water.
Step 5
Use a high-pressure power washer to finish the job. A pressure washer can be rented from most hardware stores on an hourly or daily basis. A pressure washer that is rated 2200-3000 PSI should be strong enough for this task.
Warning
Caution should be used when operating a high-pressure power washer. Wear safety glasses and protective clothing, including steel-toed boots. Make sure you are familiar in how to use the washer prior to starting the task. To reduce any chance for surface damage, use the appropriate nozzle on the pressure washer. A fan-pattern nozzle is best for cleaning and washing concrete areas. Be cautious when working around electrical wiring, plants and light fixtures.
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