HELOISE Methods given to remove ink from dryer drum

Dear Heloise: How do I get a lot of ink out of my dryer? My husband (grrrr) ran an ink pen in the dryer, which leaked all over his clothes and the dryer. I am afraid to dry anything until it is gone. What do I do? Kelly Gallagher, via e-mail
Well, first of all, you will need to check the owner's manual or manufacturer's Web site to see if there are suggestions for cleaning this type of stain from your dryer drum. With that said, here are a couple of other methods that might help.
First, unplug the dryer, then try using a cloth and a soap-and-water solution. Scrub at the stains, then rinse with another clean cloth and plain water.
Or, spray a laundry prewash solution on a cloth and use this to scrub the ink stains. Let sit for a few minutes, follow with a cloth dampened with warm, soapy water and rinse.
Sometimes these stains don't want to budge, and you might have to resort to using a nonabrasive, all-purpose cleaner. Be sure to test the one you choose on a small area first to make sure it does not affect the finish. And remember, rinse the inside of the drum after each cleaning method to remove any traces of the cleaner. Note: Run a couple of old, damp towels through a few drying cycles to see if there is any remaining ink that might transfer before using the dryer to dry laundry. Heloise
Dear Heloise: When you have photos developed, some photo labs provide an index card with a tiny picture of each of the photos that were developed. These tiny photos are the perfect size for lockets and jewelry charms. G. Curtis, Peterborough, Ontario
This is a wonderful hint! They are also cute to tape to letters and notes to friends and family. Heloise
Dear Heloise: I have so much trouble getting my luggage checked when traveling that I have started to ship my belongings ahead of time. I have found that most hotels will store it for 24 to 36 hours, and I can travel light, carrying just important documents, traveler's checks and fine jewelry in a carry-on piece. Martha Roberts, Gaithersburg, Md.
Dear Heloise: My hint is: In case of an accident or emergency, I have a list of my neighbors and their phone numbers, along with police, fire and all other emergency numbers. This list is kept inside a kitchen cabinet next to the telephone. We don't think well under stress, and this helps. Sara I., Florence, Ala.
Dear Heloise: I like using reusable cloth wipes because they rinse easily and can also be machine-washed several times. However, since I like the feel of something a bit more substantial in my hands when cleaning, I opened a new package and stitched two of the cloth wipes together. These feel just right! Joy Jenkins, Kenney, Texas
XSend a money-saving or timesaving hint to Heloise, P.O. Box 795000, San Antonio, Texas 78279-5000, or you can fax it to (210) HELOISE or e-mail it to Heloise@Heloise.com. I can't answer your letter personally but will use the best hints received in my column.
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