Burnt-smelling clothes isn’t the aroma you were going for when you dried your laundry! You were hoping for Tropical Paradise, not Essence of Exhaust.
So, why do clothes smell burnt after they’ve gone through the dryer? Find out below.
Note: One or multiple causes listed below could be at the heart of your smelly issue.
Cause 1: Build-Up of Lint in the Dryer
Lint is the highly flammable stuff that comes off your laundry as it dries. Lint is a hazard and must be cleaned away.
If lint isn’t removed from a dryer, the hot air inside the machine will push the lint around, and eventually, it’ll get stuck in the interior components of the appliance. If the debris lands on the heating element, it’ll give off a burning smell.
Solution
You should remove and clean the lint filter after every use. This will limit the build of lint inside the machine.
In addition, ensure that the rest of the appliance is free from lint residue. Clear the trap’s slot, drum, and door. Then, remove the dryer’s back panel and vacuum out the rogue lint. Use the vacuum cleaner’s crevice tool to clean out smaller areas.
Cause 2: Malfunctioning Dryer Thermostat
The thermostat regulates the temperature inside the tumble dryer. If the machine gets too hot, the thermostat sends a signal to shut down the appliance.
When the thermostat fails, it can’t regulate the temperature inside the machine. Consequently, the motor continues to run even though it’s maxed out and the temperature inside the appliance rises.
Naturally, the tumble dryer’s components overheat under pressure. They give off a burning smell, and this gets passed onto the laundry inside the drum.
A key tell-tale sign of a dying thermostat is the smell of electrical wires burning.
Solution
To fix a broken thermostat, you will need to call an engineer. They will replace the defective thermostat with a new one. While you’re waiting for the repair to take place, don’t use your tumble dryer.
Cause 3: Damaged Parts Within the Dryer
As you use your tumble dryer, general wear and tear issues will pop up.
The belt that turns the drum may slip off and will rub up against other components in the dryer. This friction can cause a burning smell inside the machine, which can be passed onto the laundry in the appliance.
Similarly, a motor will wear out with time, and if it is continuously put under pressure, it will start to smoke. This smell can then be passed on to the clothes in the drum.
These issues are not uncommon. They do, however, need to be rectified quickly.
A tell-tale sign is the smell of burning rubber.
Solution
You need to get the belt and motor replaced.
You may be able to fix the belt yourself, but a new motor will need to be replaced by an engineer.
In the worst case, buying a new tumble dryer may be more cost-effective, especially if the repair work is going to be expensive!
Cause 4: Blockages in the Dryer
If there are blockages in the machine or around the vents, airflow will be restricted. This could be caused by anything from a buildup of lint to general gunk like dryer sheets, clothes, sweets and wrappers.
If hot air can’t travel around effectively, it won’t have anywhere to go. Consequently, the dryer will get hotter and hotter.
This then puts needless strain on the machine’s inner workings, and you end up with a burning smell coming from the appliance. In turn, this odour transfers to the clothes.
In addition, blockages in the machine can also rub up against the innermost parts of the appliance. This can also lead to friction and excess heat being created, which ultimately leads to a burning smell.
Solution
Ensure the vents are cleaned out regularly. And remove blockages so they don’t hinder how the tumble dryer works.
Cause 5: The Clothes You’ve Dried Smell Funky
Sometimes, the tumble dryer isn’t to blame; the stains on the clothes you’re drying are at fault.
Not all dirt can be cleaned away with regular detergent (for example, gasoline, paint thinner and mineral spirits), meaning their residue is left on garments as they enter the dryer.
When these outfits get tumbled around in a hot appliance, the heat aggravates the product residue on the clothes and an intense burning odour is released.
Given that the products listed above are highly flammable, you should avoid putting them in a tumble dryer.
Solution
Ensure you pre-treat your heavily stained clothes before washing them, and then wash them using a strong detergent.
If you know an outfit has come into contact with a flammable product, you should keep it away from the dryer, even if you’ve been extra thorough with cleaning! Line-dry the clothes instead.
Cause 6: Tumble Dryer Is New and Needs Time to Bed In
If you’ve just bought your tumble dryer, you may notice that your clothes smell smoky. Don’t fret too much about this because new dryers tend to off-gas.
This off-gassing typically goes after a few drying sessions and is usually not a sign of a significant problem with the appliance.
In most cases, the aroma is just a sign that the new machine’s parts are warming up and starting to work.
Couple this with the appliance trying to burn off any residual oils and greases used during the manufacturing process, and you’ll end up with quite the stink. But as mentioned, this is normal and isn’t something to worry about.
Solution
Use your machine to eliminate the smells. The odour will go away after a few cycles. You can also clean your tumble dryer using some mild cleaning solutions.
If the smell doesn’t disappear after a few weeks or you see signs of scorching or smoke, you should ring the manufacturer and ask them to come and assess the machine. The appliance may not be fit for purpose.
What to Do If the Burning Aroma Persists
If you’ve checked your tumble dryer and fixed the problems listed above but the burning smell is still present, call an engineer out to look at your machine.
You can either source your own engineer or, if your product is still under warranty, call the manufacturer, and they can advise you further.
Just take note of the costs involved, including any hidden ones, ask plenty of questions so you know what’s going on, take note of the preventative measures listed, and check the credentials/reviews of the person doing the work.
How to Prevent a Burning Smell in a Tumble Dryer
A burning aroma is not really a good sign. So, stop the odour in its tracks by doing the following:
- Clean the lint trap out after every use.
- Remove noticeable grime from the machine at the end of each cycle.
- Ensure the whole tumble dryer is cleaned regularly. This includes the drum, vents, seal, lint trap, inside the lint trap, door, clean the hose (if applicable), and empty the water tank (if applicable).
- Make sure the machine has sufficient airflow.
- Clean around the dryer as well as inside it. Dusty floors can cause havoc!
- Keep an eye on the machine. Check it over regularly.
- Fix issues as soon as they appear.
- Don’t overuse or overload the tumble dryer. This can put a strain on the appliance.
How Do You Remove a Burnt Smell from Laundry?
If your clothes smell whiffy after a drying session, try the following:
- Rewash the laundry.
- Use a scent booster in the wash.
- Add half a cup of bicarbonate of soda to the wash to absorb smells.
- Pop the laundry on the line for a few hours. The fresh air will help to remove lingering smoky odour.
- Ensure the dryer is clean and dry the laundry alongside scented dryer sheets.
- Refresh clothes without actually washing them using a refreshing spray, like Chinti & Parker’s Garment Refresher, or create a homemade one using vodka/essential oil/white vinegar and water.
Why Does the Tumble Dryer Smell Like Burning Hair?
The most common cause is that lint and hair are trapped inside the machine.
If a tumble dryer isn’t cleaned effectively, a build-up of hair and lint will move throughout the machine and head towards the machine’s heating element. Consequently, the hair and lint will get singed when they make contact with the component. Hence the burning hair smell.
To ensure this doesn’t happen, you must clean the tumble dryer thoroughly and regularly to stop the build-up of dirt.
What Should You Do If the Tumble Dryer Smells of Smoke?
If your tumble dryer starts to smell smoky, you should stop using it immediately.
You should turn the machine off, unplug it, check it over, remove the clothes from the drum, and then call an engineer and have them come out and assess the machine for you.
Don’t use the appliance until an engineer has been out to check and fix it.
Bethan has a passion for exploring, reading, cooking and gardening! When she’s not creating culinary delights for her family, she’s concocting potions to keep her house clean!
