git ignore not updating code example

Example 1: updated gitignore not working

git rm -r --cached .
git add .
git commit -m "fixed untracked files"

Example 2: reinit gitignore

# rm all files
git rm -r --cached .
# add all files as per new .gitignore
git add .
# now, commit for new .gitignore to apply
git commit -m ".gitignore is now working"