How to Get Rid of Bad Odor in Your Dryer
Contrary to fabric softener advertisements, your freshly washed and dried laundry doesn’t have to smell like a fresh alpine breeze or a lavender field in Provence. But it also shouldn’t come out of the dryer with a noticeably unpleasant odor—and sometimes the machine itself is to blame.
Before you can stop the smell from spreading to the rest of your closet, you need to identify the source of the stench. Here are some of the most common causes of smelly dryers and how to get rid of them.
Why does my dryer smell bad?
When clothes dryers emit a foul odor, it could be a sign of a larger problem or that you simply aren’t doing a good job maintaining the appliance. Here’s how to figure out what causes various bad odors, and what you can do to stop them:
Smell: Mold
Problem : Laundry that smells musty immediately after drying indicates that you are likely dealing with mold or mildew. The culprit could be wet laundry left in the dryer, or it could be a lint trap.
Solution : First, remove lint, dust, and hair from the lint trap—first by hand (or with a cloth) and then using a vacuum attachment. If the musty smell still persists, remove the screen and wash it with warm water and a mild detergent. If the odor still persists, spray the screen with a mixture of one part water and one part white vinegar, then rinse with warm water. Let it dry completely before putting the lint trap back in the dryer. While the screen is air drying, unplug the dryer and use the vacuum attachment to remove as much lint as possible from the lint trap hole.
A musty smell may also come from your dryer drum. To clean it, first unplug your dryer, then wipe it with a lint-free microfiber cloth and a solution of water and vinegar. Finally, “rinse” it by wiping it again with a clean, damp cloth.
If none of this works, the experts at Home-Tech , an emergency appliance repair service in Florida, recommend soaking a few clean towels in white vinegar and then running the dryer.
Smell: Something dead and rotting.
Problem : According to Wayne Herr , founder and owner of VentSmart Dryer Vent Cleaning, the culprit is likely lint that has made its way past the lint trap and into the dryer vent, where it gradually accumulates to the point of causing a clog. The obstruction causes the steam from the dryer to turn back into water, and apparently the combination of heat, water, and lint can smell like a dead animal. Although rare, it is also possible for an animal to crawl into your dryer vent or even enter your actual dryer and die.
Solution : Whether it’s clogged lint or an actual animal, you’ll need to clean your dryer vent to get rid of the smell. A previous Lifehacker post will walk you through this process.
Smell: Burning rubber.
Problem : Burning rubber smell can be the result of placing items in the dryer, such as certain synthetic fabrics, that should not be placed in the dryer, especially on higher temperature settings. It could also be a shorted wire.
Solution : Follow instructions for caring for clothing and bedding. If there is no odor when drying items that can be used in the dryer, the problem is solved. Otherwise, the wire may short circuit. If this happens, carefully unplug the dryer, and then check the dryer’s power cord for defects, such as frayed or exposed wires. If you find them, you’ll need a new power cord, according to Home-Tech repair experts. Whether it’s the power cord or something else, the smell of burning rubber can’t be ignored, so at this point you’ll have to decide whether it makes sense to repair or replace your dryer .
Smell: Something burning
Problem : If the smell is more like a general burning or fire odor, it could be anything from lint buildup to a broken thermostat, drive belt, or engine.
Solution : Start by cleaning your dryer vent, especially if it’s been a while since you last did it. If this does not help, Mr. repair specialists. Appliance recommends checking your dryer manual to see where the thermostat is located, then unplugging the dryer and removing the thermostat. Check the thermostat with an ohmmeter: if the reading is not zero, you will need a new thermostat.
If not, check your manual to find out how to access the dryer body and whether the appliance uses a rubber drive belt to rotate the drum. Make sure the belt is wrapped securely around the drum and check for signs of damage or wear. Remove the belt if it’s damaged, take it to a hardware or hardware store to make sure you get the correct replacement belt, and then install it.
A damaged engine will not only smell burnt, but will also be quite noisy. If this is the problem, you will have to decide whether to repair or replace your dryer .
Smell: gas or kerosene.
Problem : A gas or kerosene smell coming from the dryer drum or clothes drying inside is usually a sign of a ventilation problem or—if you open the door and smell gas early in the cycle—a faulty igniter, according to Appliance Repair Specialist. . If you smell gas or kerosene in the area of your dryer when it is not running and the door is not open, there may be a problem with the gas valve or a leak in the exhaust system.
Solution : Never ignore the smell of gas or kerosene anywhere in the house. Call a professional immediately if you smell gas or kerosene when your dryer is not running. If the smell only appears when the dryer is running, start with the simplest solutions: clean the lint trap, screen and slot, and then the dryer vent . If the odor persists, it is time to involve the proper professionals to identify and correct the problem.