I just moved into a 1930s rental house with a musty basement, and I've noticed that my clothes come out of the dryer smelling musty. The basement has a history of dampness, and while the previous tenant unplugged the dehumidifier, it's now running but only cycles on and off with humidity levels around 40-50%. I've noticed that the musty smell is definitely coming from the dryer itself since the clothes smell fine when I take them out of the washer. I've done some cleaning inside the drum, but that hasn't helped at all. I plan to ask my landlord to clean or replace the vent hose since it runs directly outside. I'm wondering if using an ozone machine in the basement could help eliminate the smell, although there aren't any windows to air it out afterward. Any tips on fixing this issue would be appreciated—I don't want to be the "stinky kid" at my new job!
3 Answers
If the air the dryer is taking in is musty due to the basement's condition, that’s likely where your issue lies. To fix this, you’ll need to tackle the source of the smell in the basement itself. Fresh air flow could really help, so talk to your landlord about possibly installing some air exchange vents down there. An ozone machine could also work, but you’ll need to figure out how to air it out after since there’s no airflow in the basement right now.
You should definitely check the dryer duct all the way to the outside and make sure the back of the dryer is cleaned out too. If the humidity is around 40-50%, it shouldn't smell that bad down there. Cleaning out the duct can often solve a lot of smell problems. Hope your landlord's on board with that!
I totally agree, I’m pushing the landlord to clean it out or even replace the duct. The air seems trapped down there without any real ventilation.
It sounds like there might be a clump of lint or some other build-up in your exhaust system, possibly causing the smell. I'd recommend checking from the vent hookup to ensure it's clear all the way outside. If not, you might have to take apart parts of the dryer to find it. Cleaning the lint filter after every load is also key to preventing any future smells.
I hear you and I dislike fabric softeners too, but I can assure you it’s not that smell. I’m definitely asking the landlord to check the vent! I’m looking for additional options too.
We do have a dehumidifier that usually runs, but it seems like there’s no true air exchange system down there. It's tough, plus I’m a bit wary about venting the ozone smell into the living space!