Adding scent boosters to the dryer is an easy mistake to make, especially when you’re in the middle of a monotonous laundry routine. Scent boosters are an excellent way to give your laundry extra fragrance, but they’re only meant to be used in a washing machine.
If you put scent boosters in the dryer, then the beads will melt. When these beads melt, they can cause damage to your clothing and dryer. Molten pieces of scent boosters can attach themselves to your dryer’s drum, clog the lint filter, and cause unpleasant stains on your clothes.
The list of things that can go wrong when you put scent boosters in the dryer is lengthy. But this is a common laundry mishap, so don’t panic! Read on to learn more about what happens when you put scent boosters in the dryer and how you can fix the issues.
Can You Put Scent Boosters in the Dryer?
While scent boosters are a convenient and affordable product for giving your clothes some enhanced fragrance, they aren’t meant to be used in the dryer. Scent booster beads usually have a plastic coating that holds in all the fragrance.
When you put scent boosters in the dryer, the plastic coating on those beads starts to melt because of the heat. As the dryer spins your laundry around, the scent booster beads will melt as they spin, and this will cause quite the mess!
What Happens When You Put Scent Booster Beads in the Dryer?
Scent booster beads will melt when you put them in the dryer. The molten plastic pieces from the beads will often attach themselves to your dryer drum and your clothes. These pieces can also make their way into your dryer ducts, which is a serious fire hazard.
Your lint filter is also likely to get clogged by the melted beads. If you put scent boosters in your dryer, then you’ll need to check all these spots for melted scent booster beads. They’ll be stuck pretty securely to the dryer drum, lint filter, or in the ducts of your dryer, so you’ll need to clean them out carefully to avoid permanently damaging your dryer.
Do Scent Boosters Stain Clothes?
Scent boosters normally won’t stain your clothes. However, if you put them in your dryer and they start to melt, then the melted pieces could attach to your clothes. Melted plastic doesn’t smell or look good on clothes, so make sure you don’t leave the problem for too long!
As soon as you realize you added scent boosters in your dryer, it’s time to do some damage control. Thankfully, it’s not too difficult to clean up the mess left behind by scent boosters in the dryer.
How to Repair Damage Caused by Scent Boosters
The damage caused by scent booster beads in the dryer is usually superficial. Sometimes, if scent boosters are put in the dryers multiple times and no cleaning is done, then it can cause irreparable damage to your dryer. However, if this is a one-time accident, then all you need to do is follow some simple steps to get your dryer and clothes clean.
Any clothes stained by scent boosters should be immediately put back through a wash cycle. This should remove any residue from the scent boosters and prevent the stains from setting. As long as you get to your clothes quickly enough, then there shouldn’t be any leftover stains or melted pits of plastic on your clothes.
Your dryer will require more effort to clean. The first thing you’ll want to do is clean the drum of your dryer. Just follow these easy steps to get your dryer drum clean
- Use a putty knife, butter knife, or other blunt instrument to gently remove any pieces of scent beads adhered to the dryer drum. Pick out the pieces of plastic.
- Fill a bucket or large bowl with warm water and dish soap. A de-greasing dish soap like Dawn works best.
- Dip a soft cloth in the cleaning mixture and wipe the inside of your dryer drum.
- Allow the dryer to air dry.
It’s actually recommended to clean your dryer drum once every few months, so keep these steps in mind for future cleaning!
After cleaning your dryer drum, it’s time to check the lint filter. Any pieces of scent beads stuck on the lint filter should be very easy to scrap off and throw directly into the trash. Use your putty knife or butter knife to help ease any stuck pieces off the lint filter.
The last step is to check your dryer ducts. It’s important to make sure these are clear of any debris for fire safety and to keep your machine working smoothly. If you see any pieces stuck in your dryer drum, use your putty knife to gently scrape them out.
How to Use Scent Boosters?
Scent boosters are very easy to use. Regardless of what brand you’re buying, they all seem to follow the same steps. These are the steps you should follow to use scent boosters
- Shake a little (or a lot) of the scent booster beads into the cap of the scent booster container.
- Toss the beads into the washer.
- Add in your laundry, detergent, and fabric softener.
- Run your load as usual.
Make sure you’re adding your scent boosters in before you add in your clothes or start your load!
What Can You Put in the Dryer to Freshen Clothes?
Since scent booster beads can’t be used in the dryer, you’ll want to look at some alternatives to provide your clothes with an extra boost of freshness during the laundry process. Many people use dryer sheets for this purpose, but they aren’t the only option.
A common DIY method for adding a boost of freshness to your clothes in the dryer is to use a paper towel and essential oil. All you need to do is pick an essential oil that you love, add one or two drops to a bunched-up paper towel, and toss the paper towel in the dryer. This works really well for infusing great fragrances into your clothes, and you only need to use a tiny amount to get a good amount of fragrance.
Another option is dryer balls. These balls are a more eco-friendly way to freshen your clothes in the dryer because they can last for 10 years or more. Most are made of tightly compressed wool, but some may be made of rubber or plastic.
With wool dryer balls, you’ll be able to keep your clothes static-free and smelling great for many years to come. Just add a drop of essential oil to the ball before tossing it in with your laundry and enjoy your scented clothes!
The Verdict – Will Scent Boosters Damage Your Dryer?
Scent boosters can cause some damage to your dryer, especially if the problems become compounded over time. You should never use scent boosters in the dryer and, if you happen to toss in some beads by accident, make sure you follow our steps to clean your dryer thoroughly.
If you’re looking for a way to add some freshness to your clothes during the drying process, try dryer balls for an eco-friendly and effective option!
Jamie is the Founder of My Home Dwelling. He is a homeowner and enjoys sharing his homeowner tips with others. He has real estate experience working as a new home construction Realtor. Jamie has worked on numerous residential construction sites helping with interior and exterior renovations. He loves refinishing furniture, DIY home projects, and sharing his knowledge online.