How to Clean Chewing Tobacco from a Dryer

The stains from chewing tobacco are tannin stains.¹ Follow the steps below to remove the tobacco residue from your dryer and treat any stains on the drum.

• Vegetable glycerin
• Water or carbonated water
• An enzyme-digester, such as Nature’s Miracle Stain and Odor Remover

1. If the stain has dried, dab the residue with glycerin to freshen it so that it can be more easily removed. Allow the glycerin to soak until the dip has softened.²
2. Once the dip has softened, you may be able to scrape off the residue with a credit card or spoon.
3. Tannin stains (plant-based stains) are usually water-soluble. Try wiping away the softened tobacco with cold water or carbonated water. However, heat can set tannin stains, so don’t be surprised if any stains on the drum don’t come out with water alone; just continue with the step below.³
4. An enzyme-digester will work on most tannin stains.⁴ Lightly dampen a cloth with the enzyme digester of your choice and use the cloth to apply the cleaner to the stains. Try not to let any cleaner drip through the holes in the dryer. Allow the cleaner to soak until the stains are removed, then use plain water to wipe away the cleaner residue.

• If the above methods haven’t removed the stains, you may need to use household bleach.⁴ Just be sure to thoroughly clean the bleach residue from the dryer once finished to prevent staining your next loads of laundry.

1. Extreme Carpet Cleaning Handbook by Chris Yarbrough
2. Field Guide to Stains by Virginia M. Friedman, Melissa Wagner & Nancy Armstrong
3. Natural Stain Removal Secrets by Deborah L. Martin
4. Stain Removal by Stephanie Zia