Difference between revisions of "Clean a Dryer Drum"
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Your dryer may be used primarily for drying clean clothing, but an unseen pen, crayon or some dirty clothes dried between washings can leave your dryer drum coated in various materials that can come off on clean clothes. Keep your dryer in good shape by cleaning the drum regularly to remove any of these stains. | Your dryer may be used primarily for drying clean clothing, but an unseen pen, crayon or some dirty clothes dried between washings can leave your dryer drum coated in various materials that can come off on clean clothes. Keep your dryer in good shape by cleaning the drum regularly to remove any of these stains. | ||
| − | [[Category:Washing Machines and Dryers]] | + | [[Category: Washing Machines and Dryers]] |
== Steps == | == Steps == | ||
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#*A dryer blocked up with lint can dry inefficiently and even cause fires. | #*A dryer blocked up with lint can dry inefficiently and even cause fires. | ||
#*The lint trap should, of course, be cleaned out after every use. This is very important because if you don't, new lint won't have anywhere to go, creating a mess and increasing the amount of time needed to dry a load of clothes. | #*The lint trap should, of course, be cleaned out after every use. This is very important because if you don't, new lint won't have anywhere to go, creating a mess and increasing the amount of time needed to dry a load of clothes. | ||
| − | #Clean the lint trap with a vacuum. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean out behind the lint trap every few weeks to every few months, depending on how much lint your items create and how well your trap catches the lint.<ref>http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-ash/spring-clean-washer-dryer_b_3038356.html</ref> | + | #Clean the lint trap with a vacuum. Use a vacuum cleaner to clean out behind the lint trap every few weeks to every few months, depending on how much lint your items create and how well your trap catches the lint.<ref name="rf1">http://www.huffingtonpost.com/steve-ash/spring-clean-washer-dryer_b_3038356.html</ref> |
#*Pull out the lint trap and vacuum the tube that is on the other side. | #*Pull out the lint trap and vacuum the tube that is on the other side. | ||
#*You might also want to vacuum out the exhaust tubes, although these are often difficult to reach or inaccessible. | #*You might also want to vacuum out the exhaust tubes, although these are often difficult to reach or inaccessible. | ||
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#*If you don't clean these often, you might need to scrub with something a little more substantial, like a Magic Eraser. | #*If you don't clean these often, you might need to scrub with something a little more substantial, like a Magic Eraser. | ||
#Open the panel surrounding the drum. Much like you can lift the top of your stove to clean below the heating elements, you can open up your dryer if you're brave and clean the lint that builds up around the drum. Different dryers open in different ways, so check the user manual for your model or look it up online. | #Open the panel surrounding the drum. Much like you can lift the top of your stove to clean below the heating elements, you can open up your dryer if you're brave and clean the lint that builds up around the drum. Different dryers open in different ways, so check the user manual for your model or look it up online. | ||
| − | #*Generally, either the top or front panel will come off (or both). Look for screws around the lint filter, since this is usually the spot to start. With the screws undone, the panel can be removed, though there is sometimes a catch you will have to get around by pulling forward (for a top panel) or using a screwdriver at the gap (for a front panel).<ref>http://www.familyhandyman.com/appliance-repair/washer-and-dryer-repair/dryer-lint-cleaning-tips#step1com/search?q=A+-+vacuum+out+dryer+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.familyhandyman.com%2FDIY-Projects%2FHome-Repair%2FAppliance-Repair%2Fdryer-lint-cleaning-tips%23step1&sugexp=chrome,mod=3&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8</ref> | + | #*Generally, either the top or front panel will come off (or both). Look for screws around the lint filter, since this is usually the spot to start. With the screws undone, the panel can be removed, though there is sometimes a catch you will have to get around by pulling forward (for a top panel) or using a screwdriver at the gap (for a front panel).<ref name="rf2">http://www.familyhandyman.com/appliance-repair/washer-and-dryer-repair/dryer-lint-cleaning-tips#step1com/search?q=A+-+vacuum+out+dryer+http%3A%2F%2Fwww.familyhandyman.com%2FDIY-Projects%2FHome-Repair%2FAppliance-Repair%2Fdryer-lint-cleaning-tips%23step1&sugexp=chrome,mod=3&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8</ref> |
#*With the panel removed and the drum exposed, remove lint and lost items by hand or with a vacuum. | #*With the panel removed and the drum exposed, remove lint and lost items by hand or with a vacuum. | ||
#Put it back together. Once you're done, snap the panels back into place and then replace the screws. | #Put it back together. Once you're done, snap the panels back into place and then replace the screws. | ||
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#Unplug the dryer. Before you start, you should unplug the dryer to prevent accidents. The plug is usually located behind the machine. Test it to be sure that you have unplugged it correctly. | #Unplug the dryer. Before you start, you should unplug the dryer to prevent accidents. The plug is usually located behind the machine. Test it to be sure that you have unplugged it correctly. | ||
#Scrape off any large remaining crayon. Using a spatula or an old credit card, scrape any large pieces of crayon that may be left off of the dryer drum. | #Scrape off any large remaining crayon. Using a spatula or an old credit card, scrape any large pieces of crayon that may be left off of the dryer drum. | ||
