Why Does My Dryer Smell?

The most common reasons why a dryer can smell are mold and mildew growth, and lint. When clothing sits in the dryer for long periods of time, mold and mildew can start to grow, which eventually smells foul. This can happen when you put wet clothes into the dryer but don’t dry them right away or when the dryer isn’t functioning properly and doesn’t dry the clothes thoroughly. Lint is a mixture of soap, fabric, dirt, and oils. When lint builds up, it can start to smell, or it can obstruct airflow, which can cause mold and mildew growth in the vents.

To fix the problem, identify the source of the bad odor in your clothes dryer and clean it. Clean the inside of your dryer with a vinegar and water solution, including the drum, door, and door seal. Clean the lint tray, tray housing, lint filter, and vent.

To clean your smelly dryer and prevent foul odors from coming back, do the following:

Thorough Cleaning: Start by cleaning the dryer drum and all accessible parts. Wipe them down with a mixture of water and vinegar, or use an appliance cleaner.
Ventilation is Key: Check the dryer’s vent and make sure it’s clean and free from any blockages. A well-ventilated dryer helps reduce moisture build-up, thwarting mold growth.
Ditch Dampness: Avoid leaving damp clothes inside the dryer after the cycle ends. Promptly take them out to prevent mold and mildew from taking hold.
Dryer Maintenance: Regularly inspect and clean the lint trap. A clogged lint trap leads to reduced airflow, encouraging musty smells.

Once your dryer is thoroughly cleaned, the bad smell should go away. However, you have to keep the dryer clean and lint-free in order to prevent future odors.

Why Your Dryer Smells Bad

A smelly dryer is caused by moisture inside the drum, which fosters mold and mildew growth. Excess moisture is usually caused by insufficient maintenance or improper usage of the dryer.

Here’s a breakdown of the most common causes of a smelly dryer and how you can fix it:

Mold & Mildew: Damp clothing left inside the dryer is the most common cause of a smelly dryer. Leaving damp clothes in the dryer creates a breeding ground for mold and mildew. Once mold and mildew start to grow inside the drum, they’re hard to get rid of and eventually lead to foul odors even after the clothes are dry.
Pests: If small animals find their way into your dryer vents, the smell can come out the other end and into the home. It’s important to clean your vents and prevent animals from entering by covering the exterior vent with a guard.
Lint: Lint buildup in the dryer vent hampers proper airflow, allowing lingering odors to persist while also creating a fire hazard. If you notice your dryer is taking longer to dry clothes or doesn’t get as hot as it should, the cause is usually restricted airflow due to a clogged vent. Lint from smelly clothing can trap that foul odor, making your dryer smell bad when running.

How To Clean A Smelly Dryer

When your dryer smells bad, it’s time for a thorough cleaning. Dryers smell bad because mold and mildew are growing inside, which causes a foul smell. And the only way to get rid of mold and mildew is proper cleaning.

However, a thorough cleaning can get rid of your dryer’s foul smell, but it can’t prevent it from coming back. To prevent the bad smell from coming back, make sure the dryer stays dry inside the drum, clean the vent, and don’t leave damp clothes inside for too long.

Here are the cleaning materials you’ll need:

A clean, soft rag
Towels
Bleach
Water
White vinegar

1. Clean The Lint Trap

If the lint trap has built up lint inside, it can start to grow mold and mildew, which will eventually smell. Especially if the lint comes from clothes that were already smelly.

Remove the lint trap and clean out the built-up lint with a clean rag. Use a small vacuum to remove smaller particles. Next, run the trap under warm running water while scrubbing it with a soft brush to remove residue. Use some dish soap if the residue is stubborn and won’t come off. Finally, let it air dry before putting the trap back in.

Remove the lint trap and wipe away accumulated lint using a clean rag.
Use a vacuum’s narrow hose attachment to clear smaller particles.
Rinse the trap under running water, scrub it with a soft brush, and let it air dry.

2. Clean The Lint Trap Housing

Once you’ve removed the lint trap, you’ll gain access to the trap housing. Remove lint trapped in the housing with a small vacuum hose attachment. Clean the residue with a soft cloth.

When the lint trap is removed, use the vacuum hose attachment to remove any lint buildup in the trap’s housing.
Use a soft cloth to clean residue in the housing.

3. Clean The Dryer Vent

A common cause of a smelly dryer is lint buildup in the vent. The vent should be cleaned regularly not only because of foul odors but also to prevent fires. To clean the vent, move the dryer away from the wall and disconnect the vent pipe. Vacuum out the vent to remove lint and other debris.

Next, clean the exterior vent opening and flaps. While you’re outside, check the vent cover for damage and make sure it opens and closes properly.

Reconnect the interior vent and push your dryer back in place.

Shift the dryer away from the wall and disconnect its vent.
Vacuum the vent to remove lint and other debris.
Clean the vent opening and flaps outside the house and inspect them to make sure they’re functioning properly.
Reconnect the interior vent and reposition the dryer.

