Do You Clean Bubblegum? The Sticky Truth Lurking Beneath Your Desk

Checked under your desk lately? Brace yourself, you might discover a salivated-on, lonely bubblegum stuck underneath. Gross, right?

Now, before you start pointing fingers at your gum-chewing colleague, you might want to take a closer look. Chances are, it’s not just one piece of gum. Beneath your table, chair, or even the office sink could be a whole collection of sticky leftovers from people who thought sticking gum under furniture was an acceptable life choice.

It’s disgusting, unhygienic, and downright baffling. But it’s also a common issue in shared spaces like offices, schools, and restaurants. The real question is: what can you do about it?

The Gross Reality of Gum in Shared Spaces

Stuck bubblegum isn’t just an “ew” moment, it’s a real hygiene issue. And in high-traffic shared environments like offices, schools, cafes, and public spaces, it becomes a silent (and sticky) epidemic.

Here’s why stuck gum is a serious problem:

• Unhygienic Surfaces: Gum contains bacteria from saliva that can fester over time, turning into a tiny germ hub on the underside of your furniture.

• Unpleasant Surprises: Have you ever dropped your pen, reached under your desk... and felt something soft? Yep. Trauma.

• Damaged Furniture: Gum can permanently stain or mark surfaces, ruining desks, chairs, and even carpet.

• Unprofessional Vibes: Gum under furniture doesn’t exactly scream “clean, high-functioning workplace,” does it?

Looking for ways to improve your office hygiene overall? Read: The Hidden Benefits of Regular Office Cleaning

Why Most Cleaning Companies Won't Remove Bubble Gum

The unfortunate truth is that many cleaning companies won’t remove gum. They might say it’s not in their scope of work or claim it’s a “hazmat hazard” to deal with saliva-covered gum. And honestly, it’s a tricky job:

• Gum removal requires specific techniques and equipment.
• Without the right approach, it can leave behind sticky residues or damage surfaces.
• It’s time-consuming and, let’s face it, not the most pleasant task.

But just because others shy away doesn’t mean you’re out of options.

Enter Cleancorp: Your Gum-Fighting Dream Team

At Cleancorp, we’re not afraid of the sticky stuff. In fact, we expect to find it and have the tools and training to deal with it properly.

Here’s how we do gum removal right:

The Surprising Reality of Gum-Sticking

Let’s talk numbers:

• 3.5 billion pieces of chewing gum are discarded improperly every year (BBC)

• A significant chunk of that ends up stuck to surfaces in offices, schools, and public venues

• In one 2023 workplace survey, 71% of facility managers admitted to finding gum under desks on a monthly basis

People stick gum under furniture for all kinds of reasons—convenience, laziness, or even just habit. But the end result? Someone else has to clean it up. And if that someone is you or your staff, it’s a waste of time and morale.

Where Cleaning Bubblegum Matters Most

Sticky gum isn’t just an office issue. It’s rampant in:

• Schools & Universities – especially under lecture hall chairs or classroom desks

• Cafés & Restaurants – the underside of dining tables is a hot zone

• Libraries & Coworking Spaces – people quietly chew and stick (and vanish)

• Public Transport & Waiting Areas – enough said.

Related reading: School Cleaning Services: What's Included

Frequently Asked Questions On Cleaning Bubblegum

Q: How do you remove gum without damaging surfaces?
A: We use a combination of gentle scraping tools, steamers, and eco-safe solvents to lift the gum without scratching or staining. Every material is treated appropriately; wood, laminate, plastic, or metal.

Q: Is gum removal included in your standard service?
A: If you’re a Cleancorp client, then yes! We customise every contract based on your needs, so if gum removal is something your space struggles with, we’ll make it part of your routine clean.

Q: Can you remove gum from carpet?
A: Absolutely. We have steam extraction tools and solvents specifically designed to break down hardened gum without damaging fibres.

Q: Do you offer once-off gum removal for event spaces or schools?
A: Yes, we can do both recurring and once-off deep cleans, including full gum audits.

Why Choose Cleancorp?

When you partner with Cleancorp, you’re getting more than a cleaning company - you’re getting a team that genuinely cares about your space. Here’s why we stand out:

• More Attention: From the top of your desks to the underside (yes, even the gum), we pay attention to every detail.
• More Time: We take the time to do the job right, ensuring no sticky surprises are left behind.
• More Care: We treat your space as if it were our own, going above and beyond to exceed your expectations.

Let's Make Your Workspace Gum-Free

Don’t let chewed gum tarnish your office’s cleanliness or reputation. Whether it’s under desks, chairs, or anywhere else, Cleancorp has the tools, expertise, and determination to tackle the toughest sticky situations.

Call us today at 1300 211 944 for a free quote and let us help you reclaim your workspace... gum-free, hygienic, and spotless!