The moldy smell in your dryer could be a result of leaving wet clothes in the dryer too long or built-up lint that has become damp and moldy. It’s best to get rid of the moldy smell before the dryer begins to transfer the smell to your clean clothes.
1. Pull out the dryer’s lint screen. Pull the lint off the screen and wipe it with a dry rag to remove remaining lint. Use your vacuum hose attachment to vacuum out the lint trap. Replace the lint screen.
2. Mix 1 cup of bleach with a gallon of warm water. Dip a rag into the mixture and wring it thoroughly. Wipe the inside of the dryer drum with the bleach mixture. Wipe the inside of the door as well. Leave the door open so the dryer can air dry. The bleach kills any mold living on the surface of the drum. After it dries, rinse the inside of the drum with a cloth dampened with plain water, and let it air dry again. Don’t put clothes in the dryer until the bleach has dried completely, or it can cause discoloration on clothes.
3. Pour white vinegar in a spray bottle, then spray to dampen a few towels with the vinegar. Put the towels in the dryer and run a drying cycle. The vinegar is an efficient odor reducer, so it can help remove the moldy smell. Wash the towels afterward so they don’t smell like vinegar when you’re ready to use them.