How to Clean a Dryer

Despite even the most careful laundry-sorting and pocket-checking, inevitably something will sneak into your dryer that shouldn’t be there: a pen, crayon, hand grenade — and it willl cause a mess. A few simple tricks can help you remedy this problem. Different messes require different procedures for cleaning.

What You Will Need*:

Several cleaning rags
WD-40 Spray
Bucket of soapy water (using mild dish soap)
Bucket of clean water
All-Purpose Spray Cleaner (i.e. 409, Fantastik, etc.)
Credit card or plastic spatula
A hair dryer
Rubbing (Isoprophyl) Alcohol
Dryer sheets

*Removing different types of stains requires different techniques, so you may not need all of these items, depending upon the type of stain.

Important Safety Tip: Before attempting to clean your dryer, it is important to UNPLUG YOUR DRYER. This should be done whether your dryer is gas or electric. NEVER attempt to clean your dryer when it is still plugged in as you run the risk of electrocution!

Removing Crayon from the Dryer

Check the interior drum for any stuck-on crayon (the drum can be spun for easy assessment).
If there are any chunks of crayon on the interior drum, scrape them off with the plastic credit card or spatula.
Spray a small amount of WD-40 on a cleaning rag. NEVER spray any cleaning solution including WD-40 directly into the dryer as the residue may get into the drum holes and cause a serious fire hazard!
Using the rag, rub any areas containing crayon marks. They should come off with a little scrubbing.
Wet another rag with the soapy water and wash the interior of the drum, paying special attention to the area that you just wiped with the WD-40.
Wet another rag with the clean water and rinse the interior of the drum, paying special attention to the area you just wiped with the WD-40.
Dry the interior of the drum with a clean rag.

Warning: If you’ve used any type of cleaning solvent in your dryer other than plain soap and water, ALWAYS leave the door open on your dryer after cleaning, and DO NOT use for several hours to allow any fumes or residue to dissipate - otherwise you may run the risk of fire or explosion!

Removing Ink from the Dryer

Spray a small amount of all-purpose cleaner onto a cleaning rag. NEVER spray any cleaning solution directly into the dryer as the residue may get into the drum holes and damage the dryer or cause a serious fire hazard!
Rub the dampened rag on the ink stain, being sure to check the entire drum from stains (if there is one ink stain, there are probably more).
If the ink stain does not come off (some or more stubborn than others, depending upon the type of pen), dampen another cleaning rag with rubbing alcohol, and scrub the stain. It should come off with some effort.
If you’ve used alcohol, wet another rag with the soapy water, and wash the interior of the drum, paying special attention to the area that you just wiped with the alcohol.
Wet another rag with the clean water, and rinse the interior of the drum.
Dry the interior of the drum with a clean rag.

Removing Candy or Gum from the Dryer

If the candy or gum has hardened and is stuck to the drum, use a blow dryer to remove it. Hold the blow dryer about 6 inches from the candy or gum and use the hot air setting to soften the item (this should take less than a minute).
Using a plastic credit card or spatula, scrape the item off the side of the drum.
Spray a small amount of all-purpose cleaner to a cleaning rag. NEVER spray any cleaning solution directly into the dryer as the residue may get into the drum holes and damage the dryer or cause a serious fire hazard!
Scrub any remaining stain with the dampened rag.
Wet another rag with the clean water, and rinse the interior of the drum.
Dry the interior of the drum with a clean rag.

Removing Dye from the Dryer

(i.e. from clothing that is not color-fast):

Dampen a dryer sheet, and run it along the inside of the dryer drum, using as may sheets as necessary to wipe down the entire drum. You should continue doing this until the dryer sheet comes out clean, with no dye marks.
Wet a clean rag with the soapy water and wash the interior of the drum.
Wet another rag with the clean water and rinse the interior of the drum.
Dry the interior of the drum with a clean rag.

Additional Tips and Advice:

After cleaning a stain from your dryer, before running a fresh load of laundry, run a test load of old towels or rags to make sure the stain is gone.
Regardless of whether you have a stain on your dryer or not, the interior should be routinely cleaned (about once a month) with a rag dampened with warm soapy water, and rinsed with another rag dipped in clean water.
When drying the interior of your dryer, avoid using ordinary bath towels as they cause lint. Use a lint-free cleaning rag or cloth.