One of the stranger traits of human beings is the need, by some of them, to chew gum. It might be said that this habit is a recent phenomenon but, as is often the case when considering modern life, it is not. Ancient societies are known to have used chewing gum; for instance the Aztecs used a chicle based gum as a mouth freshener. Chewing gum was developed for the modern taste around the middle of the nineteenth century using the chicle base which had been imported from Mexico.
Chewing gum is made from a gum base (normally no longer chicle but a synthetic type) and sweeteners and flavouring. The additives are water soluble whereas the gum base (which is basically a type of synthetic rubber) is not. The nature of gum then is that of sticky rubber when it is dropped on the floor, and when it dries it is a hard deposit, with strong adherent properties.
Aside from the Singapore solution where chewing gum is banned, the answer lies in the use of specific techniques and machinery for effective chewing gum removal.
The use of high pressure superheated steam (sometimes called dry steam) is a popular method of chewing gum removal. This method uses heat rather than pressure to melt the gum. It is the most effective way using less water and less taking less time. Chemicals are sometimes added to speed up the process further.
Machines using 240v electricity can be used such as the EDGE Mr Gummy or Steamtec steam generators. A battery powered Steamtec steam generator is now available from B & G which allows the machine to be used without the need for an electric power generator. This battery powered machine is very easy and quick to set up and can remove considerable chewing gum very efficiently.
Alternatively, the Gum Blaster has been developed specifically to deal with hardened chewing gum. The Gum Blaster chewing gum removal machine is used as an attachment to a hot or cold water pressure washer that has a recommended minimum pressure of 150bar and flow rate of 12 litres per minute. The operation of the Gum Blaster is quite straightforward, first position the cleaning head over the chewing gum, pull the trigger and move the Gum Blaster back and forth over the gum. The Gum Blaster contains within it 18 pressure intensifying needle jets which are set at a fixed height and angle. The gum is effectively blasted away from the surface and collected in a chamber housed within the unit which can be emptied, and its troublesome contents disposed of in a more legitimate way.
To learn more, have a look at the Gum Blaster video to see how easy and effective it is to use.
For more information about the Gum Blaster or any other cleaning equipment then contact one of the leading suppliers B&G Cleaning.