Sick of That Mildew Stink? 5 Pro Dryer Cleaning Methods

Finding your clothes emerging from the dryer with a nasty mildew stench can be incredibly frustrating. Not only are your dryer-fresh clothes now unusable, but that overpowering mildew smell seems to linger for days. Fortunately, there are several professional-grade cleaning methods you can use to banish mildew odors and leave your dryer fresh.

With some elbow grease and cleaning products likely already under your sink, you can destinkify your dryer and prevent future mildew smells.

Symptoms of Mildew in Your Dryer

How can you actually tell if the foul smells emerging from your dryer are from mildew versus general stinkiness? Here are a few clear signs your dryer has a mold issue:

• Musty, earthy smell
• Visible black or gray mold growth on drum or door seal
• It takes longer for wet loads to dry
• Clothes still have a lingering damp smell after a full cycle

If your clothes have that telltale mildew stench upon removal, it's definitely time for some dryer cleaning and deodorizing.

Causes of Mildew Odor in Dryers

Mildew thrives in damp, humid environments with poor airflow. Unfortunately, dryers can be the optimal breeding ground. Here's how mildew takes hold inside your dryer:

• Leaving wet clothes sitting for too long before drying
• Failure to regularly clean lint screen
• Clogged dryer vent hose
• High ambient humidity in laundry room

Following the cleaning regimens outlined below coupled with tweaking a few usage habits can help eliminate current mildew buildup and prevent it from returning.

Method 1: Clean the Lint Filter

Lint buildup doesn't just impede airflow--it also collects moisture. Start your dryer refresh by deep cleaning the lint filter housing and chute.

Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Turn off and unplug dryer before servicing
2. Carefully remove lint filter screen
3. Rinse filter under hot tap water while scrubbing with an old toothbrush
4. Use the narrow nozzle on your vacuum to suck out lint in the chute and vent
5. Reinstall cleaned lint screen securely before using machine

Get into all the nooks and crannies around the lint screen housing using your vacuum crevice tool. Having a clean lint channel will improve airflow greatly.

Method 2: Clean Dryer Drum & Door with Soap & Bleach

Now it's time to tackle the interior of the machine where mildew growth occurs. This two-step process uses household cleaners to scrub away grime and disinfect.

Soap Cleaning Solution

Mix warm water and a small squirt of liquid dish soap or laundry detergent in a spray bottle. Thoroughly saturate the inside of the drum, door, seal, and other reachable crevices. Let it soak for 15 minutes before wiping away all moisture with a clean microfiber cloth.

Bleach Disinfecting Solution

In another spray bottle, mix 3/4 cup bleach into 1 gallon of warm water. Spray the bleach solution liberally on all interior surfaces--drum, door, gaskets, corners. Allow to sit for 5 minutes. Use a clean rag to wipe the bleach mix off surfaces, rinsing rag in fresh water as needed. Last, grab a new wet rag to remove any bleach film residue.

Once done, run an empty drying cycle to remove any lingering moisture before adding clothes.

Method 3: Clean Dryer with Vinegar

While bleach kills mold and mildew, it can leave behind its own chemical smell. Vinegar provides a non-toxic cleaning alternative. As an acid, vinegar dissolves mineral deposits and kills organisms like mold and bacteria.

Here's how to put the power of vinegar to work in your smelly dryer:

1. In a spray bottle, mix equal parts white vinegar and warm water
2. Soak several old towels in the vinegar solution
3. Add soak towels to dryer and start a drying cycle
4. Check if mildew smell improved; repeat as needed

The heat from the dryer activates the vinegar to deep cleanse the interior. For extreme mildew odor, repeat this process 2-3 cycles.

Method 4: Deodorize Dryer with Baking Soda

Have some stubborn mildew smells still lingering? Baking soda can help absorb and neutralize them. As a natural deodorizer and odor neutralizer, baking soda pulls smells out of surfaces and the air itself.

Here's how to leverage baking soda in your malodorous dryer:

• Wet an old towel under the faucet then spread baking soda atop it
• Toss the wet, baking soda-coated towel in the dryer
• Run an empty drying cycle to activate the baking soda cleaning magic
• Check if smell improved; repeat process if needed

The heat from the dryer transforms the baking soda into odor-eliminating carbon dioxide molecules. Pretty neat dryer deodorizer science!

Method 5: Clean the Dryer Vent Hose

If your dryer still emits a mildewy smell after cleaning the interior drum and components, the problem could lie deeper in the appliance's venting system.

After reattaching the hose, secure connections with metal clamps. Make sure to plug the dryer back in so it's ready for mildew-free action!

Prevention Tips

Employ these preventative measures moving forward to avoid recurring mildew odor:

• Keep dryer properly vented outside
• Clean lint filter after every use
• Allow wet laundry ample air dry time
• Avoid using dryer sheets
• Use a dehumidifier in laundry room
• Leave dryer door open after using
• Run appliance on high heat setting

Mildew loves moisture. By keeping your dryer inhospitable for mold growth, you can avoid stinky surprises in the future.

As you discovered firsthand, mildew smells seem to overtake a dryer, making every load unwearable. By using a combination of thorough scrubbing, vinegar, and baking soda, you can banish that stench for good.

Employ these pro-grade cleaning methods at the first whiff of mildew odors from your dryer. Couple these solutions with smart prevention methods to keep your clothes and linens stink-free for the long haul!