How to remove odor from your dryer?

Have you noticed that your dryer is starting to smell bad? Don't be alarmed, in general, this is a normal phenomenon that is easy to get rid of. Let's figure out why there is a smell in the dryer, how to remove it, and what parts of the “home assistant” will need to be cleaned.

Making the stench disappear

There is a universal way to eliminate odors in your dryer. It will work if the dryer is thoroughly cleaned first. What does it mean? Before the procedure, be sure to empty the fluff filter, wash the drain hose, and remove dust from the heat exchanger.

A solution of citric acid helps remove odors from your dryer.

You need to take 100 grams of citric acid and pour it into a 200 ml glass. Next, the container is filled to the brim with boiling water. The solution is stirred and cooled at room temperature.

Then you need to moisten a clean napkin in the resulting solution and wipe:

• the inner surface of the dryer drum;
• filter seat;
• heat exchanger installation area;
• other internal surfaces that can be reached by hand.

After finishing processing, wait until the dryer is completely dry. Then start the cycle by throwing a few things into the machine. Such actions will help cope with the unpleasant odor in 90% of cases.

Cleaning the lint trap

It is useless to wipe the “insides” of the machine with a solution of citric acid if some components of the dryer have not been cleaned for a long time. Therefore, before processing, be sure to rid the device of contamination. The fluff filter is checked first.

The filter element collects dust generated when drying clothes. It is recommended to clean the lint filter after each use of the dryer. Otherwise, each time the “home assistant” will work slower and slower. A clogged container will also cause an unpleasant odor.

Some brands of dryers, such as Miele, have two lint filters. They are located in the drum door area. When cleaning the elements, debris must be removed from both the grids and the perforated tongue.

After removing the lint, be sure to rinse the filter mesh under running water. Wipe the container itself with a damp cloth. It is allowed to clean the filter elements of dryers with a vacuum cleaner.

If your dryer is connected to a drain, flush the drain hose. Dirt settles on its walls, which can cause an unpleasant odor.

Filter element near the heat exchanger

The next step is to clean the filter located near the heat exchanger. It is hidden behind a small cover in the base of the dryer, directly under the loading hatch. Right or left - will depend on the car model.

In most dryers, the filter can be removed very simply - just pull the special handle and remove the element. Next, the part is washed under running water, wrung out, dried and returned to its place.

Be sure to completely dry the plinth filter. You cannot return it to the machine wet, otherwise the device will fail. The handle, which is attached to the filter element, and the outer cover are wiped separately.

Removing dust from the heat exchanger

You should completely clean your dryer's heat exchanger about once a month. If the dryer is used actively, then more often. When the device is started once every 4-5 days, you can increase the interval between cleanings.

Be sure to clean the heat exchanger as it collects dust and other debris.

Why is it so important to remember to clean the heat exchanger? An element clogged with dust will not only prolong the time required to dry clothes, but can also lead to damage to the appliance. This also often causes an unpleasant odor.

To clean the heat exchanger, you must:

• turn off the power to the dryer;
• wait until the device cools down (if the machine was working before);
• cover the floor around the dryer with rags (in case water flows out of the machine when dismantling the element);
• find the technical hatch door, behind which the heat exchanger is “hidden” (its location will depend on the model of the dryer, usually at the bottom of the body, in the front);
• open the door and turn the two locking levers towards each other;
• remove the top cover of the heat exchanger;
• remove the element itself from the dryer.

Next, the heat exchanger is washed under running water. After this, if necessary, you can wipe it with a napkin. Do not use brushes or sponges with an abrasive surface - they can damage the part.

It is also necessary to clean the heat exchanger seat and sealing rubber. There is no need to wait for the part to dry completely - just let the water drain. Next, the element is put back, closed with a lid, and the locking levers are moved to the initial position.

If you notice that your laundry smells bad after drying, don’t panic. Cleaning a dryer is quite simple - any housewife can do it. Empty the fluff filter, rinse the heat exchanger, wipe the “insides” of the device with a solution of citric acid. In the vast majority of cases, this will help solve the problem.

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