Help me deep clean my tumble dryer

[PinkPlantCase]

I have tried so many things to stop the tumble dryer from smelling musty. Our current regime is emptying the lint from the top and bottom filter every time, leaving the bottom filter open (otherwise this stays damp all the time) and emptying the water every time and leaving the water container out of the machine when not in use. We also use dryer sheets which cover up any musty smells that the tumble dryer does leave on clothes. This generally works and our clothes don’t smell but I feel like the underlying problem is still there.

In the past on different occasions I’ve tried cleaning it with anti bac spray, water and a micro fibre cloth and vinegar.

We have a new baby on the way and it makes me so sad to put the newborn clothes in the stinky tumble dryer, I would also prefer not to have to use the dryer sheets on them. They aren’t over scented but I really dislike artificial smells in general and they can’t be great for newborn skin. I could dry them all on an airer but that isn’t practical for us long term. I have a toddler aswell, it takes too much time, we will be using reusable nappies, I don’t want a damp problem and we don’t have the space to have the airer up all the time.

The dryer is only about 2/3 years old, no longer in warranty and is condenser type with a heat pump. The main part I can’t clean is the heat pump grille bit behind the bottom filter. It stays damp in there most of the time, hence why we now leave the door to open open when not in use to help it dry out.

Anyone have any ideas for what else we can do?

I have a suspicion that the eco setting isn’t helping too so I’ve taken to using a higher temp one but DH still uses eco if he puts it on 🙄

What make and model is it?
I have a condensing TD that is a lot older and I have never had that problem, and I don’t do any of what you do.
I empty the water container when the light comes on, very occasionally we pull the grill thing out and clean it but that’s it!

Have you tried leaving the TD door ajar when not in use?

Do you smell it and others don't?
I know there are things certain people can/can't taste depending on genetics (and smell is pretty similar). Or does your DH pick it up too?

We leave the main door open too!

It’s this one, wasn’t cheap.

https://ao.com/product/ntm1182xbuk-hotpoint-activecare-heat-pump-tumble-dryer-white-60353-126.aspx?ef_id=EAIaIQobChMI5f6O2M2RggMVGdntCh01Swi0EAQYASABEgI80vD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!8149!3!!!!x!!&&utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=shopping%20-%20mda%20-%20tumble%20dryers%20-%20performance%20max%7Cshopping%20-%20mda%20-%20tumble%20dryers%20-%20performance%20max&utm_term=smartshopping%7CNTM1182XBUK_WH&utm_content=%7Cpaidpla&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADmq13-SIGZHHO1v4udC1RBgNFxW8&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5f6O2M2RggMVGdntCh01Swi0EAQYASABEgI80vD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

I am definitely more sensitive to smells than other people but before we got on top of it it really made our clothes smell, that was in the summer and there was a big difference between clothes that had been line or tumble dryed. DH could smell it then. I’m not sure how much he notices it now.

Never heard of a tumble dryer smelling, but you could try those fragranced sheets that you put in there with the washing. If you're already doing that, then I can't imagine what smells. I leave the door a bit ajar.

(Scratches head) Leave a bowl of bicarb and a cut lemon in it overnight or something?
Fwiw we now mainly use a dehumidifier in a small room with the clothes on a drying rack but that's not practical for everyone.

maybe work through some of the suggestions here?

https://www.inyourarea.co.uk/news/mrs-hinch-fans-share-game-changing-tumble-dryer-hack-to-stop-clothes-smelling-musty/#

Can you plumb it it so the water goes straight out to the waste pipe?

Okay, here’s the manual. There are 3 ? things to clean after each cycle. it seems you are already doing them. Do you hoover the thing they say to hoover too?

https://www.manuals.co.uk/hotpoint/nt-m11-82xb-uk/manual?p=3

Congratulations on your little one to be, but I too am wondering if this is a smell that is affecting you because you are pregnant and if you will stop noticing it once your baby is born.

Obviously if DH can smell it too, that theory is out of the window.

The newer dryers are very energy efficient and the eco setting takes forever because it’s pretty much cold air.
Just blast everything on highest heat for a week or two and see if it makes a difference. I’m surprised your actual device is damp after use though - that doesn’t sound right.

I don't have any advice as mine has never smelt - sorry.

But wanted to say be careful when tumble drying baby clothes as they can shrink so easily. I've always dried baby clothes on an airer or washing line and saved the tumble dryer for adult clothes/bedding.

I have an Electra condensing tumble dryer, now 22 years old. It's still in use and has never smelled. Like another poster, I wonder if its the low heat.

How very odd. Have you tried a short spray of Oust odour neutraliser?

I've never had a tumble dryer that smelled, are you sure it's not broken in some way? Where would a smell be produced in the drying process?

You haven't got a dead mouse in the works somewhere have you?

I had a condensor dryer and had no problems but my new heat pump dryer has the same problem.
The samsung technicians said if it is plumbed in make sure the waste pipe is not higher than the washing machine waste pipe and is not high up. I clean the bottom filter regularly as it can stay wet. I always dry clothes to extra dry and leave the dòor open after use
I can sympathise op as i wanted to send mine back

Does yours have a second filter (not the lint filter you clean every cycle)

On mine its lower down next to the vent and needs taking out and washing

I have a Samsung condenser dryer and suffer the same problem as you!
not sure why though🤷‍♀️.
Like you, I use tumble dryer sheets
found the Waitrose essential ones much nicer than lenor.
I have no answer, it’s frustrating!!

Check the bits in between the filet and the bottom
So stuck you hand or something thing and long/brush down in the the space under the filter by the main door to the dryer

When you pull out the bottom filter stick your arm/hand all the way to the back ( wearing a rubber glove ) and rub the back and see what your hand picks up. Sometimes lots of lint and even the odd sock can get stuck in these parts. God knows how but they do. Also move the dryer if you can and check the back of it
There's sometimes more drainage at the back

Thanks all, perhaps is it’s just an issue with particularly energy efficient heat pump dryers.

I have cleaned literally every part of it I I can get my hands on. Including both filters. Pulling it out and seeing if there’s any pipes at the back I can disconnect and clean is a good idea. As is seeing if I can keep it running hot for a few weeks to see if that just sorts it once and for all.

@RallyRallyAppreciateIt the part that is says to vacuum is the bit that says a bit wet so vacuuming it doesn’t really work. I did once try drying it off with a hair dryer before vacuuming it but that isn’t particularly practical.

Interestingly it has only smelt since I’ve been pregnant 🤣 so maybe I am also more sensitive to it.

I think it's heat pump dryers as mine gets musty too. I've not found a solution yet though unfortunately

I did some more digging about the different settings, I was trying to work out which was the highest temperature.

The anti allergy setting is apparently designed to kill bacteria with heat so I’m going to use that for a few cycles and hopefully that fixes it. I realised that I can’t use the dryer sheets with the reusable nappies as I think they have fabric softener on so it’ll make them less absorbent so hopefully nuking the dryer a few times with anti allergy sorts the problem.

Downside is that the dryer says this is a 5 hour cycle 🙈🙈