First few minutes
Just happened? Do this first
- Stop the dryer and unplug it before you touch the drum.
- Take the load out and keep it away from the dryer until it's checked.
- Don't dry marked clothes again until the ink is gone.
Ink in the dryer usually means a leaking pen has smeared across the drum and every item in the load. Fresh marks come off with far less effort than ink that has dried onto the metal. Stainless drums are the ones to treat gently, because harsh chemicals and scrubbing can leave their own damage.
Start with a stainless steel cleaner on the drum, and check whether yours is the black stainless type first. Pen ink on clothes that came out of the dryer needs its own treatment once the drum is clean. If ink has baked onto the metal and won't lift, stop and call a professional before you push harder.
Before you start
What dryer can take
Safe to use1
- Water
Use with care2
- Soaking
- Acids (vinegar, lemon)
Avoid3
- Chlorine bleach
- Solvents (alcohol, spot removers)
- Scrubbing and abrasives
4 items
What you'll need
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- FlashlightShows the ink marks in the shadowy parts of the drum.
- Mild liquid dish soapGoes into the warm water for the soapy wipe. (opens Amazon)
- Soft clothsUsed for the soapy wipe and the dry finish, so the drum isn't scratched. (opens Amazon)
- Old towels or ragsRun through the dryer to pick up the residue left behind.
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5 steps
Step by step
Step 1 of 5
Unplug the dryer first
Unplug the power cord before you start, so the drum is safe to work in. Pull out anything loose from the drum and set it aside so you can see the whole inside.
Step 2 of 5
Find every ink mark
Use a flashlight to look inside the drum, since ink is easy to miss in the shadows. Check the drum wall, the door and the edges where the ink has collected.
Tip. Look from a few angles, because a mark can hide behind a curve.
Step 3 of 5
Wipe the ink with soapy water
Dip a cloth in warm water with a small amount of mild liquid dish soap, and wipe each mark with light pressure. Start at the outside edge of each mark and work toward the middle so the ink doesn't spread.
Tip. Rinse the cloth often in clean warm water so the ink doesn't go back onto the drum.
Careful. Don't use steel wool or steel brushes: carbon steel particles stick to stainless and rust.
Step 4 of 5
Wipe off the residue and dry
Go over the whole drum with a clean damp cloth to lift the soap and any leftover ink. Then dry the drum completely with a dry cloth, and leave the door open until it's dry.
Careful. Skip paper towels and green scrub pads here, since they scratch the drum.
Step 5 of 5
Run a damp towel cycle
Put damp towels or rags in the dryer and run a cycle to pick up any residue still in the drum. This keeps the ink off your laundry, because it doesn't transfer to the next load.
Tip. Use old towels, since they may take on ink you can't see.
If you'd rather buy than mix
Best products for ink on dryer
A mild liquid dish soap is enough for the wipe, so you don't need a specialty cleaner. Keep one cloth just for the drum so the ink doesn't spread to other loads.
Bar Keepers Friend Stainless Steel Cleaner & Polish
Howard Products Stainless Steel Cleaner for Appliances
How we picked these: each product is made for this type of stain, its maker doesn't warn against using it on dryer, and its directions fit the steps above.
Finished the steps? How does it look?
Nice work. Let it dry completely and check it again in good light. Here is what done looks like:
How to tell it's really gone →A faint mark usually needs one more round, not a stronger product.
If the stain was already dried or set, the method changes.
Old, dried or set-in stains →When to call a professional →How to tell it's working
The cloth should pick up color with each pass, and the marks should fade as you go. When a clean cloth comes away without color and the drum looks even, the wipe is done and the towel cycle can follow.
What changes for yours
Adjust for your dryer
Clothes from the dryer
Ink that has left the drum and landed on clothes needs the garment treated on its own before it goes back in. Check the care label and fiber first, because the safe approach depends on the fabric.
If you can't tell the fabric or the care label is missing, don't guess and don't use alcohol or any other cleaner; take the garment to a dry cleaner instead. If the mark came from a security tag rather than a pen, our guide to ink from security tags covers that problem.
Black stainless drum
A black or fingerprint-resistant drum needs extra care, so keep to warm soapy water and plain water. Traditional stainless cleaners aren't safe on black stainless, and no stainless cleaner belongs on a fingerprint-resistant finish.
Check the owner's manual to confirm which finish you have. Until you know, the water and soap steps are the safe choice.
Old, dried or set-in stains
Ink that has sat in the drum for a while is harder to lift than fresh marks, so the soapy water wipe may need a second pass. Work slowly and rinse the cloth often, since rubbing with a dirty cloth only moves the ink around.
Dried ink can leave a faint mark even after careful cleaning, and that's the realistic result on a drum. Repeat the soapy water wipe and the damp towel cycle once more before you decide the mark is done.
Clothes that came out of the dryer with ink on them need their own check of the care label before any cleaner touches them. If the mark stays after the drum is clean, don't dry the garment again until it's gone, and ask a dry cleaner if you're unsure.
Vinegar, baking soda, peroxide and more
Do home remedies work on ink on dryer?
Plenty of home remedies come up for ink, but many are unsafe on a drum. Here's how each remedy stacks up for a dryer drum, and why most of them should stay off it.
Works1Skip2Avoid4
What makes it worse
Mistakes to avoid
Don't use bleach or chloride cleaners
Chlorides, including bleach and chloride surface wipes, damage the protective chromium oxide layer. The damage shows up as rust spots, so keep them away from the drum entirely.
Don't reach for rubbing alcohol
Alcohol, ammonia and mineral spirits can damage the protective layer on stainless, even though alcohol is a common suggestion for ink. Warm soapy water does the wipe here without that risk.
Don't use vinegar or citrus cleaners
Vinegar- and citrus-based cleaners aren't meant for appliances, and the warranty won't pay for damage they cause. Check the warranty before you use anything stronger than soap and water.
Don't use oven cleaner or appliance wax
Oven cleaners and appliance wax aren't safe for the drum. Plain soap and water cover the cleaning here.
Don't use stainless polish on trim or gaskets
Stainless polish isn't for plastic trim or rubber gaskets. If ink has reached the door seal, clean it with only the soapy cloth.
When to call a professional
If the ink won't lift after several careful passes, or the drum shows rust spots or deep scratches, stop and contact the manufacturer. Check the owner's manual first, since it may list the right next step for your model.
Questions
Why isn't rubbing alcohol in the steps?
Alcohol can damage the protective layer on stainless, so warm soapy water is the gentler option. Check the owner's manual if you're unsure about your drum's finish.
How do I know when the drum is clean?
The cloth should come away without color, and the drum should look even when you check it with the flashlight. Then run the damp towel cycle to pick up anything left.
What should I do with clothes that have ink on them?
Check the care label and fabric before any cleaner touches them. If you can't tell what the fabric is, don't guess; take it to a dry cleaner and don't run it through the dryer again.
Will dried ink come out completely?
It may lift only in part, so repeat the soapy water wipe and the damp towel cycle before deciding. A faint mark can remain even after careful cleaning.
Can I run the dryer again after cleaning?
Yes, once the drum is completely dry and the damp towel cycle has run. Check the drum once more so ink doesn't end up in the next load.
Should the door stay open while the drum dries?
Yes, leave it open while the drum dries after the wipe. Close it once the drum is dry and before the damp towel cycle.
Ink on other materials
How we know this
Every method, amount and warning here comes from university extension services, industry bodies and product makers. We read them, check every step for unsafe combinations and changed amounts, and write it up so you can follow it.