How to Get Gum Out of the Dryer (6 Easy Ways to Get This Done)

Laundry is a big enough chore without discovering that gum is now stuck to your dryer and maybe even on your clothes as well.

Here are 6 ways to clean up that gooy mess to make sure it doesn’t get on anything else.

1. Vinegar

Using vinegar to get gum out of a dryer.

Vinegar is a favorite cleaning agent of mine because it is all natural and does such a great job.

When it comes to gum, vinegar is always a great option!

Follow these steps to get gum out of your dryer with vinegar.

Step 1 – Pour a fourth a cup of white vinegar or apple cider vinegar into a microwave safe bowl. Heat it for 30 seconds to a minute so that it is warm.

Step 2 – Get an old or new toothbrush (one that you won’t use again) and dip it in the vinegar.

Step 3 – Coat the gum with the vinegar and let it sit for several minutes.

Step 4 – Gently start scrubbing the gum off with the toothbrush. Brush in one direction only.

Step 5 – Use more vinegar if you find that the gum is still a little sticky and hard to get off.

Step 6 – Wipe down the area with a paper towel.

Step 7 – Toss a damp cloth towel in the dryer and run for at least 15 minutes so it can soak up any leftover vinegar so that your next dryer full of clothes won’t have a hint of vinegar smell to them.

2. Dryer Sheets

How to use dryer sheets to get gum out of a dryer.

Dryer sheets are surprisingly a perfect solution to your problem.

They are abrasive enough to get the gum off without damaging your dryer.

Follow these steps to get gum out of your dryer using a dryer sheet.

Step 1 – Soak the dryer sheet with water.

Step 2 – Lay the dryer sheet on the gum and press down lightly. If you have several spots of gum, then use one dryer sheet per spot.

Step 3 – Let the dryer sheet sit on the gum for at least 10 minutes.

Step 4 – Use the dryer sheet to scrub the gum off of your dryer.

Step 5 – If you have any sticky residue left on your dryer, then pour a little bit of fabric softener onto a new dryer sheet and scrub the spot with that. If it is too hard to get up, then let the fabric softener soak on the spot for a half hour.

Step 6 – Wipe out the dryer and then toss in a damp cloth towel and run the dryer for at least 15 minutes to finish cleaning it.

3. Ice Cubes

How to get gum out of a dryer using ice cubes.

This is an easy method, especially if the gum has already hardened and isn’t soft.

Since the dryer drum is metal, then the gum will be easy to scrape off when it is frozen.

Follow these steps to get gum out of your dryer using ice cubes.

Step 1 – Put several ice cubes in a plastic bag.

Step 2 – Let the ice sit on the spot until the gum is completely frozen.

Step 3 – Once it is frozen, use an old credit card to scrape the gum off. Make sure you don’t scratch the dryer!

Step 4 – If the gum does not come off easily, then let the ice sit on it a little longer. Also, if it leaves a little bit of a residue, then wash with warm soapy water.

4. Canola Oil

Using canola oil to get gum out of a dryer.

As you already know, gum is super sticky, so using an oily substance will help to break the bond between the gum and the dryer.

You can use canola oil, Pam or olive oil for this method. All three of them will get the job done.

Follow these steps to get gum out of your dryer using canola oil.

Step 1 – Use a paper towel to rub the oil on the gum (or just spray it on if you are using Pam).

Step 2 – Let it sit for several minutes and then wipe the gum off with a paper towel.

Step 3 – Repeat steps one and two several times since the gum will likely not come completely off the first time.

Step 4 – If there is some sticky residue left, then you can always use just warm soapy water to finish cleaning that spot.

Step 5 – Put a damp cloth towel in the dryer and run it for at least 15 minutes. This will make sure that all of the oil is off of the dryer and won’t get on the next load of clothing that you put in there.

5. Rubbing Alcohol

Using rubbing alcohol to get gum out of a dryer.

Rubbing alcohol has so many uses and one of them is breaking down those sticky gum polymers!

It will have the gum out of your dryer in no time.

Follow these steps to get gum out of your dryer with rubbing alcohol.

Step 1 – Pour a small amount of rubbing alcohol on a wash cloth.

Step 2 – Scrub the gum with the cloth and let it sit for a minute.

Step 3 – Scrub the gum again with the cloth to get the gum completely off. You can use your fingernails or an old credit card to scrape the gum if it is being stubborn.

Step 4 – Put a damp towel in your dryer and let it run for 15 minutes. This will make sure you don’t have any rubbing alcohol left in there and that it doesn’t get on any of your clothing.

6. Dishwashing Detergent

Using dish detergent to get gum out of a dryer.

Not only does this cut the grease on your dishes, but it also can get the gum out of your dryer!

The dish detergent combats the stickiness of the gum and helps to loosen its hold on the metal.

Follow these steps to get gum out of your dryer with dishwashing detergent.

Step 1 – Put old towels in the dryer and let it run for a few minutes.

Step 2 – Mix a paste of powdered dish detergent and water.

Step 3 – Scrub the gum with the paste using a paper towel. Make sure you don’t scrub too hard so that you damage the dryer.

Step 4 – Wash the area with warm soapy water to remove any gum residue left.

Step 5 – Run the dryer for at least 15 minutes with a damp towel to make sure it is completely clean.

Gum on Clothing

If any gum is stuck to your clothing because of it getting in the dryer, then check out this article that will show you 6 different ways to get gum out of your clothes.

6 Easy ways to get gum out of a dryer.
Six ways to get gum out of the dryer.  Easy and simple solutions with items you already have in your home.