A dryer in good working condition shouldn't emit strange smells. If your dryer smells like it's burning, stop using it right away—you've got a fire hazard on your hands!
Too Much Lint Buildup
Lint is a combination of soap, clean fibers, and dirt that collects on clothing, so it is not clean. If the lint filter is full each time you dry, this blocks airflow and causes mildew to start growing. This unusual odor that develops may be what you are smelling from your dryer.
A new dryer is likely to release some odd smells. The dryer's inside cabinet gets very hot during operation, and the components used in the manufacture of appliances may contain a bit of oil or coatings that will off-gas off during the first several uses.
Clogged Lint Filter: Make sure you really clean it as described. Charred Lint: This will give a burnt smell to the air that the dryer pulls in and may even make all your clothes smell like they've been near a not very nice campfire. Use a vacuum to clean as recommended.
The first thing we want to tell you is: don't panic! It is common to see the vent inside your dryer (usually located towards the back) become a black-ish hue, almost as if there's burn residue on it. This little vent is called a heat inlet grille.
How Do You Know if the Dryer is Too Hot? The tell-tale sign that your dryer is too hot is damage to your clothes. If you pull your clothes out of the dryer and notice that there are burn marks on them, your dryer is running far too hot. If your dryer is hot to the touch, that may be another sign of too much heat.
However, one thing is for sure: a burning smell is a sign of a dryer you should not be using.
The Belt Might Be Slipping
Dryer belts don't last forever. As they begin to wear over time they may start to slip. This is one of the most common causes of that burning smell you may be faced with. If the drum in your dryer stops spinning, there's a good chance that a worn belt is a reason.
What is the average life of a dryer, you wonder? Ten years, according to Consumer Reports; however, some dryer manufacturers boast up to a 25-year lifespan. It's important to remember, though, that clothes dryer life expectancy goes hand in hand with how often the dryer is used and how well you maintain the appliance.
A burning smell coming from your dryer is not a good sign—it's a fire hazard. Try removing any built up lint from the lint catcher, cleaning the inside of the dryer, and/or cleaning the hose duct and vents. If the smell persists, you may need to check the electrical components inside the dryer and have them replaced.
If your vents are full of lint, they won't be able to circulate air properly, and this can cause odors to build up in your dryer. Buildup of laundry detergent or fabric softener: These products can cause a foul smell that will linger and make it so your dryer smells bad when running.
Are you wondering, “Why does my dryer smell bad?” That odor emanating from your dryer is usually due to lint that has accumulated in the lint trap.
Clothes dryer fires are more common than you might think. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that dryers and washing machines cause an average of 15,970 fires each year, with dryers causing 92% of them and an average of $200 million in property damage.
Additionally, you may notice a burning smell, or notice that your clothes and the outside of the dryer are too hot. If you notice any of these symptoms, or suspect that the airflow may be obstructed, stop the dryer immediately, unplug it, and check the duct and vent when they have had a chance to cool.
Fires can occur when lint builds up in the dryer or in the exhaust duct. Lint can block the flow of air, cause excessive heat build-up, and result in a fire in some dryers.
If you can smell a burning smell coming from your dryer, then you need to immediately turn your dryer off so you can investigate what the cause is. Thankfully, it is quite straightforward to check out all of the main causes, such as a buildup of lint, a faulty thermostat, a broken dryer belt, or a faulty motor.
Belt friction: if the smell coming from your washing machine smells like burning rubber and your machine is not agitating or spinning, the issue could be caused by the belt. The belt could be rubbing against the washer tub, causing the burn smell. You can check the belt to see if there is any fraying or splitting.
Being a certified electrician comes with a few common things. One of those questions we receive often is; what does an electrical fire smell like? An electrical fire smell is often described as a “burning plastic” smell.
Once a dryer gets too hot, this component reacts to the increased temperature and shuts the appliance off automatically. However, if a cycling thermostat isn't functioning, it may be why a clothing dryer is overheating and shuts off.
Once the heat reaches a certain level, the thermostat will interrupt the electrical connection so the air will cool down. If the thermostat is malfunctioning, the machine can overheat and trip the thermal fuse. Once this occurs, the dryer will not start.
A dryer vent clogged with lint or other obstructions will force the dryer to work harder, causing the unit to overheat. When too much heat builds up in your dryer, lint or debris in the dryer vent line can ignite, resulting in a dryer fire. The overheat shutoff is the dryer's last attempt to prevent a fire.
While dryer lint may be an effective fire starter, it is not a safe one and should never be used to start a fire in your fireplace. Dryer lint contains toxic chemicals that release when burned and can put your family and your home at risk.
Greasy or oily items. 'Items that are heavily soiled with oil or grease should not be put in the dryer. These can cause damage to the dryer's heating element and even start a fire,' Marv cautions. This could be rags you have used while cleaning, especially from cleaning an oven or in a garage.