4. Clean The Dryer’s DA rum

The dryer drum is where most foul dryer odors come from, so this is a very important step. When moisture sits inside the drum for too long, it can foster mold and mildew growth, which eventually starts to stink.

Start by creating a solution of 1 cup of bleach diluted with 1 gallon of cool water. If you don’t want to use bleach, use white vinegar instead.

Dip a clean, soft towel in the solution and wipe down the dryer drum. Dip your towel back into the solution as needed, and keep wiping the drum until the entire drum has been wiped with your cleaning solution.

Next, wipe the dryer door and the entire door sea. Make sure to wipe the inside of any rubber seal flaps.

Once you’re done cleaning the drum, door, and seal, leave the door open and let the dryer air out. Use a dry towel to clean any cleaning solution that may have been collected inside the drum.

If the dryer smells like vinegar or bleach, use another towel dipped in clean water and wipe everything down again. This will reduce vinegar or bleach residue and its odor.

Dip a clean towel in a solution of 1 cup bleach diluted with 1 gallon of cool water or white vinegar and water.
Wipe down the dryer drum with the towel, dipping it in the bleach solution or vinegar as needed.
Clean the dryer door and its seal as well. Make sure to sop up any cleaning solution that may have pooled in the drum, then leave the door open for the interior to air dry.
To reduce the odor of bleach or vinegar, dampen a second cloth with water and wipe down the dryer again before air drying.

5. Wipe Down the Exterior

As a final step, wipe down the exterior of your dryer with a soft, damp cloth. Lint, dirt, and other substances can collect on the outside of your dryer, which can eventually start to smell.

Make sure to clean not only the sides and front of the dryer’s exterior but also the back panel.

Don’t forget to clean the outside of the dryer. Lint and dirt can accumulate and start to smell.
Wipe down the entire exterior with a damp cloth and thoroughly dry it.

Tips To Prevent Dryer Odors

The best way to prevent dryer odors is regular cleaning and maintenance. Once your dryer is clean and odor-free, keeping it that way is easy with these simple maintenance tips:

Remove Damp Clothing Promptly: To avoid mold and mildew growth, don’t let damp clothes sit in the dryer for too long. Start the drying cycle as soon as you take clothes out of the washer and place them into the dryer.
Clean the Lint Trap Regularly: Before each drying cycle, remove lint from the trap using your hand or a clean paper towel. Also, make sure you regularly clean the trap and its housing using a vacuum hose attachment.
Clean the Dryer Vents: Clean your dryer vents to remove lint and debris that can cause bad smells about once every 6-12 months. If odors return or the dryer takes too long to dry clothes, consider cleaning the vents more frequently.

If your dryer still has a bad smell or isn’t functioning correctly, get it looked at by a Pro. There may be mold growing inside the dryer, which you won’t be able to treat unless you take the rear dryer panel off and look inside.

There could also be mold and mildew growing on the outside of the drum, which can’t be cleaned unless you remove the drum.

5 Common Dryer Smells & What Causes Them

Most of the time, that foul smell coming from your dryer is caused by mold and mildew growth, which is caused by excess moisture or lint buildup. However, there are other smells a dryer can make which may indicate a problem, such as burnt rubber, burning, gas, or a dead animal.

In the next section, I’ll discuss the 5 most common foul dryer smells, what they mean, and what you can do about it.

My Dryer Smells Like Burnt Rubber

If you’ve noticed an unpleasant burnt rubber smell coming from your dryer, two main causes could be behind it, a possible wire short or burning synthetic fabrics. To find the cause of the smell, inspect the inside of the drum and the inside of the dryer.

To access the inside of your dryer, you’ll have to remove the rear panel. Once the panel is off, you can see some of the dryer’s mechanical parts, such as the motor and bearings.

Inspect as much as you can see for burning wires or synthetic fabrics.

Care Instructions for Clothing

Always follow care instructions on clothing labels when washing and drying your clothes.
Avoid mixing items with different fabric types in the same load, especially if some are made of synthetic materials that can’t handle high temperatures.
Lower the drying temperature or opt for hang drying when required by care instructions to avoid any mishaps.

Possible Wire Short

If the burnt rubber smell persists, it might indicate a possible wire short in your dryer.
Carefully inspect the dryer’s power cord for any frayed or exposed wires that could melt the protective rubber coating around them.
If you find any defects, it’s crucial to replace the power cord with a new one. But remember, for your safety, turn off the dryer completely before attempting any repairs.

My Dryer Smells Like Mildew

If your dryer has an unpleasant mildew smell, it’s caused by mold and mildew growth. This is the most common foul smell coming from dryers and is usually caused by excess moisture or lint buildup.

Prevent Dampness

The moldy, moist smell often occurs when wet clothes sit in the dryer for too long before starting the cycle.
Keep the laundry moving by promptly starting the dryer after loading wet clothes. This small step can save you from a big headache later on.

