How to Remove Crayon Wax from Your Dryer

Crayon wax makes a mess in dryers.

Stray crayon wax in clothes dryers is a common accident in households with small children. Kids often leave crayons in their clothing pockets, and parents occasionally forget to remove the crayons before doing laundry. Since crayons are essentially dyed paraffin wax, they inevitably melt in the dryer and transfer onto the dryer's metal drum. Melted crayon also winds up on clothing, which is frustrating. Fortunately, crayon wax is fully removable from dryers with the use of everyday household supplies. Promptly remove crayon wax from dryers before it hardens.

Things You'll Need

• Clean cloths
• Water-displacing lubricant spray
• Spoon
• Dishwashing detergent
• Pail
• Old, dry rags

Instructions

1. Spray a clean cloth with water-displacing lubricant. Wipe the lubricated cloth over the dryer drum to remove melted crayon residue.

2. Wipe the water-displacing lubricant over the dryer drum until the melted crayon is completely gone. Use fresh cloths and replace them as they collect wax.

3. Prepare soapy water for washing off the water-displacing lubricant. Mix one drop of dishwashing detergent and 1 qt. of warm water together in a pail.

4. Dip a fresh cloth in the solution. Wipe down the entire dryer drum with the soapy cloth.

5. Dry a load of old, dry rags using a regular drying cycle. Running a load of rags through the dryer determines if any crayon wax remains on the dryer's drum.

Tips & Warnings

• Never spray water-displacing lubricant or anything directly onto the dryer's drum.

• Spot-test a dab of water-displacing lubricant on the dryer's drum to avoid any damage.

References

• Whyzz Kids; What Are Crayons Made Of?; Mya Kagan
• "Good Houskeeping": Stain Buster -- Crayon
• Crayola: How Do I Remove Melted Crayons From My Clothes Dryer?