How to Remove Gum From a Table

1. 
   1
   Take a face (toweling) cloth and put a few drops of fingernail polish remover on the cloth.
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2. 
   2
   Rub the fingernail polish remover in well, but not completely. You might not be able to get it off if you do it all the way.
3. 
   3
   Rub the gum gently. It will eventually come off.
4. 
   4
   Wipe down and polish as usual.

1. 
   1
   Run some warm tap water and wet a cloth. Put 1 or 2 drops of fingernail polish remover on the cloth.
2. 
   2
   Rub the gum until it comes off.
3. 
   3
   Wipe down and polish as usual.

1. 
   1
   Use an essential oil such as eucalyptus oil or ti-tree oil. Alternatively, ordinary vegetable oil from your pantry might work as well as an essential oil; it won't harm the finish of the wood table but it might not have as much removal power as an essential oil depending on the gum contents. If you're prepared to use elbow grease though, it will probably work.
2. 
   2
   Dampen a cleaning cloth with water. Pour drops of the oil onto the gum.
3. 
   3
   Rub at the dried-on gum with the cleaning cloth. Pick away at any lifted pieces.
4. 
   4
   Continue until all residue of gum is removed. Polish the wooden surface as usual.

1. 
   1
   Place peanut butter on the gum.
2. 
   2
   Leave for a few minutes to allow the oil to soak in.
3. 
   3
   Rub off with a cleaning cloth. If you're lucky, the oil from the peanut butter will have soaked in, reacted with the gum, and lifted it off.^[1]

1. 
   1
   Place a handful of ice into a plastic bag that can be sealed.
2. 
   2
   Add a pinch of salt on the ice and shake around. Seal the bag.
3. 
   3
   Wrap the bag in a face washer or small hand towel.
4. 
   4
   Rest on the hardened gum. Leave for 10 minutes.
5. 
   5
   Remove and pry off the hardened gum with your fingers or a piece of paper.

1. 
   1
   Purchase a commercial solvent that can be applied to wood. Common ones often rely on orange oil ingredients. If the gum in question is actually tree sap, there are also commercial removers available for that purpose. Inquire at your local hardware or cleaning supplies store.
2. 
   2
   Apply according to the instructions provided with the product.

Spray the gum with a can of compressed air. It'll freeze the gum and make it brittle. Scrape it with a paint scraper.

If the gum has been on the table for a really long time and won't come off with normal methods, you might need to use a scraper as well. Be aware that this carries a very high risk of damaging the wood surface or polish but if you're handy with sandpaper and varnish and this is a renovation job anyway, you can often repair such damage.

1. 
   1
   Apply whichever solvent preferred from above.
2. 
   2
   Try to lift with a cleaning cloth and your fingers.
3. 
   3
   Use the scraper as a last resort.
4. 
   4
   Sand and varnish the surface again if possible. Polish.

A good method of removal is using WD40.

1. 
   1
   spray onto the gum and allow to soak in
2. 2
   use a plastic spatula to scrape the gum off.

Be careful as WD40 can stain some unprotected woods.

1. 
   1
   Use rubbing alcohol or an essential oil such as eucalyptus or ti-tree oil.
2. 
   2
   Dampen a cloth slightly. Add some drops of essential oil to the dried on gum.
3. 
   3
   Rub over the gum vigorously until it starts to lift. Pull away at it with your fingers.
4. 
   4
   Repeat process if needed to remove last sticking pieces.
5. 
   5
   Wipe down clean. Use your usual glass table spray to polish.
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