Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I mistakenly washed and dried an ink pen. I have in on some clothing and the dryer has ink all over the drum. I've tried kitchen cleaner to remove stains on the dryer drum with no luck. Can this be removed or is my 2 year old dryer shot? Any suggestions would be welcome.

Thanks,
Stephanie

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Rubbing alcohol

Rubbing alcohol will remove the ink. I got ink in the dryer, too, and used rubbing alcohol, and it worked. I got the tip from the book: How to Clean Practically Anything. (07/24/2004)

By Nikki

Windex

I used window spray or windex on my Maytag dryer, worked fine but I wasn't so lucky with the clothes. (08/23/2004)

By JB

Hairspray

Thanks for the info on getting ink out of the dryer, the hairspray helped a lot. It doesn't take out all of the blue of the pen, I think that is now a permanent feature, but it does remove the ink that is on the surface causing the spots on the laundry.

As for getting out the ink already on the laundry try using Carbona's Stain Devils #3 Ink & Crayon. It is absolutely awesome at getting out ink stains. It also removed the ink in the dryer however hairspray is a lot cheaper.

Carbona also has other spot removers such as chewing gum & glue, fat grease & oil (awesome!!!), make-up & grass, fruit & wine and many others.

These MIGHT be found at your local Wal Mart, ShopKo etc... however I can only find them at JoAnn's Fabrics and Crafts. They are about $3.49 for 1.7 fl. oz., well worth the price when your clothes are on the line. (12/29/2004)

By Sarah

Rubbing Alcohol

I just wanted to let everyone know that I used the rubbing alcohol and it's working! I'm trying it on the clothes as well and it's taking some of it off. I'll have to work at it because it's all over! Thanks so much for everyone's help! (02/25/2005)

By Happy

Rubbing Alcohol

I used Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser and rubbing alcohol. Worked perfect with not much scrubbing. (04/24/2005)

By leirej

Rubbing Alcohol

Try regular rubbing alcohol. (05/04/2005)

By Heitzler2

Lysol Spray

Hair spray worked, but lysol spray disinfectant took all the blue color out. (08/07/2005)

By Rebecca

Magic Eraser

We tried all of the above suggestions but ultimately the only two products that worked for us were Lysol and nail polish remover. Lysol was effective on the thick spots to loosen the ink only. However, the nail polish remover (non-acetone seemed to work better) soaked on a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser (with a lot of elbow grease) eventually removed all of the ink stains on the dryer drum. (09/04/2005)

By John Paul

Magic Eraser

I used the Mr Clean magic eraser with non-acetone nail polish remover and it worked like a charm. It took the blue ink out of my white dryer completely. I couldn't believe how it just came right out. The one thing that I do urge is for anyone else who may have to do this - make sure you ventilate your area as much as possible and do this task in stages - the fumes from the nail polish remover can really get to you if you don't. (09/07/2005)

By Cindy

Beware

Read the label on the inside of your dryer door. DO NOT EVER USE A FLAMMABLE SOLVENT IN THE DRYER. Even a slight residue can catch on fire. BEWARE. (10/02/2005)

By Betty

Oust

Oust and a roll of paper towels worked great. then I wiped out the dryer with a damp cloth to get the Oust out. (12/06/2005)

By Barb

Java Hand Cleaner

Java Hand Cleaner (red pump bottle) (removes grease, ink etc.) used by my husband after working on the car. Does take elbow grease but works even better than the nail polish remover because it has a "grit" in the product. Dryer is still stained but the majority of ink is gone. (12/09/2005)

By Laurie

Magic Eraser

I would also like to thank Cindy for her assistance. After trying Clorox Cleanup, Clorox Bleach, alcohol, Simple Green and calling the manufacturer, that was not helpful, I tried Mr. Clean Magic Eraser with non-acetone nail polish remover. All of the ink came out of my dryer. I had so much ink I had to use two erasers but it worked. Thanks Cindy. (03/12/2006)

By Stephanie V

Thanks

I just want to say thanks to the super solution. I went out and purchased the remover and a magic eraser and within 30 minutes you could hardly tell there was a problem. You guys really saved my rear end, because I live with my girlfriend and she would have killed me. (07/29/2006)

By Frank0075

Wow!

