[Simon Gerrard]

We don't remove chewing gum. Well, not if there is a lot of it, the odd piece, yes.
I just don't believe that it is our problem. Nor do I believe that removing it for the client does anything to help them rid themselves of their chewing gum problem. It's a lot better just to tell them that chewing gum removal is not something you get done when you have your carpets cleaned (often years apart) and is something that should be done on a daily, weekly basis as and when the deposits appear. I told this to the Head Teacher of a school the other day and she thanked me because she didn't realise that there was products like chewing gum freezer available for her cleaners to use - end of problem.
What's your attitude towards this sticky subject

Simon

[Dave Roberts]

I agree, and I don't 

As I would always do a quote visit on a commercial job (where chewy tends to be a problem), I'd give the customer the option.   Price A would not include the labourious task of treating each incident of ground in chewing gum.   Price B would include removal of it all.

[james roffey]

Its oppotunity to raise the ticket price to include removal.

[Colin Day]

I have a way of removing it which I imagine would be frowned upon on CIU, but it works so I don't mind doing the job....

[paul wallace]

I find using a steam gun you can get alot up quickly so never worry about this one 

[Pj]

I find using a steam gun you can alot quickly so never worry about this one 

Does Steam gun work as well on blu tac?

[paul wallace]

I don't think so PJ but to be fair I've never had a massive problem with loads of bluetack so I've felt the need to try!

The thing about using steam, it's a safe way of doing the job and any left on the top of the pile can be wiped off with Citrus gel 

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Hi Simon

Pretty much the same as you. The odd bit is no problem and for a pub where there is usually more hiding which only becomes visable once the carpet is cleaned I also explain why the price is so high and show what part of the cost is for removal.

Schools and the like I tend not to although some schools have explicitly got me in to just remove the gum!

For others I say I can certainly remove it but that the FM/Bursar/whoever will probably find it cheaper to emply their own cleaners to do the job.

It may well be that they'll use me to get it back upto a decent level and then I'll leave them to maintain it.

I have in quite a few shops sold them a "kit" for gum removal including a perforator, freezing agent, citrus gell and hammer for chipping off the gum. Probably the most important thing in these circumstances is to actually show and train enough staff in how to do it properly.

The latest weapon I have started to use on low profile and very heavy wear carpets is a pummice stone in conjunction with citrus gel to get rid of the residue.

Rog

[Steve Gunn]

£1.50 a piece normally puts them off

[andrew christopher]

I have a way of removing it which I imagine would be frowned upon on CIU, but it works so I don't mind doing the job....

Colin i wont frown.

I hate the stuff so open to all suggestions and will sign a disclaimer!

Andy

[Paul Redden Countryfresh]

I have a way of removing it which I imagine would be frowned upon on CIU, but it works so I don't mind doing the job....

Angle grinder? 

[mark_roberts]

I must admit ive never used a freezing agent.  Is it effective or only on certain types of gum.

Steve

Hope you count them first at that price.

Mark

[rich hand]

Everything has its price

[Colin Day]

I have a way of removing it which I imagine would be frowned upon on CIU, but it works so I don't mind doing the job....

Colin i wont frown.

I hate the stuff so open to all suggestions and will sign a disclaimer!

Andy

BBQ lighter Gel.....

[peter maybury]

A lotof the work I get is because we do remove chewing gum and to be quite honest I think that to make a good job of cleaning a carpet and leave chewing gum on it totally detracts the results. I do quote an additional cost and I do stipulate that the quotation is based on the amount of chewing gum present at the time. Years ago we did a branch of w.h. smiths in Cardiff with over 2600 pieces. The main reason for train carpet being cleaned is the fact that there is so much chewing gum. I do sell citrus gell to my regular customers for their cleaners to use in order to minimise it. We use wallpaper strippers which are kept on the van ans also have a large industial one on castors for larger jobs.

Peter Maybury
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com

[Carpet Dawg]

I usualy ask Marti to google it for me while on the job 

[Simon Gerrard]

2,600 pieces of chewing gum. I'd have told them to stuff it.
Sorry, but after 12 years of having to guarantee chewing gum removal for a ladies wear chain we did nationwide I decided that enough was enough and told all of our clients we no longer do it, except for the odd piece, and we didn't use a single client, bizarrely some even thanked me for having helped them face up to the problem which has to be dealt with on a daily / weekly basis.

Simon

[peter maybury]

with a lot of these jobs one of the reasons that they wanted the work done in the first place is because of the chewing gum and so we put a price in for the job. I unfortunately am not in the situation where I can pick and choose the type of work that I do and although chewing gum removal is not something I enjoy doing, I cannot afford to pas the work by.

Peter Maybury

www.carpetcleanercardiff.com

[paul wallace]

Sorry to bring this subject back up BUT, I feel that the removal of gum is quick and easy and is nothing to worry about. 

Although I agree with Simon on that amount, teach a way!

[garyfindlay]

Simon, 2600 pieces x Steve`s £1.50 rate = nearly 4k , worth chewing over.
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I`ll get my coat.