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Can You Help This Reader?

A reader wrote: "My son left gum in his pocket and I did not find it before I did the laundry. I didn't see it until after it went through the dryer. Now my dryer has skid marks with lint on it. What do you suggest for getting gum off the interior of a dryer. "

And YOU responded:

Can't say I ever ended up with gum in my dryer (Thank Heavens!) but WD40 seems to cure most every disaster. Good Luck! Kathleen

Janitorial supply companies they sell a gum removing product that freezes the gum. Spray this on and use a heavy duty PLASTIC putty knife to scrape away.

For the person who had gum "skid marks" in their dryer: Remove with WD-40 on an old piece of terry cloth or piece of paper towel, then be sure to clean off the solvent with soap or spray cleaner before using the dryer again. Mary in New Mexico

Thought I'd toss my hat into the ring on this one.My answer for things sticky like this is neat eucalyptus oil.

Elena Fawkner A Home-Based Business Online ... practical home business ideas, resources and strategies for the work-from-home entrepreneur or wannabe! http://www.fawkner.com/subscribe.html (Editor's comment: Elena's newsletter and site are wonderful! If you haven't subscribed, do it today!)

Hi------I read of your problem with gum in the dryer.....I've had this happen more often than you can imagine. You can get something called "goo gone" I've seen this in bed bath and beyond stores, and also in grocery stores I believe....just rub it into the gum and it will dissolve it...you can rub it out with a paper towel...when the gum is gone you should spray something on the dryer drum to be sure all of the goo gone solution is cleaned off.......you don't want to leave any behind that might possibly cause a fire.....I don't think that would ever happen, but I like to be cautious............hope this helps..............Mary

I found a citrus based product at Wal-Mart called De-Solv-It. It worked well at removing sticker residue from my son's shirt that had been washed and dried. It leaves an oily residue, so you'll need to clean your dryer out very well. Hope this helps. Renee

PEANUT BUTTER. I know it will make a mess of sorts, but that can be cleaned up easier than sticky gum. Rub on some PB and let it sit for a little while (maybe 15 minutes to a half hour) and the gum should come right off. To clean the PB mess, use grease cutting dishwashing liquid. Good luck.

I found a product called Undu, it is used mostly for removing stickers in scrapbooks but it also is good for stamps that are self adhesive. I also use it to get gum off clothes and I'm sure it will work in your dryer. It is relatively odor free and easy to use.

A product called Lestoil will remove gum. Wipe on, let it sit for 5-10 minutes and wipe off. Wipe with a wet cloth next.Linda

USE CAUTION WHEN TRYING ALL OF THESE SOLUTIONS! WASH OUT YOUR DRYER THOROUGHLY BEFORE TURNING IT ON! YOU CAN NEVER BE TOO CAREFUL!!!