| − | #Spray a rag with WD-40. Get an old rag and spray it with WD-40.<ref>http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/products/clothes-dryer-care/</ref> | + | #Spray a rag with WD-40. Get an old rag and spray it with WD-40.<ref name="rf3">http://www.bhg.com/homekeeping/laundry-linens/products/clothes-dryer-care/</ref> |
#*You should be very sure not to spray the drum itself with the WD-40, just the rag. | #*You should be very sure not to spray the drum itself with the WD-40, just the rag. | ||
#Wipe down the affected area. Use the rag to wipe at the spots covered in crayon. Try not to cover any more area with the WD-40 than you have to. This should allow you to remove all of the crayon without too much difficulty. | #Wipe down the affected area. Use the rag to wipe at the spots covered in crayon. Try not to cover any more area with the WD-40 than you have to. This should allow you to remove all of the crayon without too much difficulty. | ||
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#Soak towels in bleach water. Now to remove the rest of the dye. Soak some old towels or a large number of rags in more of the bleach water that you mixed previously. Just get them thoroughly soaked, they should not need to be in the water for more than 5 minutes. | #Soak towels in bleach water. Now to remove the rest of the dye. Soak some old towels or a large number of rags in more of the bleach water that you mixed previously. Just get them thoroughly soaked, they should not need to be in the water for more than 5 minutes. | ||
#Wring out the towels. Wring the towels out, to remove excess water. | #Wring out the towels. Wring the towels out, to remove excess water. | ||
| − | #Run the towels through the dryer. Run the towels through the fluff cycle on the dryer for about 30 minutes.<ref | + | #Run the towels through the dryer. Run the towels through the fluff cycle on the dryer for about 30 minutes.<ref name="rf3" /> |
#Repeat as needed. This should have removed most if not all of the dye. However, if more remains, you can repeat the towel process a few times to see if any more can be removed. | #Repeat as needed. This should have removed most if not all of the dye. However, if more remains, you can repeat the towel process a few times to see if any more can be removed. | ||
#Rinse the drum. Once you've removed as much of the product as you can, mix a bucket with soapy water. Use this water and a clean cloth to wipe down the inside of the drum. | #Rinse the drum. Once you've removed as much of the product as you can, mix a bucket with soapy water. Use this water and a clean cloth to wipe down the inside of the drum. | ||
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===Removing Gum=== | ===Removing Gum=== | ||
#Unplug the dryer. Before you start, you should unplug the dryer to prevent accidents. The plug is usually located behind the machine. Test it to be sure that you have unplugged it correctly. | #Unplug the dryer. Before you start, you should unplug the dryer to prevent accidents. The plug is usually located behind the machine. Test it to be sure that you have unplugged it correctly. | ||
| − | #Harden the gum with ice. Use an ice pack to harden the gum.<ref>http://www.geappliances.com/search/fast/infobase/10000718.htm</ref>Hold the ice pack directly on the gum. You may need to move the pack slightly to hit different parts of the gum. | + | #Harden the gum with ice. Use an ice pack to harden the gum.<ref name="rf4">http://www.geappliances.com/search/fast/infobase/10000718.htm</ref>Hold the ice pack directly on the gum. You may need to move the pack slightly to hit different parts of the gum. |
#Scrape off the bulk of the gum with a scraper. Using a credit card or plastic windshield wiper, scrape off as much of the gum as you can. | #Scrape off the bulk of the gum with a scraper. Using a credit card or plastic windshield wiper, scrape off as much of the gum as you can. | ||
#Remove remaining chunks with a razor carefully. If there are any more pieces which are stubborn, you can remove these with a straight razor, like you would use to remove paint from glass. | #Remove remaining chunks with a razor carefully. If there are any more pieces which are stubborn, you can remove these with a straight razor, like you would use to remove paint from glass. | ||
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===Removing Plastic or Nylon=== | ===Removing Plastic or Nylon=== | ||
#Unplug the dryer. Before you start, you should unplug the dryer to prevent accidents. The plug is usually located behind the machine. Test it to be sure that you have unplugged it correctly. | #Unplug the dryer. Before you start, you should unplug the dryer to prevent accidents. The plug is usually located behind the machine. Test it to be sure that you have unplugged it correctly. | ||
| − | #Start by using a plastic windshield scraper. Using a plastic windshield wiper, scrape off as much of the plastic or nylon as you can.<ref>http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-dried-melted-nylon-off-a-dryer-drum/</ref> | + | #Start by using a plastic windshield scraper. Using a plastic windshield wiper, scrape off as much of the plastic or nylon as you can.<ref name="rf5">http://www.howtocleanstuff.net/how-to-remove-dried-melted-nylon-off-a-dryer-drum/</ref> |
#Remove remaining chunks with a razor carefully. If there are any more pieces which are stubborn, you can remove these with a straight razor, like you would use to remove paint from glass. | #Remove remaining chunks with a razor carefully. If there are any more pieces which are stubborn, you can remove these with a straight razor, like you would use to remove paint from glass. | ||
#*Be extremely careful when you do this. You should not move the razor toward your body and you should try to keep your fingers out of the way. Make small movements and use minimal force. | #*Be extremely careful when you do this. You should not move the razor toward your body and you should try to keep your fingers out of the way. Make small movements and use minimal force. | ||
