Help - smelly tumble drier

myrnahaz

Clothes that come out of my tumble drier smell musty, despite using lovely smelling washing powder etc. I don't mind that the clothes don't smell of perfume, I just want them to stop smelling horrible. I love the smell of washing that's been line dried, but I work full time and the weather doesn't always suit my days off. My drier is pretty new (6 months), and I clean the filter and empty the water all the time, but my clothes still end up smelling horrid. I don't like those bounce sheets as they're so expensive and the perfume is so awful, and my kitchen would smell like a chip shop if Iused a cloth soaked in vinegar! Any suggestions?

squeaky

Are you really sure that it's your tumble drier making them smell? That's very odd because usually it's the washing machine. You might not necessarily smell the mustiness on the washing if it's very mild because it can be hidden by the smell of the powder and fabric conditioner - but only smell it as it dries out.

I'd suggest you take a look at the MEGA Index sticky at the top of the forum listing and click on the Appliances section. There are suggestions on how to refresh the washing machine there. Try those first to see if the smell stops. Come back and let us know how you get on

Edit: I've just realsied yours is one that uses water as a condensing drier. Sorry. Try wiping the inside of the drum (and the water collector) with antiseptic baby wipes. If your water collector comes right out you could bung in with the dishes... and wipe the space it fits into.

culpepper

You can make your own smelly stuff for the drier!
You need a sponge and a container with a lid,filled with diluted fabric softener ,any kind will do.
Put the sponge in the container.When you tumble some clothes,grab the wet sponge and wring it out into the container then pop it in with the clothes.Afterwards just pop the sponge back in the liquid till next time.

myrnahaz

Thanks, Squeaky and Culpepper, you've both helped enormously. I hadn't thought it might be that the washing machine needs attention - in fact, I feel a bit foolish because there's definitely a need to vinegarize my washing machine. I also love the idea of using fabric softener on a sponge - I can use the bicarb/vinegar mix to the wahing machine and add the smelly stuff in the drier.

RandyRos

I have the same problem. my dryer is about 3yrs old and it is vented outside.

i like the idea of the sponge, but i mainly dry towels on the HOT setting, wont they melt???

I am going to refresh my washer in case its that. but i havent long done it.

Pooky

I've had the same problem with my condenser dryer - I solved it last week though by putting some bicarb in an old sock (knotted at the top) and gave it a 10 minute tumble - the smells completely gone now.

RandyRos

ooh now thats a damn good idea, thanks

tforceimaj

SOLUTION!

I realise is posted many years after this thread started. However I found a simple solution to getting rid of nearly all the smell from brand new condenser dryers. The smell is due to the drying process not the age or contents of the dryer in this case and solution.

When you use your condenser dryer, dry the clothes for 30 minutes, then remove each piece of clothing one by one and shake them in the air to let the steam evaporate. After that replace them back in the dryer and heat for another 30 minutes. Then repeat as necessary. This actually speeds up the drying process significantly, perhaps as much as by 1/3 off the drying time. Also the smell is barely noticeable even when sniffing the clothes directly. You can add a fragrance sheet to your dryer and the clothes will smell clean and fresh.

No more smelly clothes!

I hope people read this and find a solution to smelly clothes with a condenser dryer.

Just to note, you can dry for 20 mins, or 40 mins and then air off the clothes, just use your common sense to see what works best.

Peace!

leannag83

Hi folks,


I was wondering if anyone could give me any tips on how to get rid of a nasty smell from my tumble dryer?
last week I had stripped mine and my daughters beds to freshen up our bed sets and I told my daughter to put her mattress protector in the wash also. Once the washing was done I asked my daughter to put the washing in the tumble dryer completely forgetting that the mattress protector was in there. By the time I remembered about it, it was too late. It had completely melted and was melted to the other washing. The smell was so horrible. I cleaned it all out the next day and took the condenser bit off and washed it in the sink etc.. but i cant seem to get rid of the melted mattress protector smell.. please help