How to remove sticky residue from inside dryer?

Cheryl Robinson
by Cheryl Robinson

I accidentally put a gummy worm in the dryer. The dryer and clothes are a mess. How do I clean the sticky residue off the dryer and clothes?


  4 answers
  • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jan 18, 2018

    Warm the dryer up and use a hot, but wrung out rag to do the dryer. The sugar in the gummy worms should melt out of the clothes if they can be washed in warm water, or use the sprayer on your sink to spot melt where it is on the clothes with hot water if the fabric can handle it. Any temp will melt the sugar over time, but the hotter the better, the quicker it is. I would wait to wash in washer until the bulk is gone so if it all doesn't come off it won't be in the washer or dryer.

    • See 1 previous
    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jan 19, 2018

      I have done those kind of things before, didn't know something was in a pocket that you know you checked, and voila there it is when you take them out of the dryer!

  • For the dryer, WD 40 will work. Spray onto rag then wipe dryer, then rinse. I would soak the clothes overnight with baking soda, but I bet others have better suggestions.

  • Jean Jean on Jan 18, 2018

    I would try my standard peanut butter on the clothes. Then warm water. You may have a stain from the oils and dyes maybe a little baking soda paste after the peanut butter removes the gummy.

    Dryer I think a moist hot rag then maybe a nylon scrubby if needed. Good luck.

  • Dee Dee on Dec 11, 2023

    Set the dryer to a medium setting and run the machine for five minutes. Then, wipe out the dryer with a rag or towel. The heat and the rags will help melt off and remove items such as forgotten crayons or in your case gummies.