If someone leaves a crayon in their pocket while drying their clothes, the resulting mess is both frustrating and colorful…usually. Here’s an easy way to remove the crayon marks from your dryer. This is from my experience, not something I’ve stolen from the Internet.

What you need:

1. Goof Off

2. Baking soda

While Goof Off  will remove some of the crayon marks, it doesn’t get rid of them all. Additionally, it stinks to high heaven and is probably noxious (bad) for you. Here’s what you do:

Put a good amount of baking soda in the drum. Wet a decent sized portion of a clump of paper towelling and start rubbing the baking soda. Move your towelling around the part of the drum you can reach WITHOUT turning the drum. Once the baking soda/Goof Off stops working, add some more Goof Off and continue rubbing. Make sure you clean the wing things, too. Once you’ve cleaned that third of the drum, vacuum up the remaining baking soda.

Turn the drum one way or the other and repeat the process. Start with a new clump of towelling and more Goof Off and baking soda. You’ll find that you don’t need all that much Goof Off. There seems to be a kind of reaction between the two products and the mixture really does a great job of getting rid of the crayon marks. The baking soda won’t do it on its own and the Goof Off won’t either. Together, they work magic.

Once you’re finished the whole drum, grab some more towels and use a liquid detergent/water solution to clean the drum. Do this a couple of times and then rinse the drum with just water-wet towels. I would suggest running a couple of loads of old dark clothing or second-rate towels through a few cycles to make sure the drum is shiny and clean again.

Throw out the vacuum bag, too, or the next time you vacuum the not-so-delightful smell of Goof Off will waft its way through your home.

Good luck! Remember where you heard this tip and come back now and then for other tips such as this. This isn’t hi-tech but it will safe you time and trouble.