I just tried the non-acetone and Magic eraser. WOW! I also wiped out the dryer with soft scrub and water. Then about an hour or two later wiped it all out with 1/4 cup bleach and water to remove any residue from the cleaners. (08/07/2006)

By Kari.

Dawn Power Desolver

A different solution that worked great. Dawn Power Desolver and a little elbow grease got the ink right out. And no bad fumes! In less than 30 minutes the dryer looked like new. (08/25/2006)

By Diane

My Experience

I too ran into this problem in my almost new dryer. My 16 year old daughter washed and dried some clothes and came to me that there was a pen in the dryer and red spots all over the dryer drum and clothes. I read most of your posts and did a quick test on a few spots with different cleaners. Clorox Bleach® seemed to work best. BUT - I did not then rub every spot - that would be amazingly tedious. The dryer tumbles! I took an old white bath towel and put it in a pail of bleach and water (I used 2 cups to 1 gallon), squeezed it until it was not too heavy but still dripping wet and threw the towel in the dryer on Fluff (no heat) cycle. after (4) 20 minutes cycles my dryer was perfectly clean! I then dried an old blanket that i did not care if a last remnant of the stain got on for a few hours to make sure it was all out - it was! Good luck! Now off to the dry cleaners. (09/13/2006)

By Master Guru

Thanks

I recently dried a black ink pen in our brand new dryer, less than a week old. There was ink everywhere, after an hour of scrubbing with little result, the stains had lightened but that was it, I went to bed to try again in the morning. I used the non acetone and magic eraser after running my dryer for 10 minutes to heat the ink and UNBELIEVABLE! I wiped the stains away in less than 10 minutes, no scrubbing. Thanks for the advise. (09/13/2006)

By RW

Corningware Cleaner & Conditioner

I used Corningware Cleaner & Conditioner to remove the ink marks from my dryer drum. I use this stuff on my Ceran top stove, so figured it would be gentle enough to use on the dryer drum. Worked great and didn't take much elbow grease! (10/14/2006)

By L.E.

Thanks

Thank you all for the brilliant suggestion of using nail polish remover and Mr Clean magic erasers. I had already used soft scrub with bleach, oxi clean, and the magic erasers and got some of it off but it looks perfect now with the nail polish remover. I left a pen in my scrub top, and away it went in to the washer and dryer. If you do this use the others recommendations of using a fan to air the room out and open all the windows. I am SO THANKFUL for all of your help. (10/15/2006)

By Lisa

Wait To Use Dryer After Cleaning!

Give it at least an hour after cleaning so that the fumes can dissipate. Leave the door open. (10/30/2006)

By Amanda

Acetone Nail Polish Remover

I had to remove quite a bit of blue ballpoint pen ink from inside my dryer drum. I read the posts and what I found our was this. A Mr. Clean Magic Eraser works with non-acetone nail polish remover, but only so well. I then used an acetone based nail polish remover with the eraser and it did a WAY better job! After 98% of the ink got removed, I washed a big towel in very bleach water then I dried it on the cool setting for 20 minutes, 3 times. This removed any chemical traces and got the drum as good as it could be! The best solution that I've found is to double check your pockets before washing! Good luck! (11/11/2006)

By Big Mike

Stains on Clothing

"And has anyone tried removing the ink from clothes? Some of our clothing got stained and I was wondering if there was an easier way to get rid of it instead of bringing it to the cleaners or scrubbing it for hours in cold water."

My daughter's husband washed a gel pen. White shirts with ink stains went thru the dryer. Used 409 on the dryer and for the shirts they soaked them in BIZ stain remover. Worked great. (11/18/2006)

By Pam

Two Step Process

After trying everything I found a solution that works!

It is a two step process.

Step One: Put rubbing Alcohol in a spray bottle - spray drum, let stand for a few minutes with door shut. Open to air out with window open than clean. Or take a more longer less smell method and clean with a rag soaked in alcohol.

Step Two: Use straight bleach. Pour bleach in a large mouth measuring cup - fits in dryer well. Apply to dryer with a old rag completely soaking & covering surface, shut dryer let stand for 30 min. If necessary repeat, soak up bleach with old towel and wash drum out completely.

