Michigan State University Extension
Home Maintenance And Repair - 01500253
06/24/03
Dryer Cleaning
If crayon gets into the dryer and melts onto the drum,
remove as much as possible with non-flammable household
cleaner such as Top Job, Mr. Clean, Soft Scrub, etc.
(READ LABEL TO BE SURE). A flammable cleaner could cause
a fire in the dryer. Apply cleaner to a sponge or cloth
and wipe interior. Do NOT spray or pour on interior; it
might get down inside dryer. Wipe off with rags or paper
towels. Then tumble old rags to remove any residue left,
until no more comes off. A colored stain may remain on
the drum.
If a drum is spotted by starched or tinted articles,
wipe the interior with a cloth moistened with a diluted
bleach solution. Use a sponge or clean cloth, dipped in
suds, to remove the bleach solution from the drum. Rinse
well and dry.
If dryer is used to dry unlaundered clothing, such as
childrens snow pants between outings, wipe the drum with
suds and rinse. This will remove any dirt before clean
laundry is placed into the machine.
Wipe the door opening occasionally. Clean the
exterior with suds and rinse. To protect the finish,
polish with an appliance wax.
A case of white clothes coming out of a dryer blue!
New jeans had been washed and then dried in that dryer
just before. Sometimes dye will come off new blue jeans
and dry on the inside of the dryer drum, and then
transfer to the next batch of wet clothes put inside.
Good to check dryer drum after load of brand new jeans.
If dye coated, clean all inside with soapy water until no
color comes off on the cleaning cloth. Wipe off all soapy
residue with clean wet cloth.
Ink on the Dryer Drum
Use all purpose cleaner such as By Pas, Fantastic,
or Formula 409. After the drum is cool, put undiluted
cleaner on a cloth or pad of paper towel, and rub area.
DO NOT apply the solution directly on the drum. Wipe drum
thoroughly with a damp cloth or paper towels to remove
all solution. Let the dryer stand for several hours with
door open before using, to be sure all the solvent vapors
from the cleaner have evaporated into the air, as these
are flammable. This should remove most ball point or felt
tip marker inks.
This article was written by Anne Field, Extension
Specialist, Emeritus with references from the Whirlpool
Laundry Notebook, and the Maytag Corporation.
This information is for educational purposes only. References
to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not
mentioned. This information becomes public property upon
publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU
Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise
a commercial product or company.
MSU is an affirmative-action, equal-opportunity employer. Michigan State
University Extension programs and materials are open to all without regard to race,
color, national origin, gender, gender identity, religion, age, height, weight, disability,
political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital status, family status or veteran status.
Issued in furtherance of MSU Extension work, acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in
cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Thomas G. Coon, Director,
MSU Extension, East Lansing,MI 48824. This information is for educational
purposes only. Reference to commercial products or trade names does not imply
endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned.
This file was generated from data base 02 on 02/04/08.
Data base 02 was last revised on 06/24/03.
For more information about this data base or its contents please contact
strausc@msu.edu .