Get Sticky Candy Stains Out Of Your Clothes With A Kitchen Essential That Everyone Has

Sticky candies like Laffy Taffy and bubble gum are some of the most enjoyable treats but also some of the hardest to get out of clothes when they unexpectedly get stuck on there. Kids drop sticky goodies on their clothes all the time, and you never know when you might sit on a sneaky piece of gum that decides to attach itself to your jeans. It's easy to get frustrated when you're faced with such circumstances, since candy can create some of the toughest laundry stains to remove. But fear not, as there's one kitchen essential everyone has (yes, even you) that will handle this sticky situation and get rid of the residue left behind by gum, caramel, lollipops, or any other tacky candy that decides to cling to your clothes. All you need is your freezer and a few basic supplies.

Believe it or not, you can actually remove sticky candy stains from clothing using your freezer. Here's how to do it. Place the garment inside a zip-lock or other sealable bag with the gum or candy side facing up. You may need to fold it so it fits, but make sure the sticky spot isn't touching any other part of the fabric. Put the bag in the freezer, and leave it there for at least an hour. Once the candy has frozen solid, that's when you move on to the next step, which involves scraping or chipping it off.

After placing your garment in the freezer for one to two hours, gently scrape off the candy or gum using a credit card or a dull knife. Just be careful not to get too rough, as you don't want to tear the fabric. Once you've scraped away as much of the frozen candy as possible, you'll still need to treat the stain to remove any lingering residue.

There are several go-to cleaning substitutes that can help with removing that leftover gunk, including household materials like mineral spirits or rubbing alcohol. Work the cleaner into the fabric using a soft-bristle brush. Then, run it through a full wash cycle using the hottest water the fabric will safely handle. Since mineral spirits are petroleum-based and could be harsh on certain fabrics, it's best to spot test a discreet area first to make sure it doesn't cause any damage. Other options for treating the spot after freezing and scraping include applying De-Solv-It or Goo Gone. Some also rely on Dawn dish soap or enzymatic laundry detergent to help loosen whatever candy residue is left behind after breaking off the larger frozen pieces.

Now, if your garment is too large to fit in the freezer, try placing some ice cubes in a sealable bag and setting it directly over the stain for about 15 minutes. Once the candy hardens, scrape away what you can and use the same spot-treating steps mentioned above. When all is said and done, you should be left with a fresh-looking garment, no sticky candy stain in sight.