Dryer Dilemmas

I can't imagine laundry without having a dryer, but between crayons and pens and gum and lint you can run into some headaches - I have solutions!

1. The single most important thing you can do to keep your dryer in great working order is to keep the lint trap clean, which means more than simply emptying it after each use. Over a sink run some water into the lint screen. If the screen holds the water, it can't do its job. Turn it upside down and use an old toothbrush and warm running water to clean it out. Then let it completely dry before you run the dryer again.

2. For crayon and ink, use a little white toothpaste on a damp cloth. Rub the cloth in a circular motion to gently buff away the marks left on the drum. Then use a clean damp cloth to clean away any toothpaste residue.

3. Gum in your dryer? Hold a freezer pack wrapped in a washcloth over the gum to harden it. Then use a plastic spatula or plastic putty knife to gently pry the gum off of the drum. Remove any residual residue with some white vinegar on a clean cloth. Then, use a clean damp cloth and water to clean away any residue. Remember always apply a cleaner to a cloth and then to the dryer, don't spray or pour cleaners directly in the dryer!