Your Washing Machine Could Be To Blame For Your Stinky Dryer

When you pull your clothes out of the dryer, the hope is that you'll be hit with a lovely, fresh scent. After all, isn't that one of the points of doing laundry? So, it can be overly frustrating if you're instead met with an odor that's just plain bad. There are many causes of a stinky dryer if you put in some detective work. In fact, the dryer could be not to blame at all! The washing machine, its best buddy, could actually be the one responsible for the stink. Luckily, there are ways to take action to make it a problem of the past.

Getting a whiff of mustiness seems to point the finger at wet clothing that's been left too long. But when the smell continues to be in the dryer, well, something's definitely not right. A washing machine can get dirty just like everything else, and in turn not do its job quite like it should. There could be mildew and mold hiding inside, which is often the result of leftover detergent residue. Odor-causing bacteria can build up as well, or there might be a draining issue. It's also not pleasant to think about everything a washer comes in contact with, including soiled and sweaty clothing — yikes. Understandably, all these smells can end up making their way to the dryer, so you'll need some cleaning and maintenance tasks to fix it.

To keep your clothes smelling fresh, it's a good idea to go right to the source — the washing machine. If you discover that it's indeed the cause of your smelly dryer, you should give it a good cleaning. Scrub all of the dispensers to remove residue and grime. Sanitize the washer by pouring a 1/4 cup of baking soda inside. Then, add a couple of cups of vinegar to the dispenser. While the machine is empty, run a cycle using hot water, and the ingredients will help clean and freshen it up. This is a technique you can perform regularly, approximately once a month.

Even though it's not its fault, you should clean your dryer, too. Start by emptying out the lint trap. Then, unplug the appliance and use your vacuum wand to remove any debris inside the drum. For an electric dryer, clean the drum with a damp rag and soapy water. If it's gas, use a non-flammable solution. Finally, towel dry it off. Do this regularly to help keep your dryer in good shape.

There are also some preventive measures you can take with your washing machine so that it doesn't develop that funky smell in the first place. After cycles, be sure to move the wet clothing as soon as possible. Leave the lid open in between washes to help with air circulation, and be sure to use no more than the recommended amount of detergent. Lastly, occasionally run a load using a hot cycle to help sanitize the drum. With everything combined, it'll hopefully stop passing bad odors on to your dryer.