Trivial problem with my dryer's appearance

[RoseGarden]

Dumb thing to have bother me I know. But I am getting my home to where I really like the look, sort of a farmhouse look. Anyway, I have a dryer that is probably 20 years old which I very seldom use, and don't plan to replace unless/until it croaks. Therefore I use the top of it as a place to set things like plant seedlings, boxes of tools, groceries when I come in and just set the bags down, cases of soda, sick cats, whatever. The paint has worn off the edges of the top, and there are some deep scratches that go all the way down to the metal and some stains that I can't remove. I tried the touch up paint, which turned yellow immediately, and I tried spray on appliance paint which also wore off because I use the top so much, scraping things around on it. It looks awful.

What can I make to cover the top to make it cosmetically appear better? I don't want to use plywood or anything heavy, because I thought I might make something I could easily lift off on the very rare occasions that I actually use the dryer, as I don't want anything sitting on top to potentially catch fire. Cloth or fabric is not a good option either, because of tears, stains, dirt, etc. I'm thinking something lightweight but sturdy, easily cleaned and scuff proof, and that looks really pretty. I'm tired of things looking crappy around here.

Any ideas for a silly problem?

[Bearfootfarm]

How about a small rug or piece of carpet. Its light, wont scratch, and you can shake out the dirt

The top of a dryer doesnt get hot enough to burn anything so I doubt fire would be a hazard no matter what you use

[agmantoo]

plastic laminate which is often referred to as Formica

[KrisW]

I’d make a cover for it.
Rug (sturdy type) top with a cotton material down the sides.
I don't know what colors you like ... so this is just a guess.
Something in a tan print color material with a blue rug on top.
Bet that would look nice, and durable .
Secured on with Velcro, and it would be washable. Problem solved.

Kris

[CraftyDiva]

Salvage yard to find another top to replace it with, or remove top and have an auto body shop repaint it for you.


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[RoseGarden]

Formica might just work, thanks for the idea!

[bugstabber]

A plastic boot tray?

[RoseGarden]

So many good ideas, thanks everyone. I have a plastic tray thing that went underneath a small chest freezer my parents had, and I wonder if it would fit the top of the dryer. The freezer was about the size of a dryer. It's out in the shed, I'll have to go dig it out tomorrow. Thanks!

[Tricky Grama]

Or another idea: the dreaded contact paper!

Patty