How to Get Ink Out of Your Dryer the Easiest Way

Laundry mishaps happen. A pen gets left in a jeans pocket and explodes in the dryer leaving ink all over the clothes and the dryer drum and paddles.

Whatever the disaster, it is important to get rid of any ink residue from your dryer drum quickly because it can be transferred to the next load of clean clothes.

Learn four easy ways to remove ink from a dryer.

What You'll Need

Several methods work well to remove the ink stains depending on the type of ink in the drum. Every method uses cleaning products you probably have on hand like dishwashing liquid, baking soda, rubbing alcohol, a melamine eraser, or chlorine bleach.

Try one and if it doesn't work, move to the next, and soon the ink will be gone.

Before You Begin

After you have unloaded the clothes and discovered the mishap, inspect each item for ink stains. Immediately start the stain removal process to save the clothes before you tackle the stains in the dryer drum.

Once the clothes have been treated, take some safety precautions before cleaning the dryer drum. Unplug the dryer, use protective gloves and eyewear during cleaning, be sure there is good ventilation in the laundry area, and avoid any toxic or flammable products.

Start with Dishwashing Liquid and Baking Soda

Dishwashing liquid, warm water, baking soda, and a microfiber cloth will often take care of the problem. Mix a soapy solution and saturate the cloth. Wring the cloth until it is not dripping and wipe the ink-stained areas.

Give the solution at least 60 seconds to break down the ink. Sprinkle the damp cloth with some baking soda and scrub the stains.

The baking soda acts as a gentle abrasive to help loosen the ink. When the ink is gone, use a cloth dipped in plain water to remove any soapy residue.

Use Rubbing Alcohol

The experts at GE recommend the same rubbing alcohol used to remove ink stains from fabric and leather to remove ink from the dryer drum.

Use an old white towel or sponge dampened with alcohol to remove the ink. It may take several applications and some elbow grease to remove all the ink. Keep moving your cleaning cloth to a clean spot to prevent redistributing the ink.

Rinse by wiping down the drum with a clean cloth or sponge dampened with plain water. Leave the dryer door open for one hour to allow any accumulated fumes to dissipate before using the dryer.

Grab a Melamine Sponge

Calling a melamine sponge Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser wasn't a mistake. The gentle abrasive action of the sponge will often remove ink from the dryer drum quickly.

Be sure to dampen the sponge thoroughly. Use even pressure and stop as soon as you see that the ink has disappeared. Rinse the spot with a damp cloth to remove any gritty residue.

Tumble a Bleach-Soaked Towel

If none of the other methods got rid of the ink, you can try using a chlorine bleach-soaked towel. Be sure to follow the steps carefully because leaving any trace of bleach in the dryer could ruin your next load of dark-colored laundry.

In a large bowl or sink, mix a solution of two cups of chlorine bleach and two cups of water. Submerge a bath-sized towel or several small kitchen towels and soak the towel until it is thoroughly wet.

Wearing protective gloves, wring it out and place the towel in the dryer. Set the dryer to timed dry for 20 minutes.

Once the time is up, remove the dry towel. Rinse the interior of the drum with a clean, wet towel to remove any traces of bleach.

As a final precaution, dampen a load of old rags or white towels and run a dryer cycle.

Additional Tips to Remove Ink From Dryer Drum

• Mix equal amounts of distilled white vinegar and hot water. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the solution and scrub the stained areas.
• Dampen a paper towel with fingernail polish remover and apply it to the ink. Be sure to rinse the area well to remove the chemicals and wait at least an hour before using the dryer so that all fumes are gone.
• Spray a small amount of WD-40 on a paper towel and wipe it on the ink. When the ink is gone, wash the area with warm, soapy water and rinse well to remove the residual chemicals. Allow the fumes to dissipate before using the dryer.