Combat Built-Up Lint

Check for built-up lint in the lint screen, as it can become a breeding ground for mold.
Remove visible lint and wipe the screen with a dry towel to clear away smaller lint particles.
Don’t forget to use your vacuum hose attachment to thoroughly clean the lint trap.

Use White Vinegar

If the previous fixes don’t work, try this pro tip: dampen a few towels with white vinegar and run the dryer with them inside.
White vinegar is a natural odor reducer and safe to use. Remember to wash the towels right after to prevent any lingering odors.

My Dryer Has A Burning Smell

A burning smell from your dryer can indicate something serious because it could cause a fire. Don’t take chances with safety; follow these steps to address the issue right away:

Safety First: Any unusual burning smell from your dryer requires immediate attention. Don’t ignore it or continue using the dryer.
Professional Help: For this type of problem, I recommend getting help from a professional appliance repair service.
Safety Measures: Until the problem is identified and fixed, don’t use the dryer to prevent a potential fire.

My Dryer Smells Like Gas

If you notice a gas smell from your gas dryer, it can mean a gas leak. This is a potentially serious issue, so take care of it right away. Turn the dryer off and unplug it, then inspect the gas line and all connections until you find the leak, then deal with it accordingly.

Turn off the gas line to the dryer right away until you can fix the issue.

Safety First: If you smell gas or suspect a gas leak, turn the dryer off and unplug it. Don’t use the dryer again until you find and fix the leak.
Call a Professional: When you’re dealing with a potential gas leak, I recommend calling a Pro for help.
Igniter: If you smell gas when you open the dryer early in the cycle or on your clothes, it might indicate a faulty igniter.
Ventilation or Filter: The gas smell could result from a dirty filter or an exhaust system breach, affecting ventilation.
Immediate Action: If you ever sense a kerosene-like smell when the dryer isn’t running, it might mean the gas valve isn’t shutting off correctly. In such cases, turn off the gas to your home and call a pro.
Gas Smell: If you smell gas when the machine is off or on, it could be coming from the gas line, the shutoff valve, or one of the line connections. To check a gas line for leaks, spray some soapy water onto the line. If it bubbles, you’ve found the leak.

My Dryer Smells like a Dead Animal

If you’re dryer smells like a dead animal, the cause is usually a dead animal that got into the vent through the exterior dryer vent cover. To deal with the problem, you must find the source of the smell and clean it out. In these cases, I generally remove and replace the entire vent pipe and exterior cover. Then I inspect and clean the entire dryer, inside and out.

Vent System Check: Start by cleaning the entire vent system, beginning with the hose at the back of the dryer and ending at the outside vent. Clear any potential blockages.
Behind Dryer Panels: If the smell persists, check behind the dryer panels or the dryer vent for any signs of a critter.
Search Inside the Dryer: If you still can’t locate the source, disconnect the dryer from power and remove the front and rear panels. Inspect the interior of the dryer to find the furry culprit.
Thorough Cleaning: Once the animal is removed, perform a thorough cleaning to eliminate any remaining traces and odors.

Why Is My Dryer Giving Off A Weird Smell?

Your dryer is most likely giving off a weird smell because of mold and mildew growth inside the drum or lint buildup. Excess moisture inside and around the drum can cause mold growth in and around the drum, on the door, or along the dryer seal. To get rid of the foul odor, clean your dryer with a bleach and water solution or a white vinegar and water solution. Then let the dryer air dry before using it again.

Lint is a buildup of soap, fibers, and dirt that collects in the lint tray, the lint tray housing, or the lint filter. The lint itself can smell, but it can also block airflow, which can cause mold growth inside the vent. Make sure to clean the lint every time you run your dryer to prevent foul odors.

How Do I Stop My Dryer From Smelling Musty?

The best way to stop your dryer from smelling musty is to clean it with a white vinegar and water solution or a bleach and water solution. Mix one cup of cleaner with 1 gallon of fresh water. That musty smell is caused by mold and mildew growth, which can be cleaned and deodorized with either vinegar or bleach.

Dip a clean cloth into your cleaning solution and wash the inside of your dryer drum, the door, and the entire door seal. Then leave the door open and allow your dryer to air dry.

Summary: Why Does My Dryer Smell?

To clean your smelly dryer and prevent foul odors from coming back, do the following:

Thorough Cleaning: Start by cleaning the dryer drum and all accessible parts. Wipe them down with a mixture of water and vinegar, or use an appliance cleaner.
Ventilation is Key: Check the dryer’s vent and make sure it’s clean and free from any blockages. A well-ventilated dryer helps reduce moisture build-up, thwarting mold growth.
Ditch Dampness: Avoid leaving damp clothes inside the dryer after the cycle ends. Promptly take them out to prevent mold and mildew from taking hold.
Dryer Maintenance: Regularly inspect and clean the lint trap. A clogged lint trap leads to reduced airflow, encouraging musty smells.

Once your dryer is thoroughly cleaned, the bad smell should go away. However, you have to keep the dryer clean and lint-free in order to prevent future odors.

If you have any questions or comments about why your dryer smells bad, email any time.