How to Remove Ink Stains from a Dryer

By Matt Oden | Comments | Ink and Dye Stains → Ink | Metal Stains → Dryer

Ink stains on the walls of your dryer are a common, but nevertheless frustrating problem. If you know how to remove ink from a dryer, you'll save both your dryer and the next load of clothes you need to dry.

The difficulty of removing the stain will vary based on the type of pen that the dryer. A discussion of the chemicals found in ink is added to the bottom of this article.

Method 1 - Remove Ink Stain from Dryer with Bleach and Old Towels

The most common way to remove an ink stain from a dryer is as follows:

Make a mixture of water and bleach (2 parts water : 1 bleach).
Soak some old rags and towels in the mixture for 1 min.
Wring the towels to remove excess moisture. You don't want the towels to be dripping wet.
Dry on HOT for 30 - 45 minutes until dry.
Check to see if you've removed the ink stain from the dryer walls.

If the ink stain is not removed from the dryer wall, then repeat process or try another method listed below.

Method 2 - Remove Ink Stain from Dryer with Rubbing Alcohol

It is possible to remove ink stains from the dryer with rubbing alcohol. Simply follow these steps:

Apply rubbing alcohol to a rag
Apply strong pressure and rub the ink stained parts of the dryer wall

Rubbing alcohol is extremely useful in removing stains because of it's chemical composition and with a bit of elbow grease, you should be able to get the ink off the dryer in no time.

Method 3 - Remove Ink Stain from Dryer with Hairspray

This unique and stylish approach to removing an ink stain from the dryer requires that the stained parts of the dryer walls be sprayed with hairspray and vigourously rubbed. I cannot say from experience that I've tried this style of cleaning ink, but if you have a bottle, you may want to see if hairspray is able to break down the ink for an easy rub-off.

Method 4 - Remove Ink Stain from Dryer with Acetone (Nail Polish Remover)

Yet another way to get ink stains off the dryer walls; Acetone, which removes ink stains quite easily. It is a general cleaner that many women keep and is a lacquer. The acetone helps to break down the chemical bonds in the ink stain. You simply need to:

Generously apply acetone to a rag or cloth
Rub the ink stained dryer vigorously

More Info - Why Does Ink Stain and How to Get Ink Stain out?

Ink stains because they are made with pigments and dyes that are carried with fluid and are intended to make a mark, or stain, in the area of application. Of course, this can cause quite a dilemna when you're desperately trying to save a blouse or your favorite pair of jeans.

Pigments are crystaline structures that are suspended within inks and solvents. When the ink comes in contact with a fabric, the pigment will attach to the surface materials and stain the item.

Dyes are the most commonly used items in pens because they are cheaper to produce. Dyes are made of solvents that will quickly evaporate allowing the dyes themselves to mark, or stain, an object.

If you remember the old adage about Clean Like with Like, then you will begin to understand the steps above that use various solvents to remove ink from dryer walls.

A Warning about the Dryer Drum Stain

In certain cases the ink stain in the clothes dryer can become very damaged with ink and it can take several loads to remove all the traces of ink. When trying to remove ink stains from a dryer, you have to be comitted to washing some items repeatedly that you are comfortable risking stained clothes with.

In some cases you will never be able to remove ink stains from the dryer and you will be able to see them for dozens, if not, hundreds of loads of laundry. However, this does not mean that the dryer ink stain will continue to stain your clothes.

Eventually, the dye and pigment that remains will be chemically adhered to the dryer drum and will not be able to be easiliy removed and will not stain your clothes any further.