The Virtual Repairman's Appliance Help

[WendyJackson]

We have the above drier and the interior has started to smell FUNKY! Like wet clothes kind of funk. Thought it was the front load washer at first but it is very definitely the drier. Any thoughts or suggestions would be very appreciated! I'm not very handy, but can try what ever to make my clean clothes not go into a drier smelling funky!

Thank you in advance!

Wendy Jackson

[Virtual Repairman]

The reason the dryer smells funky can be two-fold. Since you also have a front-load washer, the smell is likely coming from it and passing thru the dryer. Even if you cannot detect the odor from the washed clothes, the dryer enhances it with the application of heat. Any odors hidden in the wet load will be brought forth during the drying process. I would start with a thorough cleanout of the washer first. This is as simple as adding one tablet of Affresh Cleaner to the machine and following the directions. It will remove the stinky residue from places you cannot see, like behind the spinner basket for example.

It is also a good idea to disassemble the dryer and clean all accumulated lint from the blower intake and exhaust areas. Any such restriction will lead to poor drying and the accumulated lint does begin to smell after a while. Also keep in mind that the vent hose may be squashed back there, compounding the problem. If odors can't leave the dryer efficiently, they stay behind.

I offer some great tips on venting on my main wesite.
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[WendyJackson]

Do you think it's still the washer if the drier smells bad when not running? The clothes smell fine coming out of the washer. The drier hasn't been used all day and the whole wash room is funky smelling with the drier open. Seems to be "in" the drier somewhere.

I can try the tabs, but really smell it only in the drier...even cold!

Thanks! Willing to try...

Wendy

[Virtual Repairman]

Wendy, I just told you a thorough cleaning of the dryer is called for. No matter when the smell started or how, the dryer must be disassembled completely to clean all the nooks and crannies that lint becomes trapped in. Opening the dryer is as simple as reading the instructions in the head of the dryer forum. This link is the one that might help:
Opening the Kenmore dryer

Do some more reading on the forum by using the Search box and typing "odors in the dryer" "smells in the dryer" etc and you will find several articles with info. You would do well to clean the washer to avoid a repeat situation. I see a lot of this every day.

What type of exhaust is on the dryer? Foil duct I bet...
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