Doing the laundry is an essential and time-consuming chore.
It can be frustrating if linens, clothing, and more, have an odour despite washing and drying them.
Clothes may not smell fresh after tumble drying for various reasons. Odours may come from the dryer if it is new, needs repair, is unclean, or overloaded. The washing machine can also cause odour if it is overloaded, ineffective, or has plumbing issues. Mould, mildew, bacteria, hard water, elastic clothing, and stinky clothes can cause lingering odours too.
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12 Reasons Why Clothes Do Not Smell Fresh After Tumble Drying
Having an extension on your home with a laundry room offers great convenience. Laundry comes with time-consuming efforts, and unfortunately, clothes may continue to smell bad after your efforts.
These are related to issues with the washing machine, tumble dryer, or the washed items themselves.
This table gives a brief look at these problems and fixes.
| Source Of Odour | Causes Of Odours & Fixes |
|---|---|
| Tumble dryer | 1. New appliance releases chemical odours Fix: run a short empty cycle 2. Needs maintenance or repair Fix: clean, repair, replace 3. Unclean dryer or vent Fix: remove lint and debris 4. Overloaded dryer Fix: reduce the size of loads |
| Washing machine | 1. Overloaded machine Fix: reduce the size of the load 2. Ineffective machine Fix: follow user guides; contact professional 3. Stand pipe Fix: unclog; vinegar wash |
| Others | 1. Mould or mildew Fix: vinegar wash; leave appliance doors open to dry out 2. Elastic items Fix: wash separately; hang dry 3. Smelly towels Fix: wash separately; vinegar wash 4. Heavily used clothing Fix: wash separately; vinegar wash 5. Hard water Fix: install a water softener or filter |
Read on to learn more in detail about why laundry can have bad odours and how to remedy the issues.
1. New Dryer Smell
If the bad smell coming from your new tumble dryer smells like chemicals, it is likely releasing volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
These chemicals may be present due to the manufacturing process related to the production of a new dryer.
People can leave natural oils from their hands on the internal parts, and synthetic oils are used to lubricate moving parts.
Additionally, dust that settles onto parts can give off a dusty, burnt smell.
As the dryer is used, it will go through “off-gassing” where it burns off any chemical traces and dust left behind.
What To Do
- Run the dryer on empty for about 15 minutes to dissipate the smell.
- If any laundry has remnants of the odour on it, rewash it.
- If a chemical smell lingers after several uses, contact a service professional, and they can ensure your dryer meets regulatory standards.
2. Dryer Needs Maintenance Or Repair
If a dryer is emitting a smell that is not because it is new, it may need maintenance or repair.
A dryer needs repair if any of the following occur:
- The interior drum does not move, moves haltingly, or turns slowly.
- When you open the dryer, do not feel any heat emanating from the clothing.
- You hear knocks, grating, or other abnormal sounds as it runs.
- You hear a squeaking sound, paired with a burning rubber smell.
Generally speaking these smells, sounds, and issues are a problem associated with the following:
- Something is stuck between the drum and the machine, such as a candy wrapper.
- The dryer needs a new belt or other part replaced.
- Something is stuck in the lint trap or the vent hose.
What To Do
Before doing any repair, the machine should be unplugged and disconnected from its source of energy. Keep in mind that if you repair a dryer yourself you may invalidate the warranty.
A mixture of soap and water can remove sticky items from surfaces.
Lint traps and vent hoses should be completely cleaned out and replaced if necessary.
Repair the belt.
Contact a service professional if needed.
3. Unclean Dryer Or Vent
If the dryer smells without laundry in it, it may be dirty. Residue, debris, and moisture from clothing can leave behind odours. Clogged vents can also create odours.
What To Do
Clean out the lint trap after every cycle. If a lint trap is full it cannot properly remove excess fibres or dry laundry thoroughly.
The heat exchanger should be clean. If it is clogged it will not work efficiently.
