Asked on Aug 25, 2015
Remove odor from dryer
+12
I just got a used dryer and the scent of detergent fabric softener is over powering. How can I remove this smell? TIA
13 answers
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what worked for me was to wipe the dryer out with a clean cloth &really warm white vinegar... then I soaked a small towel in the white vinegar, wrung out well & ran it through a normal cycle.. left the cloth in there over night & next morning all the annoying smell was gone... hope this helps. [ those scents from fabric softner linger because there is wax in the product & it builds up in the dryer] remember to clean your lint screen with very hot water & a bit of the vinegar too as it [ wax] builds up on the screen as well & thus you would still have the odor.
Peggy Ash
on Aug 26, 2015
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Don't forget to clean the hose too.
Liliana Wells
on Aug 26, 2015
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use a solution of vinegar and water in the soap dispenser and run it through a small cycle.
Janet Pizaro
on Aug 26, 2015
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I like Peggy's solution. Remember to clean that lint screen by soaking it in a dish of vinegar. I had to do my brother's over night to get all the goo out. I would also scrub the interior with vinegar, just watch for fumes. Deep breath and hold it, dive in and scrub for a bit, then back out for more fresh air. You can put vinegar in a spray bottle to make it go quicker. And never use dryer sheets. They damage the moisture sensor of your dryer.
Cheryle Fuller
on Aug 26, 2015
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I use essential oils and there are several ways to handle all kinds of odors in most anything! Very easy!
JoAnn Hanna
on Aug 26, 2015
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One of the best solutions for removing odors, I have found, is to scrunch up a lot of newspapers and run the dryer for about 1/2 an hour on low temperature. This also is great for removing odors that are hard to remove in your refrigerator. Leave newspaper in fridge overnight. Works great!
Patricia Snyder
on Aug 26, 2015
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Another way to rid of odor is to sprinkle vanilla on a rag and run through dryer or just let it sit overnight.
Diane Wickham
on Aug 26, 2015
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I myself use the oils on a washcloth--
JoAnn Hanna
on Aug 26, 2015
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I wouldn't want to put anything wet on the newspaper because of the ink.
JoAnn Hanna
on Aug 26, 2015
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Even though I didn't write the original request for ideas, I appreciate everyone's input and I will be using your suggestions!
Susan N
on Aug 27, 2015
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Try putting a cut up grapefruit in a bowl inside the dryer and let it sit for several days. Also works for refrigerators, smelly ice chests (especially if it had raw fish in it).
Dee
on Aug 27, 2015
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Get some crushed activated charcoal in the garden section of your local big box store. Pour some in a dish, fold up a towel and put it in the dryer so that it will give the dish something to sit on. Shut the door. Do not turn on the dryer. Leave it for 24 hours then recheck it. I did that with a dryer that was in my first apartment many years ago and it worked. I used a whole bag of the charcoal spread out in a shallow pan and the smell was gone within 24 hours. It also works in dressers or trunks that smell bad.
Sherry Fram
on Aug 27, 2015
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UNPLUG DRYER! Remove back of dryer, vacuum inside especially bottom to prevent lint, dust from catching fire. Wipe with rag sprayed with vinegar. Rinse & spin a blanket or large towel in vinegar in washer. Put in dryer and wipe down inside of dryer with towel. Dry completely. Leave open till dryer cools. Check for odor. Dry clean load of items to tell for sure if odor is gone. Leave dryer open overnight at end of each days loads.
Hb-526434
on Aug 29, 2015
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