My new dryer came with a box of scented dryer sheets inside. I have allergies. It has contaminated the whole dryer and my first load has caused me serious problems. How do I remove this odor from my machine?
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I would wipe it out with vinegar. It should neutralize the odor.
I want to thank everyone for their assistance. I put a vinegar wet wash cloth in the dryer and it worked. The dryer I got the installer handed me the dryer sheets. The store sample didn't have dryer sheets in it. My machine was fresh out of the box. It has been 13 years since my last appliance purchase and even though I went through a different store that time I believe I had the same issue.
Thanks for the update! Good to know the vinegar worked and did no damage. It would have been bad if it had invalidated the warranty! Companies need to be more sensitive to allergies.
Building on what Judy posted, I might even try soaking a clean rag towel in vinegar and "drying it" on low. Good luck! (And you might think about complaining to the seller...you never know, it might get you a gift certificate or coupon or something to compensate for your inconvenience and health threat.)
complaining isn't going to help. I tried 13 years ago and they are still doing the same thing. For those of you worried about the warranty Vinegar would never do any kind of damage to the machine. I often add vinegar to my laundry to remove odors. It is the oldest form of freshener. It is the oil in the fabric sheets that would damage the machine. Scents are oil based for those who don't know.
Wash or wet something down with vinegar water and dry for at least 15 minutes.
It appears your allergies are very sensitive to this fragrance and since you have used the dryer you may have to go a little further than a wipe down.
If you can unplug the dryer you can spray the inside of the drum with a spray bottle filled with white vinegar - leave door open and let it dry overnight - wipe down with another cloth with vinegar dipped and squeegeed out just to be sure.
If you cannot unplug your dryer then wipe your drum with white vinegar cloth or lemon juice and water (fresh or bottled concentrate) (maybe half and half solution).
Be sure to wipe the gasket also.
Remove your lint trap and wash it with white vinegar and wipe around the opening as this will help remove the odor when the dryer is running.
I would also add 1-2 cups of white vinegar to every rinse load of clothes for several wash loads (or forever).
Yikes!! That is scary. Allergies are so worrisome!
Before you touch the new dryer, I suggest calling the company ASAP. My fear is you are going to use internet advice to clean it and may do damage then void the warranty. Company's are ruthless these days, so safety first here. If you did something and did damage, you could be out of luck here and have no warranty.
Tell them what happened, explain your reaction, if you have photos, include them (if doing this by email).
As them what they will do to make it right and what they recommend so you don't invalidate the warranty to fix this problem. I am of the mind they should get you a new, untainted dryer....but that is just me.
I would not do anything before talking to the company. They should also be aware NOT to put stuff in the dryer when shipping to new owners and if they want to include promo items, send them in a separate bag.
Post back with an update!
I can understand what Pghgirl is saying but I do not believe cleaning with vinegar would be detrimental to a warranty.
Certainly, it is good advice to call the dealer where purchased but I can tell you for sure, they will not have a dryer that does not have the package inside as the manufacturer will most likely have a contract/deal with the dryer sheet company that states "every dryer will be equipped with our package" when leaving the plant.
But - the company could possibly have a service man clean a dryer before it is used and make an exchange but I do not believe that will be covered in any warranty so it would just be a courtesy to the customer should they do this..
It may be possible the store would think the customer had looked inside the dryer before purchase and IF the dryer sheet package was inside, the customer should have said something at that time.
I believe if she did see the package, she probably had no idea it would cause this much trouble for her.
Since it is new; and if the company will not exchange it, then it seems possible she can remove the fragrance but I feel sure it will take several cleanings.
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