4 Easy Ways To Remove An Ink Stain From A Dryer Drum - WikiHow

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Terms of Use wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. Learn why people trust wikiHow How to Remove an Ink Stain from a Dryer Drum PDF download Download Article Explore this Article methods 1 Using Dish Soap 2 Removing Stubborn Ink Stains Other Sections Expert Q&A Tips and Warnings Related Articles Expert Interview References Article Summary Co-authored by Jeimy Flournoy

Last Updated: June 3, 2024 Approved

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This article was co-authored by Jeimy Flournoy. Jeimy Flournoy is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Capital Heights, Maryland. Jeimy is the Founder of Salon 809 and 809 Laundromat, which offers self-service, drop-off, and commercial laundry services. 809 Laundromat prioritizes cleanliness and providing exceptional customer service, and is passionate about giving back and making a positive impact. They have garnered over 5,500 customers and 125,000 cleans in their first year open. Jeimy is a dynamic entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio. Jeimy opened the second location of Salon 809 in 2019 and successfully franchised the brand. In 2023, she further diversified her entrepreneurial pursuits by launching the 809 Laundromat. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 25 testimonials and 100% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 934,032 times.

If a pen or marker explodes in your dryer, you may be dealing with more than just stained clothing. The ink can stain the inside of your dryer, too. Wipe it out with soap and water first to remove the ink stains.[1] If this doesn’t work, move on to tougher cleaning products. Remember to use caution when you clean a dryer since it is an electrical appliance. Always unplug your dryer before you use any cleaning strategy.

Steps

Method 1 Method 1 of 2:

Using Dish Soap

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  1. Step 1 Unplug the dryer to protect yourself from electrical shock. 1 Unplug the dryer to protect yourself from electrical shock. You can get electrocuted if you clean a dryer with water while it is still plugged in. Unplug the dryer before you begin to stay safe.[2]

    Tip: Without the light on the inside of the dryer, it might be difficult to see the stains. Turn a light on in the room or ask someone to hold a flashlight for you and aim it inside of the dryer.

  2. Step 2 Wipe out the inside of the dryer with a rag soaked in soapy water. 2 Wipe out the inside of the dryer with a rag soaked in soapy water. Fill a small bowl or bucket with warm water and a few drops of dish soap. You can use any type of dish soap that you have on hand. Then, dip a clean dish rag into the soapy water and wring it out. Use the rag to wipe the inside of the dryer wherever it is stained.[3] Apply medium to hard pressure to scrub the stains.[4]
    • Check after a few seconds to see if the stain is coming up. If it is, keep scrubbing. If not, you might need to try a different option.
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  3. Step 3 Rinse the rag and wipe out the dryer again. 3 Rinse the rag and wipe out the dryer again. After you finish scrubbing the stains in the dryer, hold the rag under warm, running water. Then, wring it out and wipe out the inside of the dryer again to remove the soap residue.[5]
    • Your dryer is safe to use again after you finish wiping it out. Plug it back in after you finish cleaning it.
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Method 2 Method 2 of 2:

Removing Stubborn Ink Stains

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  1. Step 1 Unplug the dryer if you’ll be cleaning out the inside by hand. 1 Unplug the dryer if you’ll be cleaning out the inside by hand. Cleaning the inside of a dryer while it is still plugged in puts you at risk of electric shock. Unplug the dryer before you start cleaning it if you’ll be cleaning it out by hand.[6]
  2. Step 2 Scrub the dryer with a Magic Eraser for a chemical-free option. 2 Scrub the dryer with a Magic Eraser for a chemical-free option. A Magic Eraser is a special sponge made of melamine foam. Wet the Magic Eraser sponge with water and wring it out. Wipe the inside of the dryer with the sponge to remove the ink stains. Keep scrubbing until all of the stains are gone.[7]
    • Rinse and wring out the sponge as needed.
    • You may have to apply medium to hard pressure depending on how bad the stains are. For example, if the stains are from a permanent marker, you might need to scrub them harder than if they’re from a pen.
  3. Step 3 Spray fabric stain remover on the ink spots if there's time to let the product sit. 3 Spray fabric stain remover on the ink spots if there's time to let the product sit. Spray the product on the ink stains inside of your dryer. Let it sit for about 5 minutes. Then, wipe the dryer clean with a damp paper towel.[8]
    • You can purchase stain pre-treatment sprays in the laundry department of a grocery store.
  4. Step 4 Use Goo Gone to easily clean ink from the inside of the dryer. 4 Use Goo Gone to easily clean ink from the inside of the dryer. This product is alcohol-free, so it’s safe to use on the inside of a dryer. Apply the product to a rag and then wipe the inside of the dryer with the damp rag. The ink should come off of the dryer drum easily. Then, use a wet rag with a few drops of dish soap to wipe away the remaining Goo Gone. Follow that by wiping out the dryer with a wet rag to remove the soap.[9]
    • Do not use “Goof Off” as this product is flammable. Only use the product “Goo Gone” if you try this option.
  5. Step 5 Dry a bleach-soaked towel to clean the dryer while it's running. 5 Dry a bleach-soaked towel to clean the dryer while it's running. Fill a small bucket with 1 US gal (3.8 L) of water and 8  fl oz (240 mL) of bleach. Then, place a towel into the solution and allow it to get soaked. Put on a pair of rubber gloves and pull the towel out. Wring it out as much as possible and then put it in the dryer without any other items. Turn the dryer on high and run it until the towel is dry.[10]
    • When you remove the towel from the dryer, the ink stains should be gone. However, make sure to run a couple of loads of whites through the dryer next to ensure that all of the bleach residue is gone.
    • You may also want to wipe out the inside of the dryer with a damp rag to ensure that there is no bleach residue left. Make sure to unplug the dryer before you wipe it out.
    • It's best to toss the towel after using it so the ink stains don't transfer to other items the next time you wash it.
  6. Step 6 Treat stubborn ink stains with nail polish remover and a damp cloth. 6 Treat stubborn ink stains with nail polish remover and a damp cloth. Moisten a cotton ball with nail polish remover and dab it on the ink stains in the dryer. Repeat until all of the ink stains are gone. Then, wipe out the inside of the dryer with a damp cloth to remove the nail polish residue.[11]
    • Make sure to wipe the inside of the dryer thoroughly with the wet rag to get all of the nail polish remover residue off of it.
    • Avoid inhaling the fumes if you use this option. Open a window and run a fan to help ventilate the room while you wipe out the dryer and don’t stick your head into the dryer.

    Warning: Only use this option if other options have failed. Using nail polish remover on the inside of a dryer is not recommended since it is flammable.

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Expert Q&A

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  • Question What else can I use to remove ink stains from my dryer? Jeimy Flournoy Jeimy Flournoy Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert Jeimy Flournoy is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Capital Heights, Maryland. Jeimy is the Founder of Salon 809 and 809 Laundromat, which offers self-service, drop-off, and commercial laundry services. 809 Laundromat prioritizes cleanliness and providing exceptional customer service, and is passionate about giving back and making a positive impact. They have garnered over 5,500 customers and 125,000 cleans in their first year open. Jeimy is a dynamic entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio. Jeimy opened the second location of Salon 809 in 2019 and successfully franchised the brand. In 2023, she further diversified her entrepreneurial pursuits by launching the 809 Laundromat. Jeimy Flournoy Jeimy Flournoy Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert Expert Answer If soap and water do not work, you can also use tougher cleaning products, such as rubbing alcohol or baking soda paste. Be sure to act quickly because if the stain sets for a longer period of time, it will be harder to remove these stains. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 5 Helpful 0
  • Question How can I remove a lip gloss stain from my dryer? Community Answer Community Answer I just had the same problem and nothing worked until I tried Comet. It worked great. Just wipe it down with a wet rag after. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 28 Helpful 60
  • Question Could Comet work to get ink stains out of the dryer? Community Answer Community Answer Yes, try it with a smooth sponge. Thanks! We're glad this was helpful. Thank you for your feedback. If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow Yes No Not Helpful 23 Helpful 45
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Tips

Tips from our Readers

The advice in this section is based on the lived experiences of wikiHow readers like you. If you have a helpful tip you’d like to share on wikiHow, please submit it in the field below.
  • Never mix cleaning chemicals containing acetone and bleach. That combination creates chlorine gas, which is a hazardous chemical. It's especially dangerous if you're working in an enclosed space, like a dryer drum.
  • Bleach and water seemed to work the best for me. I had an especially stubborn stain that required serious elbow grease, and the bleach helped dramatically.
  • I used Goo Off and then dish soap. It took multiple attempts to remove all of the stains but my dryer is looking brand new!
Submit a Tip All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published Name Please provide your name and last initial Submit Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Warnings

  • Always make sure that you unplug the dryer before cleaning it with anything to protect yourself from electrical shock. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Alcohol is flammable and using it to clean your dryer can create a fire hazard, so avoid things like rubbing alcohol, WD-40, and carburetor cleaner. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • Remember to be extra careful if you clean out a dryer with nail polish remover because it is flammable! Don’t inhale the fumes and make sure that all of the nail polish is off the dryer before you turn it on again. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • If you use a bleach-soaked towel, make sure to run a couple of loads of white clothing through the dryer to get rid of the bleach residue. Thanks Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
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Expert Interview

Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about laundering clothes, check out our in-depth interview with Jeimy Flournoy.

