Do you ever walk into your laundry room and wonder why your clothes dryer smells like a sewer pipe? Well, we’ve all been there when it comes to our clothes dryer. And while you might think that all you need to do is clean it out, the problem might be something other than lint and dust bunnies. Calgary appliance repair contractors say there are several things you can do to improve your dryer’s smell and keep laundry day from smelling rotten. However, before you begin, you should know what’s causing the odor. Here are the most common causes of a smelly clothes dryer.
Lint Buildup In The Exhaust Vent
If the exhaust vent is clogged, lint will collect in the dryer. The buildup will ultimately cause a musty odor throughout your clothes. If you don’t clean out this buildup, it can also lead to mold and mildew problems. You may also notice that the noise from your dryer is louder than it used to be. That’s because it’s sucking in more lint to compensate for the clogged vent.
Smelly Clothing
One of the causes of laundry room odor may be because you’ve run a load that included smelly clothing. Underwear and workout clothes are notorious for having a lingering odor. Sometimes, the smell can’t be removed even after repeated washings, so it carries over to your dryer. If you dry these items, it can turn into a permanent musty smell.
Pest Infiltration
Unfortunately, rodents and other pests like to find cozy spots inside your dryer. If they nest in the machine, it leads to a foul odor. You can prevent pests by taking preventative measures like sealing up any cracks or holes in your house.
Overloading Of The Dryer
When you overload your dryer, the drum is forced to work overtime which can lead to excessive heat and a burning smell. In addition, you may notice that the dryer’s cycles become longer and longer as it struggles to complete the job. If it becomes overloaded, it will start to lose temperature. As a result, your clothing will take longer to dry, and it may even smell damp when it comes out of the dryer.
Food Residues
Sometimes, the smell of your dryer is not a serious problem. However, sometimes food can get stuck in the drum and create an odour. For example, food can become lodged in the rotating drum of your dryer from sticky lint that’s caught under there or even from food items like cheese or meat left on clothing after their use. One way you can check for this kind of buildup is to look under your dryer for any sort of residue or build-up and remove it. In addition, you might want to consider cleaning your dryer every six months, so it’s easier to spot food crumbs.
How to Clean Your Dryer
Once you know what’s causing your dryer to smell, you can decide how and where to clean. Here are steps to take to keep your dryer clean and running smoothly.
Step 1: Using a towel, wipe the drum, interior, and exterior vent clean.
Step 2: Remove the lint filter by running the dryer for about 10 minutes to create extra agitation. The lint may be stuck in there and take a while to fall.
Step 3:Mix 2 cups of baking soda in 1/4 cup of vinegar and flush the entire machine with a solution.
Step 4: Scrub the inside, outside, and lint filter with a washing-up brush
Step 5: Let the dryer run for about ten minutes to make sure all chemicals are thoroughly exhausted.
Step 6: Use vinegar spray: Spray the inside of the drum exterior, lint filter, and interior vent with vinegar to kill any lingering odour.
Step 7. Place dry towels inside the drum and turn the dryer to “air dry” or “fluff” for 20 minutes. This will help absorb any remaining moisture.
Step 9: Allow the dryer to cool before using it again, and do not overload.
The smelly clothes dryer is a common problem faced by many people. However, If you follow these simple steps, mildew or musty smell in your laundry room should no longer be an issue. If you are still having issues with your dryer, it’s best to call in an appliance repair contractor to inspect your dryer and determine what needs to be done to remove the odour entirely, so you don’t have to live with foul odours for any longer.
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