What is up with my crazy a$$ laundry? Why are my clothes coming out of the dryer with a bad smell??? If you have this problem you are not alone. I went through the same thing last year. You won’t believe what was causing my problem and how easy it was to eliminate clothes dryer odors!
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Over the years, I have talked a lot about laundry issues. It is no secret that I have a love/hate relationship with these high-efficiency machines. But, the world doesn’t revolve around my opinions, and I, like many of you, have had to adapt to what the market offers me.
I have had to learn to either live with the issues or figure out a way around them. I have chosen the latter because it is just in my nature to problem solve. (and I so love taking things apart) ?
As you probably already know, these newer machines often result in odors that can be frustrating to diagnose. Last year, my clothes kept coming out of the dryer with this awful burnt smell.
The smell was weird because I couldn’t quite pinpoint whether it was a chemical smell or if it was a musky body odor. The closest thing that I could relate it to was the smell of burning hair… or burning something.
It seemed to only happen when my husband washed the laundry. So naturally I blamed him. And no, my husband is not one of those men who is clueless about housekeeping. He is actually quite good at keeping things neat. But… all I’m gonna say is take a look at my Pampered Chef stoneware. Enough said.
Well, as it turns out, it was not his fault. It just happened that the laundry loads that he most frequently did were his darks combined with some of our sons’ darks.
So, I thought that perhaps it was a body odor issue coming from one of them. My temporary solution was to stop washing my clothes with theirs. And sure enough, it only occurred in their clothes.
My next step of elimination was to wash each person’s darks separately. That removed the smell from my husband’s clothes. But, my sons’ clothes were still coming out of the dryer with a bad smell.
On the very next load, I started sniffing each and every piece of clothing. Some smelled more than others. THEN, I found the culprit. Yep, I discovered exactly why my dryer was making my clothes smell bad.
But before I disclose my discovery, let me first go over all the different reasons why your dryer may be making your clothes smell and how to get rid of the odors. I’ll pick up my story in a bit.
Causes for Dryer Mold/Mildew Odor
The most common smell in clothes is a mildew or moldy odor. There are two ways that this can happen.
1. You have left your clothes sitting too long in the dryer while wet. This can happen if you load the machine and forget to turn it on. But, more common is when the dryer shuts off before the clothes are completely dry and they sit in damp conditions for too long.
Make sure that you set the dryer to run long enough to ensure completely dry clothes. If you are going to restrict the running time to the minimum, make sure that you are around to remove the clothes as soon as the machine stops.
2. The most common reason for a moldy or mildew odor in clothes is not even the fault of your dryer. Most likely, this problem lies with your washing machine.
High-efficiency washing machines can and will grow mold. The good news is that you can get rid of washing machine mold. Just follow my corrective and maintenance steps for removing mold in washers.
Dryer Clothes Smell Unfresh/Still Dirty
If your clothes are coming out of your dryer with a stale or less than fresh smell, the good news is that it likely isn’t your dryer. The odor inducing bacteria was probably left behind by the washing machine.
Even clothes that smell fresh coming out of the washer can still have odor-causing particles left behind. They are often hidden by scented laundry detergent and/or softeners. It is just the heat of the dryer that releases them.
There are several things that can cause these odors to linger in the laundry. It could be that you:
1. Overloaded the washing machine. This makes it difficult for a high-efficiency machine to properly clean clothes. Try reducing loads to a maximum of either 5-6 adult size jeans, or 6-7 standard-sized bath towels, or the equivalent amounts of other clothing items.
2. There is not enough water in the machine. This is a problem that almost all washing machines have. It was one of my biggest dislikes with my new machine. I solved that problem by adjusting the water level sensor. Now, my machine gets plenty of water and cleans much better.
3. Some odor-causing bacteria are more resistant than others. For clothes that have body odors, I like to use Lysol’s Laundry Sanitizer.* This is amazing at eliminating clingy body odors. (FYI – I also use this when I deep clean my rugs).
Dryer Making Clothes Have a Chemical Smell
If your clothes are coming out of the dryer with a chemical smell, there are several possible causes.
1. If your machine is brand new, it is likely that the dryer is off-gassing. Sometimes, new dryers need a few rounds to burn off the residue left behind during manufacturing. Sometimes, the plastic components will off-gas when they get hot.
Off-gassing should leave after one or two 50 minute rounds. If your laundry continues to smell beyond that point, it is probably something else causing it.
2. There is lint built up inside the lint trap. Lint will smell like the clothes that it came from. So, if you have lint from a previously smelly item, it will transfer to the rest of the clothes. Clean the lint trap each time you dry a load.