If the dryer has moisture in it, wipe it down with a dry towel, and leave the door open so that it can air dry.
Inspect the vent hose to make sure it is not obstructed or bent in a way that prevents airflow.
The wall vent should be free from debris and clean, again allowing air to flow. Inspect the exterior to make sure there are no blockages from bird’s nests, leaves, and so on.
Don’t use dryer sheets. These can leave residue inside your dryer and on the sensor. They can mask smells in laundry, but ultimately the bacteria or odour particles are trapped in the fibres, which eventually allows the smell to come back.
4. Overloaded Dryer
If a tumble dryer is overloaded beyond its weight capacity, it can struggle to fully dry clothes, leaving behind a musty smell.
If you attempt to get more done at once, you’ll likely double your work, since the dryer will take longer to effectively dry the items. Even then, the items may not be dry completely with longer run times.
Overloading a dryer also puts unnecessary strain on it which can potentially reduce its longevity.
What To Do
Refer to your user manual in regards to its weight capacity. While it is not practical to weigh your clothes before drying them, consider reducing the amount you wash in the washing machine.
Split heavier items such as bed linens and towels into smaller loads. This can take a little bit of trial and error as you try to find the ideal load capacity. Less is more in this case.
If an overloaded dryer leaves clothes damp after a cycle, run another cycle, or remove half of the laundry and dry each half separately again.
5. Overloaded Washing Machine
Much like an overloaded dryer, overloading a washing machine typically results in clothes that are not fully clean. This wastes soap, water, and time, and leaves odours on clothing.
What To Do
Refer to your user manual and fill the washing machine to the recommended levels with the right amount of soap.
Towels and bed linens may have different requirements.
If in doubt, opt for smaller loads for both the washing machine and dryer to get them effectively clean and fully dry.
6. Washing Machine Is Ineffective
If a washing machine leaves stains, smells, and soils on clothing, it will spread to your dryer, making it smell.
If you dry clothing with these issues, the heat from the dryer helps them to settle in more permanently into the fibres.
Washing machines may also ineffectively clean clothes if there is not enough water during the washing cycles.
What To Do
Wash clothing and other items according to the label, using the right temperature of water.
Refer to the washing machine’s user guide and laundry soap label about the right amounts of soap to use.
If there is not enough water for cleaning the clothes, the machine’s water level sensor may need adjustment.
If there is an issue with connecting pipes or the function of the machine, contact a service professional.
7. Stinky Stand Pipe
The stand pipe behind a washing machine connects the machine to the wastewater plumbing.
It is designed to drain water at the end of a cycle, prevent overflow, and keep out sewer fumes.
If this is not working as it should, it can create odour problems.
What To Do
There may be a blockage in the stand pipe and needs to be cleared. Blockage or soap scum can allow bacteria to sit or mould or mildew to form. A plumbing professional can assist you, if necessary.
Run an empty washing cycle with 2 cups of vinegar with water at the highest temperature. This will clear out soap scum, bacteria, and more as it drains out through the stand pipe.
8. Mould Or Mildew Is Present
If clothes are fully dry, yet have a musty smell lingering on them, there may be mould or mildew present.
Mould and mildew build up in the presence of excessive, lingering moisture. This can happen with the washing machine or the tumble dryer.
What To Do
Do not let damp items sit for extended periods in either the washing machine or the dryer.
Leave the doors of the machines open after use to let them fully air dry.
Washing Machine Only
If your washing machine has a tray that slides out for soap, leave this pulled out to dry as well.
Rubber seals and gaskets are breeding grounds for mould and mildew. Scrub or replace these if possible. Leaving the door after washing clothing open is the easiest way to get rid of moisture in these spots.
Many people opt for cold water washes, which do not use a temperature that completely gets rid of mould and mildew. Run a service or cleaning cycle on your washing machine every month or so.
