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by Lew Day on January 24th, 2004

Lew Day

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A pen exploded in my clothes dryer. How can I clean the dryer?

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Answers. 7 helpful answers below.

  • by Em3rald on January 25th, 2004

    Em3rald

    Okay, I can help here.

    First, you should determine what kind of ink has been spread around your dryer. Also, the answer could depend on whether or not a large amount of lint is stuck to the ink as this may decrease the effectiveness of some cleaning methods.

    If the ink is a normal ball-point pen, like a Bic or something, generally you can use a light solvent. For example, Methanol (also called Methyl Hydrate or Methyl alcohol) works great because it should disolve most inks without leaving a flammable residue. It is important, however, that the dryer is COOL if using a solvent because many of them can 'flash' at elevated temperatures. I'll give you a list of other solvents in a minute.

    You can also use commercially available cleaners specially formulated for removing ink. In Canada, we can buy one called 'TKO' which is a citrus based cleaner which utilizes a chemical called 'LIMONENE'. There are other spellings of this word. Limonene is also in many other household stain removers. If it is present, it will very likely do a good job. You can also buy products called "Goo Gone" or "Goof Off" which utilise "petroleum distillates" which means it contains more than one light solvent. These are good for cleaning up stuff like ink in a dryer, but be sure to read EVERYTHING about the product. They can be dangerous if not used carefully.

    Other pens which utilize permanent or alcohol based inks can be removed with either the same solvents as mentioned above, or heavier ones such as Acetone which is the primary constituent of nail-polish remover. Again, be sure to use ONLY ON A COOL surface.

    List of solvents, in a general order of effectiveness.

    Methanol - virtually harmless on skin, evaporates quickly, leaves no residue - mildly poisonous
    Isopropyl Alcohol (rubbing alcohol)- totally harmless on skin - poisonous
    Limonene - not particularly flammable, smells good, may leave an orange scented residue - pure limonene isn't terrible for skin and isn't particularly poisonous.
    Acetone - not safe for use near flame or heat. May leave a whitish residue and may remove baked-on enamel inside. Poisonous, not good for your skin. Vapors are harmful.
    Mineral Spirits - may not work, leaves residue, smells bad, is bad for your skin and poisonous.
    Toluene - Leaves little to no residue, poisonous, very harmful vapors, not safe near heat or flame. Works like magic on most inks.
    Xylene - similar to Toluene, only more powerful, and worse for you ... all kinds of bad effects on you. But man does it work!
    Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) - NASTY EVIL STUFF - works like freaking magic ... hell, the vapors might remove the enamel on the inside.

    Heh heh heh ... yea, so anyway ... most of these products can be purchased at a paint store. ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS read labels when using chemicals such as the ones I have mentioned. I cannot be held responsible if you hurt yourself with anything I have indicated.

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  • by netate on April 27th, 2006

    netate

    Oh how true with the hairspray works in an instant

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  • by Mikey1 on July 23rd, 2009

    Mikey1

    This just happened to me with a brand new dryer!! I tired everything, and this is truly what worked the best:

    1) Use acetone (nail polish remover) and scrub the ink spots as much as possible, changing the cloth or rag used regularly. This will take a lot of it off. But be careful of the harmful fumes - try not to breath any of it in.

    2) Rinse the dryer drum very very well with water because the acetone is flammable. Do this by taking water in a bottle, and pour it into the dryer - then wipe it down thoroughly and repeat a couple times to make sure that all the acetone has been wiped off.

    3) Soak 4 or 5 towels in bleach and water (more bleach than water), throw them into the dryer, and run on high. Repeat this step if necessary.

    My dryer looks BRAND NEW again!!!!

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  • by Anonymous on October 21st, 2008

    Anonymous

    It just happened to me. I went with the online answer of throwing Clorox soaked rags in the dryer for 1-2hours which did not work...the rags disintegrated and wrecked the dryer.

    Acetone (after the fact) worked well to remove it all- just be sure to rinse with a damp cloth before starting up dryer again.

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  • by moohouse on June 11th, 2004

    moohouse

    Believe me here... hair spray. does it everytime. let the dryer cool first. spray directly on the area. use paper towels to wipe away, you may need to do this a few times but it will work, there may be a faint tint on the walls of the dryer but this will not come off onto the next set of clothes you dry. after you wipe the ink away, you should wipe again with a clean wet ( with water) cloth. My teenage sons leave ink pens in their pockets constantly. I have done this many times. Hairspray will remove ink from almost anything!

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  • by Anonymous on October 13th, 2007

    Anonymous

    Just happened to me too and I used nail polish remover. It worked instantly. I washed the inside of the dryer down with water afterwards just to insure there wouldn't be anything flammable remaining. THANKS!

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  • by usa-dryer-guy on July 5th, 2007

    usa-dryer-guy

    Call a Local Appliance Repair Center in your Area!
    maybe the Tumbler needs to be replaced.

    If it is Flammable Ink, You may just want to get a new Dryer!

    www.AirDuctCleaning.com/blog

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