How to Get the Burnt Smell Out of Your Dryer

A plastic fork or zippered sandwich bag will melt under the extreme heat generated by the dryer, leaving behind a burnt odor that makes your clothing sticky and stinks up your home. Clean the dryer drum with inexpensive household products to eliminate the unwanted burnt odor.

1. Examine the dryer’s metal drum for any melted plastic. If there is melted plastic, run the dryer for 10 to 20 minutes on high heat to soften the plastic. Scrape away the pliable plastic with a plastic paint scraper.

2. Create a mixture of 3/4 cup of oxygen bleach, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 gallon of warm water. Stir the water until the powdered oxygen bleach completely dissolves.

3. Dampen a microfiber cloth with the oxygen bleach solution, and wipe down the dryer’s metal drum, working the solution into any residue left by the melted plastic.

4. Dry the metal drum with a microfiber cloth, and allow the dryer door to remain open for one to two hours. This allows air flow to enter the dryer, eliminating any remaining odors.

5. Throw one or two scented dryer sheets into the unit. Run the dryer on medium-heat for 10 to 15 minutes. The dryer sheet eliminates any lingering odors and leaves behind a light, pleasant aroma.