Test dryer with old colored towel to make sure bleach is completely washed out before using.

Your dryer is white once again! (11/20/2006)

By guest

Kaboom Cleaner

Thanks for the info, also found that using Kaboom cleaner takes the ink right out, heat the dryer first, then use the bleached towel afterwards to make sure all the cleaner comes out. Don't use the Spray Kaboom, use the cleanser version in the squeeze bottle that looks like an upside down ketchup bottle. (01/17/2007)

By Derek

Magic Eraser

Magic eraser and nail polish remover! WORKS LIKE A CHARM! Let the dryer heat up for about 10 minutes then go to work. No elbow grease needed. You are left with a spotless dryer and a little bit of a headache from the fumes. (01/27/2007)

By Jessie P

Gojo

Gojo (abrasive orange garage soap/cleaner) works great! No need to de-fume or heat up dryer before hand. Just use a kitchen sponge to scrub on and a wet washcloth to wash off and you're all done! (01/28/2007)

By Tara

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How to you get ink out of dryer?

Janice from Harrisonburg, VA

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RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

The bleach+towels trick worked for me! What I did instead of using pure bleach is I sprayed Clorox Clean-Up on the dryer drum. Then I tossed two rags and a towel in the dryer. Every 15 minutes stopped the dryer and sprayed more Clorox Clean-Up. The dryer looks great! (02/17/2007)

By Robinson

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I had a fit when my son dried his clothes with a ballpoint pen in his pocket. I had blue ink everywhere in drum, what a mess. I tried the magic sponge and non acetone nail polish remover on warm drum, worked pretty good. Drum still has a slight blue tinge, I'll try that bleach towel next. (02/21/2007)

By Ralph

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

When I got up this morning and saw my stainless steel and white dryer cover in black ink due to an exploded pen I thought it was ruined. Hubby and I used goo gone and then rubbing alcohol to get it off as much as we could and then we soaked a towel in water and poured bleach all over the towel and rung it out slightly and tossed it in the dryer on high heat - we did this two times and the dryer is as good as new - no more ink stains! We ran a regular soaking wet towel to get off the bleach residue and also a dryer sheet to remove the smell. Thank God all is well and I will always remember to check those pockets. (02/22/2007)

By Nstr

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

Nail polish remover seemed to work just fine. I still have some light blue smears here and there, but otherwise good as new! Thanks for posting this stuff! I wonder if paint thinner would work? (02/24/2007)

By charlie

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

My tenant ruined my new drier! I tried rubbing with alchohol, nail polish remover etc etc. I read this and tried the bleach and towel trick. I am AMAZED. Just put a bleach & water soaked old towel in the drier and run at 30 minute intervals re-soaking the towel. It took me three times, but I cannot believe how easy and how well this worked. Thanks! (03/10/2007)

By Pat, Florida

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I recently had my first "pen in the dryer" experience. I thought I ruined the dryer. Nonetheless, I looked on this forum and tried the Magic Eraser, with nail polish remover. I cleaned the dryer a section at a time, going back over each section with clean water to remove the nail polish remover from the dryer, and to prevent the fumes from smelling my house up too bad. (I recommed opening your windows as well.) I soaked a towel in diluted bleach and put it in the dryer with a few dryer sheets to take the remaining smell out of the dryer. I love you guys! It worked, my dryer is clean again! Thank you! (03/25/2007)

By Guest

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

Thanks for all your good info. I sent a gel ink pen through the wash and dryer, and found it when I came back from vacation. It looked like someone took a paintbrush and black paint and swabbed the inside of my couple month old dryer. Alcohol and the Mr.Clean Magic Sponge did the trick, although you still have to be a bit of a contortionist and breathe deeply outside of the dryer. I rewashed my inked clothes using the Oxy Clean, baking soda and laundry soap recipe with mixed results. Some came out clean, and some still need some work. I appreciate all the help! (04/15/2007)

By MEK

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

Thank you! Whoever discovered the bleached soaked towels! My dryer was scary, believe me. The towels soaked in bleach worked perfect. I can hardly believe it. Of course my whole house and my hands will smell like bleach for a week but its a small price to pay! I did do it 3 times but only to be certain. I recommend that. (06/01/2007)

By Candie

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I had an ink pen explode in dryer. I tried acetone last night, it helped but there is still light blue everywhere. Please help, it's a brand new dryer!

