How to Remove Dried Melted Nylon off a Dryer Drum

Nylon cannot withstand high temperatures and should be dried on the “fluff” or “no heat” cycles for the best results. If you have heated your nylon piece beyond it’s limits, you will likely find a reminder of your mistake all throughout the dryer. Getting all of the melted nylon out is a multi-step process of trial and error, but when you put all of these ideas together you should see a great deal of improvement.  Here’s what you can do.

• Plastic windshield scraper
• Oven cleaner
• Clean rags
• Screwdriver
• Paper towels
• Mild detergent
• Water

1. First, use the screwdriver to apply pressure to any holes that may be blocked. Pop any melted material out to reopen the holes.
2. Next, work the plastic windshield scraper over the surface to pop off as much of the mess as you can break loose. The success rate of this will vary largely on the surface of the dryer drum. Some dryers have a coating that allows for easier removal.
3. Use damp paper towels to help catch all of the fragments as you wipe them out of the drum.
4. If you still have residue stuck inside, run the dryer on high heat. Stop it before it reaches the “cool down” portion of the cycle so you can work with it at its hottest. This will re-melt the nylon and make it more pliable.
5. Employ the scraper once again, as you may find you can remove more of the residue now that it’s hot.
6. Next, spray oven cleaner on the rag and wipe the inside of the drum with it. Coat the melted nylon all the way around the inside, then start scrubbing as you work your way around a second time. Use a fume free oven cleaner and follow all label precautions.
7. Finally, add a small amount of detergent to a clean rag. Dip it in water and wipe the inside of the drum to remove any remaining oven cleaner residue. Do not run the dryer until you complete this step.
8. Rinse with clean water.
9. Dry with a soft cloth.

• Once you’ve followed all of these steps, any remaining melted nylon should be nothing more than an eyesore. If the nylon did not come off with the scraper when it was hot, it’s extremely unlikely to wear off and ruin your laundry.
• Never use razor blades or other items or materials that could scratch the inside of your drum when scraping. This includes abrasive scrubbers/scrubbing pads. If needed, use a plastic scrubbing pad.