Help - bird died in my dryer!

[MickeyMonstersMom]

After returning from WDW a week ago, of course I had laundry to do. During the third load I hear scratching from the dryer vent pipe. I stop the laundry and call a pest control company; the guy comes out, taps the pipe, and says the bird is gone, so I resume laundry. Three days later I open the dryer door to an unmistakable odor and a layer of flies around the inside of the dryer. I call the pest control people back; the owner comes out but says the carcass is now inside the works of the dryer and he is not qualified to take it apart.

The dryer repairman is coming today, but I'm still completely grossed out at the thought of drying my clothes in there. I can't afford (or even justify) buying a new dryer, so I have to somehow disinfect this one before I can use it again. Any suggestions?

 

[ELLE-TN]

Man that really stinks - no pun intended. Sorry for the problem this is creating for you.

My husband put a small piece of screen over our dryer vent to keep birds from coming up it. We have to go out and clean it off occassionally but it works.

Good luck!

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Correction: turns out it was a mouse. I'm on my way to the hardware store to buy a new vent screen/end/thing that will not only discourage any further exploration, but also let the dryer vent more efficiently. (Blessing in disguise??!) I think I'll also get some Lysol to saturate the inside of the dryer with, and then run it on a cool air setting for a bit. Thanks, Elle, for the thoughts.

 

[MaryAnnDVC]

Oh, dear Lord, that can happen??? I need to discuss this with my DH.

Good luck to you. {{{shudder}}}

 

[ead79]

Yikes! I think your idea of buying a good new screen is a good one. We just bought a house and had to replace that part to avoid the animal issue too.

Perhaps you could call the dryer company to see what they recommend to disinfect it. I wouldn't think that Lysol would be enough. The problem with most cleaning products is that they have to sit on the surfact for several minutes to be effective.

 

[JR6ooo4]

What type of dryer is it. Gas or electric?
If it is electric you must unplug it before using any liquid cleaner. Dryers are 220 volts and will kill.

If it is gas then be careful about moving it, making sure the flexible connection does not break.

As far as the mouse, was it black or grey. One is an inside mouse the other is an outside mouse. chances are about even that he crawled in the dryer from inside the home, not from outside...

Luckily it was a mouse. Much less fluids to clean up. Even the smallest bird can be double the size of a mouse.

Mikeeee

 

[Handbag Lady]

Oh, ew.

I am so sorry!

I would just throw it away and save my pennies for a new one.

Line drying is so much more green these days anyway. And just think of how much longer your clothes will last...

 

[Micca]

Oh, ew.

I am so sorry!

I would just throw it away and save my pennies for a new one.

Line drying is so much more green these days anyway. And just think of how much longer your clothes will last...

Isn't it difficult to clothes-pin their tails to the line?

 

[MickeyMonstersMom]

Update: the repairman said that I didn't need to worry about bacteria or odor because it was in the outgoing portion of the dryer, but I still sprayed it liberally with Lysol, including the lint trap, and let it sit for several minutes. The smell lingered for a day or so (I'll never be able to use that scent of Lysol again after having it mingle with the mouse smell), but I ran a load of old towels just to see how it would work out and there was no odor. Whew! I still get the creeps about the whole thing, but am glad that I can still use the dryer!