If you open your dryer and notice that pen ink has splattered all over the drum–relax. It’s not the end of the world, and cleaning up this mishap is not as daunting as it seems. Yes, ink is hard to erase from paper, but it’s not quite as hard to eliminate from your dryer. Here are some simple techniques on how to remove ink from a dryer.
How to Remove Ink from the Dryer
What you’ll need:
- Dishwashing liquid (we recommend Dawn)
- Bucket
- Towels or rags
- Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or melamine sponge
- Protective gloves
- Goo Gone adhesive remover (not Goof Off, which is flammable)
How to do it:
- Start by warming the empty dryer on the heat cycle for about 10 to 15 minutes. This will help loosen the ink.
- Once your dryer is warm, disconnect it as a safety measure: Unplug an electric dryer from the wall or if you have a gas dryer, turn off the valve.
- Mix a few drops of dishwashing liquid and hot water in a bucket until it’s sudsy. Wet a towel and ring out excess.
- Scrub the interior of the dryer drum and the paddles with the damp towel to remove the ink stains.
- Wipe down the dryer interior with a clean towel dampened with water until there is no more soapy residue.
If any ink remains, move to the next steps:
- Dampen a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser or a melamine sponge. Make sure to wear rubber as the sponge can be abrasive to skin.
- Rub the ink stains well with the Magic Eraser.
- Use a clean towel moistened with water to wipe down the interior dryer. Make sure to clear away any gritty residue left by the Magic Eraser.
- Add a small amount of Goo Gone to a clean rag. Rub the ink spots in the dryer with Repeat as needed.
- To remove the Goo Gone residue, wash the areas you scrubbed with a different rag moistened with hot, soapy water.
- Follow up with another rag dampened just with water until soapy residue is gone. Allow to dry.
If this method doesn’t completely remove the ink from your dryer, you may want to hire a professional cleaner.
Tips For Keeping Ink Out of Your Dryer
There could be a few reasons why ink has gotten into your dryer. Here are some ways that ink can stain your dryer and how to avoid this mishap.
Pens
One of the most common ways ink can cause a mess in your dryer is through ink pens. If a pen is accidentally left in an item of clothing that is placed in the dryer, the plastic pen will overheat and cause the pen to melt, releasing the ink onto clothes and the dryer drum.
The ideal way to prevent pen ink from exploding and marking up your dryer is to check all clothing pockets before you toss garments into the washing machine (even a left-behind tissue can create a huge mess!). Making sure that nothing is in the pockets of your clothing will ensure that your dryer continues to work well and lasts a long time.
New jeans
Sometimes ink may appear in your dryer, but you know there weren’t any pens in your clothing pockets. The culprit could be a brand-new pair of jeans, particularly if the denim is a dark rinse.
Some new jeans may have an enormous amount of blue indigo dye, which can “bleed” onto your other clothing and the dryer. Some jeans makers may include a warning tag and advise you to wash the jeans prior to wearing in order to remove the excess dye.
To avoid jeans staining your dryer, wash them on their own in the cold water cycle inside out and let them hang dry. If you must put your jeans in the dryer, it’s a good idea to dry them on low or no heat since the heat makes the dye bleed.
Store security tags
Although you may notice a security tag on your clothing long before it reaches the washer and dryer, some people may not realize there is still a security tag attached until it bursts within the machine. Some of these store sensors contain a small vial with dye inside.
Ideally, you should double-check your newly purchased clothing to ensure that all security tags are removed before leaving the store. If you discover that there is one on your clothing, do not attempt to break it since the ink will splatter with the use of force. Instead, return the item to the store you purchased it from with proof of purchase to get the tag removed by a store clerk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use WD-40 to clean ink from a dryer?
No. Although this is common advice on the internet for cleaning ink from a dryer, WD-40 is flammable. It contains aliphatic hydrocarbons, which can ignite when exposed to heat. If the residue from this substance isn’t completely removed from the dryer before subsequent use, you could start a dryer fire. It’s best to avoid flammable items when removing ink from a dryer.
Will the dryer smell like ink?
Yes. The dryer will have a slight chemical smell from the ink. Once you clean it, the smell may go away. However, the odor may take a few drying cycles to dissipate completely. If an odor lingers, you may have to determine whether the ink or something else is causing the smell and eliminate the dryer odor.