This uses hot water to kill off germs and more. Conversely, you can run your washing machine on an empty hot water cycle with a cup of vinegar, which will effectively eliminate mould and mildew.
High-efficiency laundry soaps and laundry sanitisers can also keep washed clothes smelling fresh.
Tumble Dryer Only
The lint trap should be emptied every time in the dryer. Use a vacuum to remove any lingering debris from the trap and the space it inserts into.
Clean the lint trap with equal parts of vinegar and warm water to disinfect it and remove lingering odours. Rinse it clean and allow it to fully dry before inserting it back in.
The dryer vent should be cleaned out 1 or 2 times a year and be free from debris and clogs.
9. Elastic Items Stink
Elastic materials found in clothing items such as bras, sweatpants, and underwear can release a burning, chemical smell if dried in high heat.
What To Do
To determine if elastic is the problem, and not something else that is creating a burning smell, do a sniff test.
Immediately after drying, smell one item with elastic and one without. If they smell the same, there is likely a problem with the dryer.
If the elastic item is much stronger in odour, then it is the issue.
If the dryer is the issue, contact a professional or refer to the suggestions above.
For the clothing, follow the label for washing and drying instructions. If the smell continues, consider allowing the item to hang dry.
10. Smelly Towels
Towels can be a big culprit when it comes to stinky dried items.
Even though towels are hung up after bathing, they stay moist, collecting mildew, mould, and bacteria deep into the fibres.
Using towels to dry off pets can also trap undesired odours. Detergent can also build up within the fibres with repeated washings.
When the fibres of towels are clogged with soap scum and more, they do not dry well.
What To Do
Use a dehumidifier in your bathroom to dry towels out more quickly when they are hanging up. Turn on a bathroom exhaust vent or open a window.
Don’t throw wet towels into a laundry bin unless you intend to wash them right away.
Wash and dry towels separately from all other items. Use hot water and high heat.
Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets on stinky items. This leaves a thin layer of chemicals on the fabric, trapping particles in the fibres and making them less absorbent.
Vinegar And Baking Soda Wash
To eliminate odours from towels, do the following:
- Use one cup of vinegar instead of soap.
- Run a hot water cycle.
- When the washing machine gets to the rinse cycle, add a ½ cup of baking soda.
- Allow the cycle to finish.
- Thoroughly dry the towels on high heat. If they feel damp to the touch, run them through another dryer cycle.
11. Heavily Used Clothing
Much like towels, clothing that is exposed to higher levels of grime or sweat can absorb the odours and debris into the fibres.
If you wash and dry these with other clothing in the washing machine, these odours can transfer to them as well.
What To Do
Do not put sweaty clothes in with the dirty laundry. If you are not going to wash it right away, hang it up to dry it out.
Do not use fabric softener or dryer sheets.
Wash and dry heavily soiled items separately from other regular-use clothing and linens.
Use hot wash and dry cycles if the items can withstand the heat.
Consider using a vinegar and baking soda wash as described above to eliminate odours.
12. Hard Water
Hard water contains odour-causing particles such as minerals and sulphur. These can leave behind odour-causing residue.
What To Do
Install a water filter or softener to your home’s water system to eliminate mineral build-ups.
This is beneficial to the plumbing and the longevity of your washing machine as well.
In Conclusion
The laundry should not smell bad after washing and drying. If your clothes don’t smell fresh, then you should investigate to find the source of the problem.
Generally, if a tumble dryer or washing machine has moisture left in them, mould, bacteria, and mildew can build up.
Items like towels and heavily soiled clothes retain particles deep in their fibres and need more extensive cleaning with vinegar, baking soda, and hot water to get rid of odours.
Avoid overloading a dryer or washing machine to ensure clothing can be fully clean and dry.
Avoid using fabric softener sheets which can change the absorbency of fabric fibres.
If you have taken attempts to eliminate odours and they persist, it is best to call in a service professional to examine the washing machine, plumbing, and dryer for repair issues.