Now Im afraid to use it, worried it might start a fire. For the most part, the burning plastic smell is more of a warning sign, and you should use this to help you investigate. Included is: What are you waiting for? When you first turn the heater on after an extended period, the dust on the element can smell like burning. Air conditioners are another potential source of a burning rubber smell in your home. If the burnt rubber smell occurs soon after you have turned on the dishwasher, open the door. Furthermore, several people feel burning sensations that lead to breathing problems, wheezing, or coughing. When the scent originates near appliances you run at night, such as the dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, or air conditioner, it could indicate an overheated device. The burning of old tires, garbage, and other waste may create a burning rubber smell. Even though an electrical fault did not cause the fire, I would reiterate if you smell burning, ring the fire brigade straight away! You should never ignore the smell of something burning, especially something that smells like burning rubber. Often things like elements can overheat, causing a burning plasticsmell. Did your recent upgrades in your home include new flooring or any other job that necessitated new paint? Frayed or overloaded wires can produce a burnt rubber odor, and it can indicate a serious electrical problem. What To Do Right Now If Your House Smells Like Burning Plastic Have you ever encountered a scenario where you suddenly sniff a burning smell, mainly a dusty burning odor? Eventually, the system can accumulate so much heat repeatedly that the heat exchanger can crack, which can allow carbon monoxide to leak into your home. If you find thesourceof the problem, switch it off immediately and call an expert, do not try to fix the problem yourself unless youarefully qualified to do so. On his retirement, he started a remodeling and home repair business, which he ran for several years. These days there are seemingly endless ways to brew a cup of coffee in the morning. Sometimes, if the wiring is old, the home will have a burning plastic smell until the wiring can be replaced. Most of todays dryers have an internal thermostat that will shut the machine off if it gets too hot. The wood that you use for your fireplace or wood burner should be dried out for several years if possible. Burning rubber smells are mostly associated with something overheating. However, its odor is not toxic. I know whatitslike tohave thisproblem: ourhouse smelt rank! Smelling burning plastic in a car can be a worry, anda few different factors may cause it. MUST READ: Best Air Purifiers for Kitchen Smells That Actually Work. In some cases, your house smells like burning rubber if wires are overloaded, and that can lead to an electrical fire. Get an electrician to check over any TVs,computers,dishwashers, washingmachines, tumble driers, fridgefreezers,and lamps to ensure they are in good working order. How to Remove Carpet Padding from a Wood Floor, How to Get Rid of Thousand-Leggers Without Getting Grossed Out, How to Floor Your Attic for Storage Without Wrecking Your Roof, Amp Up Your Homes Curb Appeal and Web Appeal in a Weekend, Stop a Basement that Leaks After Heavy Rain: 3 Easy Steps, How to Stop Sump Pump Filling After Heavy Rain. Detergent cannot remove all types of solvents, including gasoline, mineral spirits, and paint thinner, so if youve washed clothes stained with these products, the heat from the dryer can release strong odors. With a water heater, you will need to check on it from time to time to ensure it is functioning. All rights reserved. It's very strong and seems to only be on one side of the home, in one particular part. Smelling burning rubber may have saved Vista woman from first-floor A dryer that isnt correctly maintainedor one that was never properly installedcould cause a fire. This happens when the debris heats up as the system ignites to generate heat. From perfectly calibrated espresso shots to a typical coffee maker, and everything in between, there are many ways Termites are bad news for any homeowner, and they can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage and repairs to your home. This can sometimes occur after installing new paint, fixtures, flooring, carpet, and other improvements. how to deal with a stinky washing machine! Place baking soda overnight to absorb the unpleasant odor. Contact a professional if you are inexperienced with electrical work because it can be dangerous. Why Did My White Clothes Turn Grey in the Wash? This is common with older vacuums or if with frequent use. You must rule out an electrical fire or actual burning plastic in order to eliminate the potential for catastrophic damage and safety concerns. Components within your HVAC system such as the blower motor contain rubber than can burn out over time and produce a strong smell. Breathing New Life into Old Kitchen Cabinets, Diagnosing and Overcoming Common Lawn Problems, and the Best Car and Boat Cleaning Tool Yet! Itwas themost frightening experience anyone could go through. Homeowners are often very nervous about their homes when it comes to fires. Two huge suspects are either the dryer or washer. If this happens, a professional appliance service technician will need to replace the thermostat and make sure the machine is safe to operate. However, if the smell is severe, you will want to contact the fire department before you contact anyone else. Electrical Fire An electrical fire can cause a burning plastic smell. When you start to smell a burning plastic smell, you have to be very careful about handling it. According to Health.NY.gov, people exposed to strong smells may experience lung, throat, eye, or nose irritation.