LISA from Tulsa, OK

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RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I have a duet dryer and the fingernail polish remover worked wonderfully! I was able to get it gone before the hubby found it. Thank-you!!!! (06/08/2007)

By Sherry

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I was amazed when I used the magic eraser and nail polish remover to get the ink stain out of my brand new dryer. It worked great, my dryer looks great. Thanks for the tip. Just keep going the smell and headache are worth the end result. (07/18/2007)

By Jackie

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

OK, I would have never believed it. I simply sprayed Clorox Clean-up in my dryer and threw a few towels/rags into the dryer and ran it for about 15 min. I really didn't expect it to work that easily. Just in case I missed any ink, I sprayed one more time. Thanks so much for the idea! (08/02/2007)

By Debbie

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I used Joy dish soap and a pan scrubber, hard work but the ink is all gone! (08/20/2007)

By

Bleach works!

I soaked 4 bar mop towels I got earlier from Target in bleach and water (they are hand towel size) since they were already white. I ran the dryer on "low." I checked it in 15 minutes and the dryer was COMPLETELY CLEAN! I was so amazed that trick work. Best of all, there was NO ELBOW GREASE INVOLVED! Thank you to those who suggested the bleach and towel trick! We had a gel pen explode in the dryer yesterday. (10/24/2007)

By Cheryl

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

Using a cheap cologne (doesn't smell bad like bleach) and magic eraser works great! I just cleaned my drying for the second time in a year due to ink. I used this site the first time too. (11/20/2007)

By Jo

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

My son did the ink pen in the dryer too. Most of his school clothes were in there covered with ink as well as my 3 mo. old dryer drum. Non-acetone finger nail polish remover took it out of the dryer drum fairly easily. As for the clothes.... I SAVED THE CLOTHES! I couldn't believe it but I read on a site about a Biz boil. I boiled 1 item at a time in a large pot on my stove. Dissolve 1 cup of Biz laundry additive in the pot as it starts to boil and add the item of clothing. I did spray them with Spray n Wash right before dropping them in the water. The ink changed colors and disappeared! Some took up to 45 mins but it's worth the wait. I put them in the washer after the boil and washed with Tide and Biz. I got the ink out of 4 Hollister shirts that had white collars with white and colored stripes on the body AND 3 pairs of tan Polo pants. Try this before you toss the clothes! It works! These clothes were covered with hundreds of ink spots! (01/15/2008)

By Dawn

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I used an orange-based product called Orange Blast that worked great! Sprayed it on and wiped with a rag and the ink came right off. And it's not flammable or odorous. My next load just smelled pleasantly of oranges. Not to mention- no noxious fumes while you shoulder deep in the dryer! You might try it. I'm just so glad I didn't have to buy a new dryer! BTW- It worked on the laundry too. (01/16/2008)

By Jennifer M.

RE: Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I tried the nail polish remover & it did not work, I tried the perfume & no luck there either. I finally tried the bleach/water on an old towel/rag & ran that in the dryer for about 30 mins. Wow! It worked! After that was done I wiped out the dryer with warm water & ran a few dryer sheets in the dryer for 10 mins. So glad I googled my problem & found these ideas. thanks! (02/14/2008)

By Wendy

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Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

Help! I had a pen get loose in the dryer.

Citecr

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RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

You may use Rubbing Alcohol. Use a rag or an old washcloth and pour a little bit of rubbing alcohol on it and start rubbing on the ink spot in your dryer. Repeat the process until done. Because of the fumes it is necessary to open your windows. you may have to work at it several time or you may get light headed. Once you have most ot the ink removed (you may not be able to remove all of it), overall if it is on the seals and joints... wait till the fumes are disipated then run your empty dryer on heat for one cycle. See if some of the ink is running or melting and wipe the dryer drum thoroughly, then run your dryer through another hot cycle, this time with an old light colored towel or rag. When the cycle is over you will then see if you have any residue on the towel or rag. It worked for me. (06/11/2004)

