Glue trap sticky material stuck on inside of washer. Help?

Question

Some glue trap gunk got on something that ended up in the washer. Now the washer is stuck with glue trap stuff. I put ammonia in it, washed a hot cycle, scrubbed it with liquid soap, and nothing gets this off. How do you dissolve this mess?

Answer 1

Depends on the glue, try this first, shut the water valves to the washer, then use a hot hair dryer on the glue to make it slowly dissolve, use a terry cloth of the kind that they use at car washes (available 12 for $5 at Walmart) or any other terry cloth you don't mind throwing away and as you shoo hot air onto the glue, rub it with the cloth.

Another way; get a bottle of Goo Gone:

http://www.officedepot.com/a/products/32...

It's available also at supermarkets, Walmart, Targetm etc., it's not toxic orange extract, has gotten off many glues for me.

Lastly, the most toxic solution, but almost guaranteed to work. Lighter fluid. You will need some really thick plastic, (not rubber) gloves of the kind to handle turpentine and the such, available at Home Depot, Lowes and hardware stores, they are very thick, a discardable cloth and possibly a face mask.

You do not want to get lighter fluid on your hands, or inhale the fumes, both are toxic if exposed for more than a few seconds, breathe on the OUTSIDE of the washer, keep the air flowing, open a window and use a high speed fan to circulate air.

IMPORTANT: if the inside of your washer is PAINTED instead of stainless steel, DO NOT use lighter fluid on it, it might remove the paint, DO NOT get lighter fluid on plastic parts, they will melt.

If you have to resort to this after cleaning run a full cycle with regular soap and hot water, then a cycle with cold water and a gallon of vinegar to completely remove the lighter fluid's odor.

Unbelievably we used (some still do) use this stuff to light our cigarettes.

Answer 2

You can also try turpentine. Just be careful of the fumes.

Answer 3

Since the glue is on a non-porous surface I'd use a Mr. Clean eraser.  I've used it to get impossibly sticky residue off many things.  It doesn't have an odor like the other chemicals either.  Good luck!

Answer 4

Try GoofOff it removes sticky residues from most surfaces.  There is another product called GooBeGone that works about the same.  You can find them at the home improvement centers or discounters.