References

  1. ↑ Jeimy Flournoy. Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview
  2. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-dryer/
  3. ↑ Jeimy Flournoy. Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert. Expert Interview
  4. ↑ https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/news/a56388/how-to-clean-ink-stains/
  5. ↑ https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/news/a56388/how-to-clean-ink-stains/
  6. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-dryer/
  7. ↑ https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/news/a56388/how-to-clean-ink-stains/
  8. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/institute/a24498/how-to-remove-crayons-stains-from-dryer/
  9. ↑ https://www.esquire.com/style/mens-fashion/news/a56388/how-to-clean-ink-stains/
More References (2)
  1. ↑ https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-clean-a-dryer/
  2. ↑ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcpEJNd75CM&feature=youtu.be&t=80

About This Article

Jeimy Flournoy Co-authored by: Jeimy Flournoy Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert This article was co-authored by Jeimy Flournoy. Jeimy Flournoy is a Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert based in Capital Heights, Maryland. Jeimy is the Founder of Salon 809 and 809 Laundromat, which offers self-service, drop-off, and commercial laundry services. 809 Laundromat prioritizes cleanliness and providing exceptional customer service, and is passionate about giving back and making a positive impact. They have garnered over 5,500 customers and 125,000 cleans in their first year open. Jeimy is a dynamic entrepreneur with a diverse portfolio. Jeimy opened the second location of Salon 809 in 2019 and successfully franchised the brand. In 2023, she further diversified her entrepreneurial pursuits by launching the 809 Laundromat. This article has been viewed 934,032 times. 1 votes - 100% Co-authors: 15 Updated: June 3, 2024 Views: 934,032 Categories: Pen Ink and Marker Stains | Laundry Article SummaryX

To remove an ink stain from a dryer drum, start by unplugging the dryer to protect yourself from electrical shock. Next, mix a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap with warm water, dip a cloth in the soapy solution, and scrub the stain away. Once the stain disappears, dampen a rag with clean water and wipe out the inside of the dryer to remove the soap residue. For stubborn ink stains, mix 8 ounces of bleach with 1 gallon of water and soak a few old white towels in the solution. Then, wring out the towels out so they’re not dripping and put them in the dryer. Finally, run a complete dry cycle on high heat so the bleach can remove the stains. To learn how to use nail polish remover on your ink stains, keep reading! Did this summary help you?YesNo

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Reader Success Stories

  • Sandra McCallister

    Sandra McCallister

    Apr 20, 2017

    "My son accidentally left an ink pen in his back pocket. I failed to find the pen before doing laundry, thus, it..." more Rated this article:
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Did this article help you?

Yes No Advertisement Cookies make wikiHow better. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Jeimy Flournoy Co-authored by: Jeimy Flournoy Laundry & Dry Cleaning Expert Co-authors: 15 Updated: June 3, 2024 Views: 934,032 100% of readers found this article helpful. 1 votes - 100% Click a star to add your vote Sandra McCallister

Sandra McCallister

Apr 20, 2017

"My son accidentally left an ink pen in his back pocket. I failed to find the pen before doing laundry, thus, it..." more Rated this article: Deirtre Clark

Deirtre Clark

Apr 12, 2017

"I tried the first three methods with no luck, so on to the fourth. I didn't think nail polish remover had..." more Rated this article: Anonymous

Anonymous

Jul 10, 2017

"Upon opening my dryer, I discovered my lovely sheets covered in blue ink. After removing them, I was panicked to..." more Sabrina M.

Sabrina M.

Mar 4, 2018

"I started with alcohol, as it removes ink really well. Then I sprinkled Ajax scouring powder a rubbed vigorously..." more Cheryl Hale

Cheryl Hale

Oct 10, 2017

"Alcohol worked. I sprayed it on and kept wiping. Be careful as the alcohol could adversely affect you. Also leave..." more Rated this article: Share yours! More success stories Hide success stories

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