By Mary F

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

My dryer had ink from a ballpoint pen all over the inside. I used Mr. Clean Magic Eraser dipped in non-acetone fingernail polish remover. It took 4 erasers and two bottles of polish remover. It worked, but the fumes are deadly. We had to move the dryer into the garage and open the garage door to get enough ventilation. Also, we had to wipe a bit, then walk away and take breaths of fresh air, then repeat that process for a couple of hours. After cleaning the ink out, we washed down the inside with water and Mr. Clean. After letting the inside dry out, I ran a load of clothing through last night and it is just fine now. (09/19/2006)

By Lynn

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

I used a old bottle of perfume - took me about 10 minutes. The alcohol in the perfume is what does it. (09/22/2006)

By Debbie

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

After reviewing the responses, I used perfume. It took me no more than 5 minutes to clean the whole drum. Thanks for saving me. (09/26/2006)

By

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

I used the perfume and it worked great, how did you get rid of the perfume scent? (01/25/2007)

By The Redmonds

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

I used the perfume and it definitely worked. Unfortunately I didn't check here first. I spent 1 1/2 hours scrubbing first. The perfume works and then I used alcohol to try to neutralize the perfume smell. It really didn't take the smell away and my son isn't going to like that his military fatigues smell like JLO perfume. (it was his pen) (04/10/2007)

By Shelley L

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

I used rubbing alcohol and then a wet towel to soak up the fumes and excess ink. Only took me 10 minutes or so. (04/14/2007)

By AJ

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

The perfume worked. It does matter which perfume you use. First I tried Avon soft musk. It wasn't working fast enough, so I went to my dresser and found Avon comfort scents(cheaper stuff) Holiday Kiss. It started to run immediately. The ink in my dryer was all over in it and had been used by the hubby with the ink in it a few times, which probably baked it on harder. Thanks for tips. (06/12/2007)

By Chris

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

A pen exploded in our new dryer and my husband used rubbing alcohol and a paper towel and the ink came right off with no problem. We ran an old wet towel in it to make sure there was no ink residue left and it helped eliminate the smell of the alcohol. (06/28/2007)

By Anonymous

RE: Cleaning Ink out of Inside of the Dryer

Wow, that really worked! Old body spray - spray it on - walk away for a few minutes to not get asphyxiated and then go back in and wipe. I repeated until it was 80/20 and then added the rest of the perfume to a small wet handtowel and 'dried' on hot. Worked like a charm! thanks ya'll. Wasn't sure what I was going to do about that! (09/27/2007)

By Anonymous

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How do you remove ink from a dryer? And Clothes?

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I need help removing ink from a dryer. I give high marks for the suggestion of nail polish remover and Mr Clean eraser pad.

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How do I get blue ink out off the walls of a clothes dryer?

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How do you remove pen ink from your clothes dryer? Hubby said it will not hurt anything else as it is baked on, but I am afraid it will.

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

Is it safe to use alcohol in your dryer to get pen ink stains out?

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How do I get ink out of a dryer?

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Ink In Dryer

Recently my nephew washed his clothes with his back pack. As usual he left them in the washer.

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Ink In Dryer

An ink pen exploded in the dryer. I cannot remove the ink stains from the dryer.

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

My husband's work jacket had a blue ink pen in it. He forgot to take it out. I never checked and now I need to find out how I can get my dryer ink free.

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I recently washed and dried a pen in a my husband's pants pocket. Needless to say, the dryer was filled with spots of ink. A friend suggested, I soak some all white towels in bleach, ring them out, and run the dryer through a cycle or two. It was like magic! The ink had virtually disappeared, and the towels were also spotless.

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I want to know how to remove dried ink from the dryer drum.

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How do I remove gel ink from my dryer?

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How can I get ink out of my dryer? It's all over the dryer drum.

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How do you clean ink from a dryer?

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How do I get ink out of my dryer?

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

How do I remove gel pen ink stains from clothes dryer?

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

After a pen exploded in our dryer I used a combination that excludes finger nail polish remover. Try Awesome, a liquid cleaner, with some cleaning eraser pads. Expect a lot of elbow grease, but it's worth it.

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Cleaning Ink Out of a Dryer

I dried an ink pen with a load of clothes. I need to know how to get it out of the dryer. Thanks for any help.