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How to get ink out of a dryer in 6 steps.
Updated
Written by Nina Kulenkampff
Did your heart drop when you saw your freshly washed and dried laundry come out of the dryer covered in ink stains? You're not alone.
It's easy to forget to check your pockets for pens. It happens to everyone. But in your case, the sneaky stowaway pen exploded in your dryer, and it's all hands on deck to do damage control.
In this guide, we'll give you some cleaning tips and walk you through the steps to remove ink stains from your dryer.
How to get pen ink out of your dryer.
Removing pen ink stains from a dryer is easier than you might think. With some know-how and a few simple tools and supplies, your dryer will be squeaky clean in no time. Let's get started.
Step 1: Safety first.
Unplug the dryer, and put on rubber gloves and protective eye gear before you get started. Make sure there aren't any kids or pets around as you work.
Step 2: Get your supplies ready.
Some people believe using nail polish removers or bleach and water to remove ink stains from a dryer is a good idea. While nail polish removers can be used, we are taking a softer approach that won't damage the next batch of laundry which goes into your dryer.
Here's what you need:
- rubbing alcohol
- dish soap
- warm water
- damp towel or cloth
- cotton balls
- soft bristle brush
- melamine foam/sponge or magic erasers (if you have them)
Step 3: Empty the dryer.
Remove all items from the dryer. Check all of them for stains. Set items with dry ink stains aside to treat later. (Cleaning those stained pieces of laundry is a task of its own.)
Step 4: Treat the ink stains.
Grab a container of rubbing alcohol and dampen the cotton balls. Then, gently dab the stained surface. Don't skip this step, as the rubbing alcohol is a solvent that prepares the ink for the next step.
Step 5: Clean the dryer drum and paddles.
Dampen the magic eraser, sponge or soft bristle brush with warm water and light dish soap. Next, start to wipe the drum clean. Rinse the eraser, sponge or brush and repeat until you can't see the stains any longer. This may take anywhere from a few seconds to 20 minutes, depending on how much ink must be wiped away.
Step 6: Rinse and dry the drum and paddles.
Once you have removed the stains, rinse the inside of the drum with clean water. When you're sure all the soapy water and ink are gone, use a clean, dry cloth or towel to dry the drum and paddles. Leave your dryer's door open for a few hours to ensure it dries completely.
Hire a dryer or cleaning professional on Thumbtack.
Depending on the damage done by the ink, you may want to outsource the cleaning or repair work. A local professional handyman or appliance technician will know exactly what to do.
Download the Thumbtack app and find a pro near you who can do anything from cleaning or servicing to repairing your dryer.
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