How to Get Tar Out of the Dryer

Updated on July 19, 2008
L.S. asks from Roanoke, TX
24 answers

My husband got tar on the bottom of his jeans (long story) and he put them in the laundry basket. I wasn't paying much attention and I put the jeans in the washer and then the dryer. Imagine my shock when I took the clothes out of the dryer and there were bits of tar stuck all over the dryer. The tar melted off the jeans onto the dryer surface and the clothes. What should I use to get the tar off the dryer? I tried Clorox wipes and it didn't work. There must be something that works so please help!!

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So What Happened?

I used baby oil because we had it in the house. It worked beautifully and my dryer is now tar-free. Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions!

Featured Answers

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K.G.

answers from Corpus Christi on

If spray and wash doesn't work, dry cleaning will, THIS IS FOR THE CLOTHES. You don't have to have the clothes pressed, but just "cleaned only" so it won't be as expensive. FOR THE DRYER, TRY POLISH REMOVER OR VINEGAR Good luck, K.

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I.G.

answers from Laredo on

Similar thing happened to me except it was a crayon. I used "Oops" and wiped it off with an old washcloth. No more problem! Goo-gone is also good.

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T.D.

answers from Beaumont on

go to the store and get a bottle of liquid lighter fluid...the kind that you would use to fill up a zippo lighter its in a yellow bottle. It works wonders on removing tar it even says it on the bottle! After you get it off goback over it with soap and water and let the dryer air out for a while that should take care of any of the fumes or flamable stuff left.

Good Luck!
T.

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G.L.

answers from Laredo on

Try WD-40. I was told it works on tar that got on your car so why not the dryer.

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C.F.

answers from Brownsville on

Try easy off oven cleaner
C.

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M.V.

answers from Houston on

You may have to run the dryer again until the inside surface and tar is hot and soft, then try to get it off with a solvent like alcohol....just be careful of the fumes....

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W.L.

answers from Houston on

After reading your story, immediately I know that GOO GONE will solve your problem. You can get it at Walgreens, Michaels, probably Hobby Lobby, and Home Depot or Lowes. Good luck to you!!

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D.S.

answers from Austin on

Try Goo-Gone. It should melt the tar. You can purchase it in most stores.

D. S.

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A.W.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Use WD-40, it is not harmful to the dryer or your clothes and can be used on almost anything. If you have scuff marks on your floors, works there too also great for stickey old tape removal.

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S.B.

answers from Houston on

Hey L., To remove the tar from your dryer, try lighter fluid. I have used it to take tar off my truck and it did not hurt the paint finish. Hope this helps.

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C.H.

answers from Houston on

Hi L.,
Have you tried "goo gone"? You can get it at Walmart, Walgreens and many other places. HTH

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T.S.

answers from Houston on

There is a product, I'm not sure of its name, but you get it in the car care aisle and it's made specifically for removing tar from cars, so I imagine it would work in the dryer.

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A.C.

answers from Houston on

Try a cleaner like Goo Gone or Simple Green. Make sure you thoroughly clean off any residue.

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S.M.

answers from San Antonio on

DO NOT USE LIGHTER FLUID IN THE DRYER! It is a huge fire hazzard! I hope that everyone reads this post after several people told you to use lighter fluid! Call any dryer manufacturer, and they will tell you to never put flamable products in the dryer, and that includes oil and grease! I would check the ingredients on the tar remover that they sell for cars. Make sure that the product is not flamable!

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B.J.

answers from College Station on

Hi L.,

My mom used to use lighter fluid on a cloth to get tar out of the carpet. I'll bet it would work in the dryer, too. (Just be sure to rinse it off well!)

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B.C.

answers from El Paso on

In the laundry department of Walmart, they carry a bottle of De-Solv-It. This is a miracle worker. Good for your clothes and your dryer. Hope this helps.

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K.C.

answers from Brownsville on

Try finger polish remover or cigarette light fluid

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W.D.

answers from Austin on

Hi L.,
I used "Goo Gone" when that happened to me. Make sure the area is well ventilated because the fumes are strong.
W.

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L.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

Tar is an oil try baby oil. Be sure and use a soapy rag to get any other oils out before you use it again. Hope this works for you. I know it works on other things never used it in the dryer before. Good luck

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J.T.

answers from Victoria on

When we were kids we would go to a beach that had been poluted and we got tar on our feets. they had set up stations with showers and a soap dispencer to wash off you feet before going to the condo. it was all ouside and right off the board walk. try some soap and water. I AGREE DONT EVER PUT ANYTHING FLAMABLE IN THE HOT DRYER. even if you think that you got it all out our dryer has holes and creases places that i would never get clean from flamable products. good luck. also call a drycleaner and ask them or a repair place.

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M.M.

answers from Houston on

baby oil works great. if you use anything oily to remove the tar, make sure you clean that out really good or you'll have oily spots on your cloths next. by the way... baby oil will get rid of any sticky stuff and works wonders on getting eye make-up off too!

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L.H.

answers from Killeen on

L. ,
go to auto store they sell tar remover that will do the trick ,,,but then you will need to refresh your dryer you could try peroxide first it works mircles
good luck L.

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H.B.

answers from Corpus Christi on

I live on Padre Island & know the woes of tar! Baby oil will do it for ya in a snap!

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K.K.

answers from Houston on

Try the Mr. Clean Magic Eraser - I have used it to get ink, buble gum, and putty out of my dryer and it really does work like magic! Good luck -

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