How to Remove Gum From a Dryer Drum

Remove gum from a dryer drum with a powdered detergent.

Old gum stuck to the bottom of your shoe is bad enough, but gum stuck in your clothes dryer is much worse. The sticky gum heats up in the dryer and attaches to the dryer drum. The gum needs to be softened to detach from the dryer drum. With the proper tools and procedures, you can remove the gum without difficulty.

Things You'll Need

• Three old towels
• 2 tbsp. powdered laundry detergent
• Clean cloth
• Rags

Instructions

1. Place three old towels into the dryer, and allow them to run on a warm setting for 10 minutes to soften the gum.

2. Mix 2 tbsp. powdered laundry detergent with four or five drops of water, or enough to form a thick paste. Place the paste onto a clean cloth.

3. Remove the towels from the dryer, and turn the drum so the gum is at the bottom, or an easy location for you to reach.

4. Rub the paste into the gum, removing it from the dryer. Run the cloth over the entire dryer drum to remove any specks of gum you may not see.

5. Wipe the dryer drum with a damp rag to remove the paste. Place three or four damp rags into the dryer, and run until completely dry to remove any residue from the drum.

References

• Good Housekeeping: Removing Melted Chewing Gum From a Dryer