3. There is something stuck on the drum. Chemical smells are usually the result of something plastic getting hot or melting. Inspect the drum to make sure that nothing has become stuck to it.
Stickers and candy wrappers can become stuck to a drum and cause a horrible smell that will take forever to burn off. Most items can be removed with goof-off. Use a soapy cloth to wash away the residue left behind by the goof-off.
4. Elastic items can produce off-gassing. This is it, folks! This is the nasty odor-causing culprit in my clothes. To be precise, it was the elastic in the boy’s underwear.
When I started sniffing items, I eventually reached the underwear. That hair burning chemical smell was coming from the waistbands. The underwear that my boys use is Hanes and Fruit of the Loom.
To be fair, the laundry tag symbols show medium dryer heat, and I am sure that these had high heat applied to them at some point. However, even at the required heat settings they still smell. In fact, the smell is there all the time and only intensifies in the dryer.
I don’t know why these smell like this. I can only assume that it is some sort of cheap product that is coming in from a China manufacturing plant. But, whatever the cause, it certainly can’t be good to smell the fumes.
I don’t want to turn this post into an anti-product piece, but I have to say that anyone using these brands of underwear should smell the waistbands as soon as you pull them out of the dryer.
You may also want to check any other items that contain elastic. It is likely that your chemical smell problem is right there.
To help with the smell, I found that using the lowest heat setting, removing them as soon as they are dry, and not placing them in the laundry basket with other clothes helps to keep the rest of the laundry from smelling bad.
Final Comments:
I guess the whole point of this post is that you can find the source of the problem through the process of elimination and applying the above knowledge. I hope that I have helped you figure out the cause for your clothes coming out of the dryer smelling bad.
If you have discovered anything weird that was causing odors in your clothes, please share it for the rest of us in the comments. If you still can’t find the source, it may be time to contact a maintenance person.
Lana says
This article was a life saver!!!! Thank you!!!
Rachel Lynn says
Glad I could help.
CJ says
Thank you so much. I did my laundry today (at the local laundromat) and I was concerned that I picked up “some odor” from someone else. I was ready to through everything out… It irked me…I decided to check the label of the underwear….. It was indeed the same brand. Thanks so much. I can go to sleep now.
Rachel Lynn says
Yeah, it does create an odor sort of like B.O. ?
Danielle says
My clothes smell great when I’m removing them from the washer. Once dried, nothing. I was just about to buy some of those little beads you toss in the washer because off of a sudden my laundry does not smell clean. We just bought a brand new set so don’t think it’s mold…I’m going to try smaller loads tomorrow. thanks
Glenda says
The odor started when we bought an HE washer and dryer. I wish I had my old agitator washer and dryer back.
Rachel Lynn says
I can relate to this. I often miss mine and will probably switch back when I have to buy a new set.
Dawn says
I will try washing my other clothes without the underwear and see if this is it! I’ve tried everything and nothing has helped! Thanks for the possible fix!
Rachel Lynn says
Dawn, good luck! It really made a difference for me.
Tammy Russell says
What if all these don’t work? Even washed the washer, took apart and thoroughly cleaned dryer, brand new home so super clean ducting. Doesn’t matter whether they’re brand new towels or regular clothes, different detergents, etc. The dryer is over 10 years old.
Rachel Lynn says
Can you give a bit more detail on what odors you are having. (musty, chemical, etc)? It is just a matter of tracking it back to the source.
Julie says
I use Lysol Laundry Sanitizer in the washing machine, but even so, sheets, towels and clothing still don’t smell fresh after being the dryer. but if I hang a tank top to dry, it will still smell fresh (like Lysol Laundry Sanitizer) — it makes me wonder just how effective Lysol Laundry Sanitizer really is.
Rachel Lynn says
If clothes go into the dryer fresh but come out not smelling clean, that would indicate that something is occurring during the drying cycle to embed odors. It could also be that your sheets/towels need a deep cleaning to remove set in body oils. Fabrics will trap sweat and oils. They will often smell “clean” until they are exposed to heat, either from either the dryer or body heat. It is only then that the odors are released.
Erika says
this has got to be my issue. i wash towels and sheets (no undies) they smell great out of wash & like BO from drier. i was going to buy drier beads but will try your tips first. glad i found this post!
