Clothes smell bad after the dryer.

A common problem is clothes smelling musty after drying. It might seem like there's no way to add fabric softener to the washing machine, since the laundry is clean. In fact, drying clothes in a confined space causes them to suffocate and develop an unpleasant odor.

What should you do if your laundry smells bad right out of the dryer? First, make sure there's no dirt or mold inside the drum. Second, check the lint filter is full. Third, drain the condensate container. Let's take a closer look.

The dryer drum should smell good.

The first thing you need to do is check the dryer itself for any foul odor. Open the door and sniff the interior. If you smell a sharp, unpleasant odor, the cause is obvious. Sometimes it can be a subtle odor, but in any case, you'll need to take a look inside the dryer.

Dirt accumulates on the walls of the drum and in the cuff of the dryer, and if the appliance is not ventilated, mold and mildew can form inside.

Sometimes it is not enough to simply wipe the inside of the machine with a wet cloth. A solution of citric acid helps well in combating odor. This is a very effective and cost-effective remedy.

To prepare the solution, you'll need 100 grams of lemon juice. Pour the granules into a mug, then add 200 ml of boiling water. Stir the resulting liquid and let it cool.

Next, soak a cloth in the warm solution and wipe thoroughly:

• drum walls;
• the "wrong" side of the hatch;
• the location of the lint filter and the container itself;
• heat exchanger installation area;
• other internal areas that can be reached.

Once you're done cleaning, leave your "household helper" to dry completely. Then, add a few clothes to the drum and run the drying cycle. In most cases, this treatment helps eliminate unpleasant odors.

Why does the stench return?

Sometimes, after several treatments with lemon solution, the odor doesn't go away. More precisely, it goes away for a couple of cycles, but then returns. This happens when the dryer is installed in the wrong place.

Many housewives, in an effort to save space, place their dryers in confined spaces, such as a cramped pantry or closet. While this is practical, it keeps the dryer out of sight and out of sight. However, the dryer draws in dusty, stale air while it's in use. This causes filters to clog faster, leaving the dried laundry smelling.

In this situation, it's best to move the machine to a different location where air circulation won't be obstructed. Alternatively, leave the pantry/cupboard door open while the dryer is running and for a couple of hours afterwards. If both options aren't possible, at least use special fragrances for washing machines to impart a pleasant scent to clothes. Don't forget to clean the lint filter of your "home helper" every now and then.

Aromatizing laundry in the dryer

If the dryer itself doesn't smell, but your clothes still smell bad, you can use special fragrances. A great option is scented wipes for dryers. The fabric softener sheets are added directly to the drum along with the laundry. At the end of the cycle, the clothes are delicately scented.

One scented leaf is enough for 5-6 kg of laundry.

Fabric softener sheets can also be placed in the closet next to your clothes to preserve their scent. These sheets are hypoallergenic and made from eco-friendly viscose. They can be used to dry all types of fabric, including children's clothing.

In addition to their main function, scented wipes also:

• act as an antistatic agent;
• prevent the formation of folds and creases in the fabric;
• protect things from overdrying.

You can purchase these wipes in household cleaning aisles or on marketplaces. On average, a 40-sheet conditioner pack costs around $6–$7. One box is enough for 30–40 dry clothes.

Instructions for use are always included on the product packaging. There's nothing complicated about it. Just:

• take the required number of napkins from the pack (1 or 2, depending on the weight of the loaded laundry);
• put the leaves in the drum, with the things;
• start the desired drying program;
• wait until the cycle is complete.

Sheet fabric softener is a solution that's suitable for everyone. There's also an option for owners of dryers with a dedicated fragrance compartment. For example, Miele dryers feature this compartment.

The FragranceDos option is available on all modern Miele models. The fragrance compartment is located under the machine's loading door. Opening the door reveals a small recess.

Miele dryer fragrances are produced by Mane, a family-owned company based in France. They contain natural essential oils, which are responsible for the pleasant aroma. The line includes bottles with the scents "Aqua," "Cocoon," and "Nature."

One capsule lasts for 50 drying cycles. The flow rate is adjustable. The scent can be either strong or subtle, depending on the user's preference. The scent lasts up to four weeks, according to the manufacturer.

Scented dryer bottles are available on marketplaces. Capsules are also available at Miele retailers. Each package costs approximately $28.

Clean the dryer regularly from dirt.

Treating the inside of the dryer with a lemon solution is pointless if certain parts haven't been cleaned in a while. "Wiping" the inside won't produce any results, as dirt will remain. Therefore, be sure to check several components.

An unpleasant odor may come from a clogged lint filter.

Dust generated during drying clothes gets caught in the lint filter. It's best to clean it after each use of your "home helper." Otherwise, the appliance will dry less effectively. Furthermore, a clogged tray can cause an unpleasant odor.

Some dryers, like Miele's, have a pair of lint filters. These are located near the door. When cleaning, remove dirt from both the main filter and the filter tab.

The algorithm of actions will be as follows:

• remove the lint filter from the dryer;
• clean the dust from the mesh (it is permissible to remove it with a vacuum cleaner);
• Rinse the filter mesh under running warm water;
• wash the plastic tray itself;
• Dry the elements and install them back into the machine.

If your dryer is connected to a sewer line, keep the drain hose clean. It can also be a source of odor. Therefore, every few months, disconnect the drain hose and rinse it under running water.

Another possible cause of a foul odor from your dryer is a clogged heat exchanger filter. It's located in the base of the machine, behind a small service hatch. It's located under the drum door, on the right or left side.

The heat exchanger filter is easy to access. Simply open the lid and pull the protruding handle. Afterwards, the element is cleaned, rinsed in warm water, dried, and reinstalled.

It's crucial to completely dry the heat exchanger filter before reinstalling it. If it's damp, the machine will malfunction. Also, wipe the handle and element cover with a cloth—they also accumulate dirt.

Dust and debris also penetrate the heat exchanger itself, which also requires regular maintenance. It is recommended to completely clean the heat exchanger of the automatic dryer once every 1-2 months. If the device is used rarely, the break between cleanings may be extended.

Heat exchanger clogged with dust and dirt:

• slows down the drying of clothes;
• will ultimately lead to equipment failure;
• causes the laundry to smell bad after drying.

To clean the entire heat exchanger:

• de-energize the machine;
• Cover the floor around the appliance with dry rags (water may spill out when removing the element from the dryer);
• find the technical hatch behind which the heat exchanger filter is hidden;
• open the door;
• turn the locking levers so that they “look” at each other;
• remove the top cover of the heat exchanger;
• remove the element itself from the machine.

Now you need to rinse the heat exchanger in warm water. Wipe the surface of the element with a cloth or napkin. Do not use brushes or hard sponges, as they can easily damage the part.

You should also wipe down the element's seat and rubber seal. There's no need to wait for the heat exchanger to dry completely; simply let the water drain. Now you can put the element back in the machine.

The heat exchanger is installed in reverse order. The element is inserted into the dryer, then its top cover is replaced, and the locking levers are returned to their original position. The access door is closed.

Your dryer needs to be maintained. Dust and dirt accumulate inside the appliance and need to be cleaned regularly. It's also important to ventilate the appliance. These simple steps will help prevent unpleasant odors from your dryer.

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