A “First” I Could Have Lived Without

The first dent in a new car.

The first spill on a new carpet.

The first chip in your china dishes.

Or the first smudge on a newly painted wall?

I’ve experienced these. My guess is that you have too?

Last month my husband and I purchased a new washer and dryer.  I was so excited. Not because I love doing laundry, but because I really didn’t like our washer and dryer, and had been trying to find a reason to replace them for years. Finally, the washer started having a problem, and I jumped on the chance to replace both units.

The washer and dryer we decided upon were full-sized stackables. I didn’t know that there was such a thing! What a space saver! They were so popular that we had a 3-month wait for delivery. When the units were delivered, we had to reject the delivery because the washer was not the one that we ordered. We had to wait another 10 days for a second delivery.  

When the correct units were finally delivered, I was happy. I wanted to take good care of these machines, so I sat down and read the 200-page manual cover to cover. I made a list of what settings to use for which type of laundry load. I bought the recommended detergent. I was ready to go.

I used to do all of the laundry in our house, but when my husband retired, he took over the job. Except for my things. I wanted to do my own laundry as I was a little pickier about what got washed with that, what was hung to dry, what was semi-dried, etc. 

So last weekend my husband was doing his laundry. And he forgot to take a blue ballpoint pen out of his pocket. This is not something you want to do… ever…. but especially with a Brand New Dryer.  Ink was everywhere. 

We googled “how to remove ink from a dryer” and the most popular, and supposedly most effective option was to apply Nail Polish Remover with Acetone onto a Magic Eraser and simply wipe away the stains. “Simply” being the optimum word!!

Actually, all that did was smear the ink even more.

I kept working on a little spot at a time and so far, within 1.5 hours have cleaned an area about 2 inches in diameter. 

So I get to add “first stains in a brand new dryer” to the list of “firsts.” I could definitely have lived without that though.

Thanks to my husband, Rick, for being a good sport about this post and allowing me to share our “adventure” with you.

Has  this happened to you? How did you remove the stains? I’m definitely looking for an easier, more effective method!

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Comments (11)

  1. The aresol hairspray gets it out of clothes. I don’t know about your dryer. I wish you lots of luck. Hugs, DeLoris

    June 14, 2018 at 9:27 am
  2. Marilyn Hunt

    I will share a first about a high efficiency washer. I was washing as usual except for the horrendous grinding noise I heard about 10 minutes into the cycle. I immediately stopped the machine and luckily since it’s a top HE loader, I could bail out the water. The repair person showed up the next morning and called me a few minutes after arriving and presented me with a chewed up piece of metal. I usually check pockets but I missed a dime. This little coin wedged itself between the tub and the bottom that spins. Coins happily survived in all the older washers I’ve ever owned. The cost was $85: service call $75 and $10 to remove the dime! Needless to say I’m now manic about checking pockets!

    June 14, 2018 at 12:17 pm
  3. Lisa Benham

    Have you ever used essential oils? Purifucation essential oil will remove ink from clothes but I have never tried it in a dryer. I would be glad to send you a little sample bottle if you want. Just give me your address and I can mail it to you.

    June 15, 2018 at 3:33 am
    • Karen

      I haven’t, Lisa. I will contact you. Thanks!

      June 15, 2018 at 8:30 am
  4. Hi, Karen!
    Hairspray has always worked for me. I learned about it when I was in the US Army in the 1970s. If it doesn’t work, though, ink is petroleum based. A citrus based degreaser, Goof Off or Oops are other good alternatives.

    June 16, 2018 at 9:35 am
    • Karen

      Thanks, Susan. I tried hairspray and it didn’t do anything. I had tried Citrasol, with also no success. I didn’t have any Goof Off or Oops (and we’re 30 miles from town, so it’s not easy to just run and get a bottle or I would have!). I tried the cleaner I use on my ceramic stove top, and that actually worked the best. Still some scrubbing involved, but it did work! Thanks so much for taking the time to give your suggestions. I was trying anything and everything!!

      June 17, 2018 at 11:14 am
  5. Joan

    Was that Nail Polish or NAIL POLISH REMOVER? Try the remover. It works every time!

    June 17, 2018 at 10:37 am
  6. JDHinAL

    My husband helps with our laundry too. He also leaves pens (and chewing gum) in his pockets. We experienced the same *lovely* blue overtones in our then new dryer (and several times since). I empathize with your pain. It is hard to find on the shelves nowadays, but my best experience with removing ink stains (and chewing gum) from the dryer drum surface is aerosol Shout or Resolve. It *must* be aerosol to work its magic. Another possibility is simple rubbing alcohol. With both, thoroughly wipe the drum surface with water afterwards and allow the drum to thoroughly dry before using it. (Alcohol is flammable.) Additionally, I assure you that over time, any minute essence of blue will fade away with continued use of the dryer. Additionally, be very careful when using Magic Eraser sponges on the surface of anything. It is way more abrasive than you might think. I used one on a water spotted flower vase and it left *very* noticeable scratch marks everywhere I *erased* a simple water mark droplet. Best of luck!

    August 2, 2018 at 10:59 am
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