Rachel Lynn says
Glad to help.
deborah says
jeans, sweatshirts, etc. come out smelling like dry baby milk. We don’t have a BABY! Not happy with this new unpleasant smell that clothes have after drying. I absolutely hate my Maytag washer and Maytag dryer. Husband insisted on new and my old conventionals were incredibly awesome. No smells, clothes always fresh and clean to smell and sight. This new washer wrenches my clothes into knots. The dryer makes clothes smell like oil and also like dried milk. No way is this acceptable
Rachel Lynn says
Deborah, I hate that you are struggling with this. I’ve never experienced the dry milk scent. But, perhaps the oil smell is from residual oil/grease that was left behind during manufacturing. Sounds like it is in a place it shouldn’t be and is getting hot. I would definitely put in a call to Maytag about this issue.
Daniel faust says
Ok, here’s one. This has been going on for some time now. I will wash and dry all the clothes and some will smell fresh and others smell like BO so bad I could get a headache. So why, in the same load, do 3 articles…cotton shorts, sport nylon shirts….smell bad to me and all the rest around it smells fine, like I want it to. Could it be my detergent?? Help
Rachel Lynn says
Daniel, This is a common issue with high-efficiency machines. My son’s t-shirts used to have lingering BO as well. The clothes in question need what we call a stripping. Try placing them in a large bucket or bathtub and add in a large scoop of Oxiclean (with odor blasters). Allow them to soak for several hours before washing. From then onward, if you have a sanitize setting on your machine, use that for the items that smell. Wash in the hottest water and make sure that they are loosely packed to allow plenty of movement.
Krissie M Wilson says
I never had a problem with my clothes smelling clean and fresh until my husband (trying to be thoughtful) said we should get a front-loading washer/dryer set. I hate!!!! the front-loading washer!! It constantly smells mildewy. I have two Damp Rid containers in my small laundry room. I wipe the gasket/seal after every wash and the door. I also put one container of Damp Rid in the washer after I’m done with the laundry. I have cleaned the machine and run the self clean cycle. They are less than a year old and I just want my old set back!! Sometimes my clothes smell good after the wash but then lose the smell in the dryer. I’m at a loss here. I’m going to try a couple of your suggestions. So glad I found your post and to know it’s not just me. Also, if you know anything about the :venting” cycle could you explain it to me?
Rachel Lynn says
Krissie, I am right there with ya. Check out my post on deep cleaning a washing machine. You might find something helpful there. As far as the venting cycle, some of the newer machines are now coming with this. It is suppose to reduce the humidity of the machine with the door closed. I haven’t used one with this feature, so I can’t say if it works.
Scentless says
Please Help – no one can give me an answer!! Okay here is a question that no one has ever been able to really answer. I have a brand new Samsung washer, front loader, it has no mildew etc. Now my dryer is about 20 years old, long live the Maytag lol. My clothes come out smelling amazing after washing them but I swear the dryer is removing the scent. Our clothes are not sweaty, they are never left in the washer, etc etc. I moved 3 years ago and got a whole new dryer vent etc and it did the same thing in both homes so it can’t be that. I have tried numerous times to really get down deep in the lint trap to clean it but the way it’s made it’s nearly impossible to go very far. So, anyone have any fact based ideas on why it’s removing the scent. I’ve tried every combination of detergent, softener, beads, dryer sheets etc and a very, very barely there smell/nothing is my result, always. I even started drying the clothes a little shorter time in case over drying could be a culprit, still nothing.
Rachel Lynn says
Most scented detergents and fabric softeners diminish in the dryer to some degree. If you are looking for a long-lasting or stronger scent, maybe try dryer sheets. Bounce has some strong straight-from-the-dryer scents if that is the type of thing you are looking for. You can double up for stronger results. Just keep in mind that many laundry “scents” are wax based and may cause issues with cleanliness if over done.
Barbara Whittle says
There was another culpret I did not know existed, my front loading washer has a filter as well, and it could not be in a more inconvenient spot if they tried. The filter is accessed from the bottom of the machine. I have to tip the machine high enough that my helper can get to the filter to remove it. It was gross, it smells awful, slimy and full of dog hair. When this filter is full the machine will not drain either.
Rachel Lynn says
Barbara, Yes the washer filter can cause problems – you will find it listed in my post on washing-machine odors. The bottom of the machine is a horrible location to deal with. I’ve not come across one with that configuration yet. But what a bad design by the brand.
Dawn says
I find that I get a very odd smell when I wash my son’s gym shorts or sweat pants that are made of that shiney material, maybe polyester, not sure what the fabric is but it drives me crazy. The smell is sort of like a “malt” smell that gets on everything. I only recently realized it might be that. Still not 100% sure though. Thank you for the article!
mj says
Yes, my husband’s one NEW pair of (kinda shiny) sweatpants smells Horrible after machine drying. It’s so bad, we now just let them air dry. Don’t know what that chemical is, but it made all the clothes in that load smell bad and I am still dealing with it. The brand is Russell, (made in Jordan).