Maytag dryer drum cleaning is a short job: unplug the dryer, let the drum cool, wipe the inside of the drum with a soft cloth wrung out in warm water and a little mild dish soap, wipe again with a cloth wet with clean water, then dry the drum with a towel and leave the door open for a while. Do it when a stain, a waxy film or a mark on the drum wall starts rubbing onto clean clothes. Never use flammable solvents or harsh abrasives inside a dryer, and check your owner’s manual for the cleaners it allows.
Why does a dryer drum need cleaning?
The inside of the drum is not self-cleaning. Fabric softener and dryer sheets leave a waxy layer that builds up on the metal. Detergent residue, spilled pocket contents, pen ink, crayon, lipstick and dye from new clothes can mark the drum, and a mark that has not been wiped off can transfer to the next load. Our moisture sensor cleaning guide says softener sheets and detergent are the usual source of a film on the sensor strips, and the same film coats the rest of the drum.
A dirty drum rarely causes a failure, but it can stain laundry and leave a smell. If your blankets are taking much longer than they should to dry, the drum is not the usual reason; look at the vent first, as described below.
How do you clean the inside of a Maytag dryer drum step by step?
- Unplug the dryer, or switch off its breaker at the panel while standing on a dry floor, and wait until the drum is cool to the touch.
- Pull out and clean the lint screen, because lint on the screen and around the opening ends up on the drum wall.
- Wipe the drum wall, the lip around the opening and the inside of the door with a soft cloth wrung out in warm soapy water. Turn the drum by hand so you reach all of it.
- Wipe again with a cloth wet with clean water to pick up the soap.
- Dry with a clean towel and leave the door open to let any damp air out.
Work gently around the edges of the drum and around the lint screen opening, and do not push cloth or tools down into the opening. If you are unsure what a part is, leave it alone.
How do you deal with dye, ink and stuck-on marks?
Start mild and be patient. Wipe the mark with soapy water and give it a little time. A non-metallic scrubbing pad used lightly can lift stubborn residue, but steel wool and abrasives scratch the surface, and scratches hold residue and make the next stain harder to remove. Do not use gasoline, lighter fluid, paint thinner or any other flammable solvent inside a dryer. The dryer heats up, vapors can ignite and the smell lingers. If your owner’s manual names a drum cleaner or a cleaning method for stains, follow it.
After cleaning a mark from ink, dye or crayon, run an old damp towel through a cycle before you dry good clothes. If the towel picks up color or a smell, the drum was not clean yet. Do not use bleach on the drum unless your manual says it is acceptable.
What if the dryer takes forever to dry blankets?
A long drying time is almost never a dirty drum. A dryer that takes too long usually has a clogged lint screen, a blocked vent or too big a load. Read our Maytag dryer takes too long guide, and clean the exhaust path with our Maytag dryer vent cleaning guide. Big, thick items such as blankets need room to tumble, so dry them in a smaller load with the door shut and let them move freely. The same principle applies to every heavy item: less in the drum means better air flow.
A sensor strip film is the other common cause of loads that stop too soon or run on. That is a different wipe, on two small metal strips, covered in the sensor guide above.
How often should you clean the drum?
When you see a film, a mark or a smell, and as a routine when you do the sensor strips, a little more often if you use softener sheets; your manual may suggest its own routine. Wipe the lint screen area at the same time as you clean the screen itself, which should be done before every load. A quick regular wipe is easier than a big job. A tidy laundry area helps, too, because lint and dust settle there and get drawn into the dryer.
If you have pets, check the drum for hair and run the lint screen clean after each load.
When should you call a technician?
Call if the drum is rough, dented or scratched in a way that snags clothes, if it makes a scraping sound, if there is a burning smell or if the dryer does not heat. Do not take the cabinet apart to clean behind the drum. A dryer holds a heating circuit and, on a gas model, a gas supply. If you smell gas, do not turn anything on or off; go outside and call your gas utility or 911 from outside. If you smell burning, stop the dryer and switch off its breaker at the panel while standing on a dry floor. Our Maytag dryer repair page explains how a visit works.
